What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 6pm Wednesday 8am - 6pm Thursday 8am - 6pm Friday 8am - 6pm Saturday 8am - 6pm

http://www.mortgageoffice.com.au/

Mortgage Office, 7/67 Capestone Boulevard, Mango Hill (2026)

02/11/2026

Did you know that three in 10 mortgages arranged by mortgage brokers are in rural and regional areas, improving access to home lending for rural and regional Australians � in locations where there may be few or no bank branches. https://www.afgonline.com.au/broker/keep-competition-alive/

https://youtu.be/zsjxPB6ITRg

31/10/2026

Face the future with greater certainty with a fixed rate home loan.

One in five Australians taking out a home loan is now opting to fix their interest rate, according to a recent AFG Mortgage Index.

Not only are fixed rates proving popular in the midst of global economic uncertainty, many borrowers are cashing in on unprecedented, increased competition around fixed rate loans.

Traditionally, lenders have set fixed rates a smidge above the average variable rate. At the moment, however, many institutions are offering fixed rates below others' variable rates, prompting savvy borrowers to shop around.

The main benefit of a fixed rate is certainty. Regardless of shifts in the economic sands, your mortgage repayments stay the same, allowing you to budget with more confidence. If official interest rates rise, your mortgage repayments are unaffected. On the flip side, of course, if interest rates drop, you won't benefit.

With experts wavering on whether local interest rates will go up, down or nowhere over the next 12 months, now could be an opportune time to take advantage of special offers around fixed rates.

Some lenders, for example, are offering fixed rates at 0.8 per cent lower than the standard variable rate of other institutions. On a $300,000 loan, that equates to a $200 saving in interest each month.

Fixed rates are generally based on what the economy may do over the next three to four years, while variable rates are more aligned to the current cash rate, set by the Reserve Bank of Australia. At the moment, this is overlaid with the fact lenders are looking to drive movement in the market through competition.

Although Australia's economy is deemed very stable against the backdrop of the European debt crises and slow economic recovery in the United States, home owners have been happy to sit on the sidelines to see how it all plays out before making any decisions about buying and selling.

As a result, many financial institutions have been trying to entice us back in the game with competitive fixed rates.

As with all borrowing situations, your decisions should be based on your circumstances and financial goals. However, there are some basic pros and cons that apply to fixed rates that you should consider.

The biggest benefit of a fixed rate, is knowing exactly what your repayments will be for a set period - usually one to five years. This can be a real advantage if you are considering a career change, starting or expanding a family or have kids moving into private education, because it can ease the stress of budgeting.

On the downside, fixed rate loans tend to be more restrictive than variable ones. You usually can't make additional payments, plus lenders generally charge high break fees if you want to exit the loan during the fixed period.

If you want to tap into the benefits of both a fixed and a variable rate, consider splitting your loan so a portion of your debt is exposed to shifts in official rates - up or down - and the rest is locked into a set rate.

With official interest rates sitting at affordable levels and question marks hanging over which way they will head over the next 12 months, it's worth chatting with your local Mortgage Broker about fixed rates and what the market has to offer. It may be just the move to help you face the future with some certainty.

31/10/2026

Did you know that approximately 80% of Australians end up on some form of government assistance in retirement?

Did you also know that ONLY 20% of Australians invest in property?

Coincidence you think? I'd say not.

You could probably afford an investment property for less than the repayments on a small car. So rather than upgrading your car as soon as it is paid off, consider building wealth for your future.

Have a look at this short article for more details - Are You Driving Your Investment Property.pdfhttps://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/email/files/areyoudrivingyourinvestmentproperty.pdf

30/10/2026

How to buy with a friend - without killing the friendship or your credit rating

Have you ever heard the expression, 'no friends in business'?

It's an oldie but a goodie.

This is the attitude you should bring when considering buying property with a friend.

Many good friendships have gone under the bus, and lots of people have taken a bullet to their credit rating by not giving this decision adequate thought.

So what are the risks involved with co-ownership, especially when you purchase with a friend?

What if one owner wants to sell?

One of the biggest problems with co-ownership is when one owner decides they want to sell the property, but the other owners don't agree.

This often ends up in court, and the process can be costly and upsetting for everyone. And needless to say - the friendship probably won't survive.

Buying could be harder in the future.

It might seem like the dream scenario to invest now with your best friend.

But if you decide in a few years to purchase a home to live in, the lender will assess your financial commitments based on the whole loan for the first property, not just the portion that you agreed to cover.

This could make it very difficult for you to get another loan.

You could be left holding the baby.

If something happens and your friend is unable to make their repayments, you could be left in the difficult situation of repaying the entire loan by yourself.

Coupled with your other living expenses, you might not be in a position to cover the whole amount yourself.

But there are some ways that you can reduce the risk, if you are keen to purchase property with a friend:

1) Put a legal will in place. It's important to make arrangements for what will happen to your assets if you pass away or become incapacitated.

2) Draw up a co-ownership agreement. If you can think about any issues that might possibly come up in the future, and have an agreement in place to solve them, you're less likely to wind up in court trying to work things out.

3) Choose the right structure - tenants in common, or joint tenants. Tenants in common can own a different portion of the property, and they need to specify in their will who will inherit their portion if they die. Joint tenants jointly and equally own the property, and if one person dies, their share automatically goes to the other(s) regardless of the instructions in their will.

4) Choose the right person. It's important to discuss your financial goals and values before you enter into this sort of arrangement. You need to feel comfortable knowing that your friend will be financially secure enough to keep up their end of the bargain - otherwise you might be left trying to cover the repayments alone.

It's important to think about your own relationships as well, if your partner is keen for you to buy a house together next year, you might want to think about how this first investment might impact your borrowing power.

30/10/2026

How many ways can you buy a swimming pool?

Question: How many ways can you buy a swimming pool?
Answer: At least 8 different ways that I can think of.

And not all of those ways may be suitable for everyone - here is my list.

Not everyone wants a swimming pool either. But perhaps a new car, maybe a boat, a motorbike or a decent holiday? A caravan or a new garage? An aeroplane even?

Doesn't really matter what it is, but if you need to spend a serious amount of money, it may be worth looking at some of the things you can do with your home loan to facilitate your new purchase.

You see, 6 of those 8 different ways I mentioned actually involve your home loan, so it's probably worth a look first, just to make sure.

That's where I can help. It doesn't cost anything to check out what would work for you, and then you can actually make an informed choice.

The least I can do is point you in the right direction and the privacy act ensures our conversation is entirely confidential.

What do you think?

Contact me and we'll see where you stand.https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/email/files/8waystobuythatpool.pdf

28/10/2026

Renovate or Evacuate? The pros and cons of renovating your home to sell.

So, you've decided it's time to sell your property. Perhaps your family has grown and everyone needs some space. Or maybe the kids have left the nest and you're ready for less maintenance and more travel.

You want to get the maximum price for your property with minimum fuss. But how much work should you do to prepare your home for sale?

If you like to watch a lot of DIY shows, you might have always dreamed of doing your own renovation rescue, and raking in the profits. But how much is too much to spend? Does it really mean a better selling price if you invest your life savings in a new kitchen?

Before you run down to the hardware store, let's look at the pros and cons...

Pro - Your property will appeal to people who don't want to renovate - such as families and professional couples.

Con - Your property will not appeal to buyers looking for a project of their own, and you could alienate these potential buyers.

Pro - You will add value to the property and take advantage of the profits, rather than leaving someone else to reap the rewards.

Con - The whole thing could backfire and you could spend loads on renovating without making much on the sale of the property.

Pro - Renovating could give you a competitive edge when there are similar properties for sale in the area.

Con - Buyers might not love your purple feature walls as much as you thought they would, and your taste could drive them away.

Pro - It might be just plain necessary to do some work before you can sell your property, depending on the condition.

Con - Renovating can be a real pain in the proverbial - are you ready for mess, stress and lots of aching muscles?

So how do you decide? There's no simple answer here, I'm sorry to disappoint you! If the pros and cons have your head spinning, try speaking with a few real estate agents. They should be able to give you an idea of what work should be done to achieve the price you want.

28/10/2026

So, you're thinking about upgrading your home. Maybe your kids are getting older now and it's time to find a place with a big backyard.

Most new home owners will make the decision to upgrade before long - but for many young families, a lack of planning can spell disaster when upsizing the family home. Before you start shopping around for a real estate agent, take a few minutes to ask yourself a few simple questions.

Why do you want to move?

Be clear about your reasons for upgrading. Buying an enormous home won't necessarily mean greater capital growth in the future. Sometimes the greatest growth is in the lower end of the market. If you want to upgrade simply to grow your property portfolio, consider purchasing an investment property instead.

Where do you want to be?

If you're upgrading to give everyone some space, consider the area that you want to live in. You might be able to afford a much bigger home by moving an extra 15 minutes from the city. It all depends what sort of lifestyle you want to maintain.

What are the real costs?

Investigate all of the costs associated with upsizing your home. That means, not just the additional mortgage payments, but increased utility bills, perhaps a longer commute to work, more furniture to fill the additional space etc. It's important to know exactly how much the move will cost you - not just the initial purchase.

What about interest rates?

Could you afford to borrow an extra $150,000 if the interest rates were 2% higher? Make sure you take into account some interest rate rises when you work out what you can afford to borrow. Although a lender might offer you the funds, that doesn't mean that they know everything about your lifestyle and budget.

Will I change my lender?

You might take the opportunity to shop around for a better deal on a loan before you purchase your new property. It's important to keep in mind though, there could be charges associated with paying out your current mortgage, and there will probably be some establishment fees involved in taking out a new loan. These fees should be part of your decision-making process.

It's also important to ask your mortgage broker about Lenders Mortgage Insurance. LMI is generally payable when you borrow more than 80% of the purchase price. Depending on your purchase amount, LMI could add up to several thousand.

Did you answer all of the above questions, and still want to upgrade your home? Great! There's nothing wrong with wanting to move on to greener pastures. But to avoid putting yourself under financial strain, it's always important to do your homework.

27/10/2026

Switching home loans could help pay down your mortgage sooner, providing you are refinancing for the right reasons and understand what�s involved. Here�s our guide to refinancing to help you make the right move when the time comes.

Know the costs:
Paying 0.5 per cent less per annum on a $250,000 principal-and-interest mortgage could save you around $23,000 over the life of a 25-year loan. That�s a sizeable chunk of change back in your pocket over the long term, but there are usually up-front costs associated with switching loans, especially if moving to a new lender.

Know the costs of exiting your current mortgage loan before switching. Depending on the type of variable rate loan you have, the lender may apply fees if you choose to bow out. If you are on a fixed rate loan, a cost will usually apply when paid ahead of the agreed timeframe.

You should also factor in any set-up costs for your new loan, which can be several hundred dollars, and any ongoing account fees.

Only once you have factored in all of the associated costs will you be able to assess whether you gain financially by refinancing, and that�s where we can help you make the right decision.

Compare products and service:
A lower interest rate is a great reason to switch but it shouldn�t be the only deciding factor. Make sure the new loan is flexible enough to meet your needs and help you get ahead as quickly as possible. Some benefits to consider:

Can you make fortnightly repayments? You could pay off your loan quicker making payments every two weeks instead of monthly.

Can you make lump sum payments? Any extra repayments above and beyond your regular schedule will shave dollars and time off your loan.

Does the new loan offer a redraw facility? It�s great to stash extra cash in your mortgage to pay it down quicker but if you think you may need it back at some point, make sure your new loan lets you access those excess funds.

To fix or not to fix? We�re still enjoying low interest rates on the back of the historic lows the Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate is at, but make sure with any change you consider you have some wriggle room for if rates do rise. Make sure you�re future�proofing at every turn.

What features are important to you and think about the ones you could do without. Why pay for the bells and whistles attached to a loan if you don�t use them? Different features when it comes to technology, service and availability rank differently for everyone, so figure out what�s important to you and we�ll help you match it with the right product and the right lender.

Working with us to sharpen the pencil. Just one of the benefits of having us on side when it comes to your finance is our ability to work with the right lenders on the right price when it comes to things like your rate and your ongoing fees.

Switch to save:
Many borrowers refinance to consolidate debts, bundling credit card balances, personal loans or car payments into their mortgage, which usually carries a much lower interest rate. The benefit is lower minimum payments on your debts overall, which can be a benefit for cash flow. But that doesn�t mean you are saving on your home loan. Try to make the most of the lower rate to knock down the total debt quicker so you are not simply adding to the duration of your mortgage. And make sure you cancel any credit cards once you have transferred the balances into your mortgage so you are not tempted to rack up more debt.

Direct your debits:
If you switch to a new loan, make sure you also switch any direct payments and debits. It�s easy to lose track of what�s being paid, and how and when. Run through the most recent three months of statements for your original loan to identify any direct payments, and notify the biller as soon as possible so you don�t jeopardise your credit rating. You should also give your employer your new account details if your wages are paid directly into your mortgage.

Check your borrowing power:
One of the biggest oversights borrowers can make when shopping for the right home loan deal is their current financial situation. Has it changed since you took out your original loan? If the answer is yes, and it�s not for the better, you may find your borrowing power has shrunk, which could limit your refinancing options.

You may have: started a family and no longer have two full-time incomes; switched careers and now earn less; started your own business, creating a less regular income stream; accumulated other debt, such as credit cards or car finance; or eroded your credit rating through late payments. Any of these factors can impact your borrowing credentials, and may give you fewer bargaining chips than when you took out your original loan.

Do a thorough assessment of your total income, expenses, outstanding debts and credit rating so you understand your true financial position before shopping around.

Talk to your broker:
Take the time and stress out of shopping for a new loan by letting us as your mortgage broker handle it for you. We have access to multiple lenders with multiple products, allowing us to cast a wider net than you probably can on your own to find a home loan deal that suits your needs and circumstances. Brokers can also often gain access to lenders who are happy to take on self-employed borrowers, or those who don�t advertise heavily to consumers, but still offer competitive home loans. The benefits of having us onside are numerous; and the reason that now more than 52 per cent of Australian borrowers use a mortgage broker to arrange their finance.

27/10/2026

Choosing the right type of loan is the first step.

The first step in getting a low cost loan is choosing the right type of loan.

There are various types of home loans, all offering different rates and features:

- Honeymoon and Intro Rate loans
- Basic or "No Frills" loans
- Standard Variable rate loans (usually good to avoid these in my opinion)
- Fixed Rate loans
- Equity and Line of Credit Loans
- Offset Home Loans
- Professional and Discount Home Loan packages
- Bridging Loans

For more details read my guide to "Choosing the right loan".https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/email/files/choosingtherightloan.pdf

24/10/2026

Have you considered a second residence on your property?

Home owners looking to invest in a rental property without taking on significant debt are finding a solution in their own backyard.

The granny flat is regaining popularity as a solution to tight rental markets, an ageing population and metropolitan land shortages, thanks to more relaxed legislation in some parts of Australia.

Whether it's actually for granny, an adult child or an unrelated tenant, a second residence on your existing property can bring benefits, if you do your homework.

Not just a room for rent

Different states have different rules but generally granny flats:

Can be built only on residential blocks 450 square metres or larger that are not strata title, subdivided or community title property.
Must be owned by the same person(s) as the main dwelling.
Can have no more than 60-70 square metres of living space (patios, verandas or carports can be additional).
Can be attached to the primary dwelling or freestanding.
Must have a separate entrance (even if attached to the main house).
Regulations regarding construction and occupancy differ between states and territories, so do your homework before finalising plans. Planning rules can also vary among councils.

Managing up

Having the grandparents close by has all sorts of family advantages, providing everyone gets along! One of the biggest perks, apart from having built-in baby- sitters, can be lightening the financial load for both the senior and junior parties.

Often parents agree to cover the cost of building a granny flat as an affordable alternative for their retirement, while their child can benefit from increased value to their property and possibly a rental income further down the track.

But don't assume a granny flat will instantly add value above and beyond its cost. Often the value is derived from the opportunity for an extra income to help pay down the mortgage on the primary residence faster.

It will depend on the housing market in your area as to whether a second residence adds to the overall value of your property - another reason to do your homework.

It's also important you get legal advice for your circumstances so if someone dies or has to go into care, or the younger family decides to sell, the financial implications are clear for everyone involved.

Still in the nest

A granny flat can be a win-win for parents whose adult children are still attached to the family home and all of its convenience. The separate residence gives both parties privacy, while the younger generation can get a taste of independent living and save on rent.

Parents may have to set some clear boundaries with this option because, although the kids are at arm's length, they are still under your nose and may still need to abide by your house rules.

Investing close to home

Taking the plunge into investment property can be daunting for home owners. With a granny flat, you can dip a toe without hefty debt and be positively geared from the get-go. For an investment of around $120,000 in a capital city, you are likely to reap $220-$330 a week in rent.

Talk to local real estate agents to gauge the local rental market. Granny flats (either attached or detached) often appeal to single women who appreciate the extra security of someone else living on site or young people studying from out-of-town or overseas, especially if your residence comes fully furnished.

You should also research whether a one or two-bedroom residence would be more rentable in your neighbourhood.

Tax implications

Capital gains tax (CGT) doesn't apply to your main residence, no matter how much it appreciates in value from when you buy to when you sell. You can even rent it out for six years, CGT-free, providing you don't claim another property as your main residence for that same period.

However, the CGT exemption may no longer apply for part of your property when you add a granny flat, which means you may have to pay CGT when you sell up.

The rules can be complex and a little blurry, and hinge around how the granny flat is used, so make sure you get independent, professional tax advice to fully understand the tax implications for your situation.

Need extra money to fund the build?

Talk to your broker if you are considering creating a second residence. It might be a good opportunity to review your home loan and find a deal to better suit your circumstances.