Helen Smith Credit Advisor

29/09/2021

25/09/2020

I have been reading an interesting article regarding scams & fraud and how you should guard against it. Thought I would share it with you. It's been put out by AFCA which is the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.

Please feel free to share it if you find it informative. If you want to know more call me on 0414285868.

Scammers use dishonest or illegal activities like phishing, fraudulent behaviour and threats to steal personal or financial information. AFCA sees a wide variety of complaints involving scams including investment, romance, invoice hacking, telecommunication, and Australian Government agency scams (s...

03/09/2020

10 years with Mortgage Express! plus another 5 with Loan Market! plus another 14 with St George! too many years to go back any further. This industry has been good to me. Thank you Dapto Harcourts for helping me celebrate.

This lady had been part of our Harcourts family for as long as we have. She is happy, kind and works hard to ensure her clients needs are met. She is celebrating 10 years with Mortgage Express and we hope she is around as part of our team for many more. Here’s cheers to Helen, if you know Helen, give her a shout out!

27/08/2020

How much do you spend each month on living expenses? These expenses do not include any loan repayments, rent, savings etc, it is the figure that you & your family spend just to live in your current property.
Why do I need to know I hear you ask?
All lenders must look at your situation and your living expenses are a major part of helping them assess whether you can afford your new loan.
Things that people often forget are the takeaway foods you grab on the go, the money spent on your weekly date night, the gym membership, the subscription to your favourite magazine & Foxtel etc.
Before you approach the lender for your next loan, make sure you have a full breakdown of all your expenses as it will really help in assessing your borrowing potential.

There are some fabulous fixed rates available at the moment. Have you even seen a 1.99% rate? Well it’s here! Fixed for 3 years.

23/07/2020

Here are the new figures for Job Keeper and Job Seeker from Sept

14/06/2020

Spending for your business now extended.

The federal Treasurer has extended the $150,000 instant asset write-off scheme by six months to help businesses buy new and second-hand assets and help improve cash flow.

27/05/2020

I'm trying to get the grandchildren to save. Maybe this will help.

22/05/2020

Are you looking for a new loan as the rate you are on now is too high? Do you even know what rate you are on now? Many lenders are offering cash incentives for you to refinance to them - anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 is currently being offered. If you want a rate around 2.29% and get some cash back too, call me! Care though, as some lenders have huge backlogs of over a month to get to your application, so check with me first if you want to look at your options. I always say though, don't forget to call your current lender and see what they will offer you to stay first - that maybe enough to have your current rate dropped. Its worth a try.

01/05/2020

Do you have a loan with redraw available where you park spare cash? Be careful currently, as a few banks are rumored to be putting a hold on any redraw & not allowing clients access to it.
This is done when Lenders are expecting a tightening of credit so they have control of major cash withdrawals. If you have an offset account & may want that redraw amount in the future, just move it over into your savings offset now. You can always move it back when things settle down.

12/04/2020

In search of activities to keep the little ones busy over the Easter long weekend? Mortgage Express is here to help!

The MX team has pulled together our favourite, delicious recipes and a heap of fun-filled crafts and games to help bring a little Easter cheer to you and your family this long weekend.

Simply click on the link below to download your copy of our Hoppy Easter Activity Booklet.

https://bit.ly/2JROoMQ

19/03/2020

If you have experience with your lender negotiating a Hardship Clause I would love to hear from you. Please PM me directly.

19/03/2020

I’ve just been reading some feedback from other brokers trying to help their clients & there has been mixed feedback.
One broker has said their client approached their lender who was told that “yes we can give you 3 months of no repayments but you have to make that up at the end of 3 months”. That is not good. Let’s hope commonsense prevails as no one know how long this will last.
Another has said “yes half repayments are acceptable & let’s look at things at the end of 6 months”. That is more acceptable.
Don’t accept the lenders option if you don’t think that would be a benefit to you. Call me & I can make sure it’s in your best interest!