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Should you buy close to the city or out in the suburbs?Buying near the city vs buying further out is a common dilemma.In...
06/09/2026

Should you buy close to the city or out in the suburbs?

Buying near the city vs buying further out is a common dilemma.

In fact, difficulty making this decision even prevents some people getting into the property market. Of course there is a lot to think about but it is not something you need to lose sleep over.

Perhaps this quick guide can help.https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/email/files/shouldwebuyorinvestincityorsuburbs.pdf

Have you spotted a property bargain recently?If you think there may be a few property bargains just waiting for you to c...
06/09/2026

Have you spotted a property bargain recently?

If you think there may be a few property bargains just waiting for you to check them out, why don't you ask me to confirm your borrowing capacity before you go and have a look around?

There have been lots of changes in home loans too, so a bit of homework could be worthwhile.

It doesn't cost anything to find out and usually only takes a few minutes. The least I can do is point you in the right direction and the privacy act ensures our conversation is entirely confidential.

Some of my more astute investors take the opportunity during these times to purchase more investment properties while the market conditions are good.

If you'd like to know more about this, contact me about using your equity to purchase an investment property.

An email or a phone call is all it takes.

Spring has sprung and home buyers are emerging from hibernation. That�s the theory, but the reality is home buyers are o...
04/09/2026

Spring has sprung and home buyers are emerging from hibernation.

That�s the theory, but the reality is home buyers are on the hunt all year round for the right property at the right price.

The economic cycle and how you present your property will have a far greater impact than the weather on how soon it sells and how much it fetches.

While you can�t control the economy (or the weather), there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of buyers vying for your property over another. Here are Haven�s top tips to help you get top dollar for your home.

MAKE SURE THE PRICE IS RIGHT

You can ask whatever price you like, but whether anyone is prepared to pay it is another matter. One of the biggest mistakes vendors make is believing their home is better than anyone else�s. It�s time to put your emotions in check and focus on the facts.

Research the sales prices of similar properties in your area and price within that band. If you would like more than the market can offer, you may need to consider selling in a more bullish market.

One of the best tests of whether your property is priced right is to see how many inspections and genuine inquiries it attracts in the first 30 days. If interest is scant, then chances are your asking price is too high.

As much as vendors and buyers alike believe the selling agent is working against them, the agent is actually the expert who lives and dies by the market. Listen to their feedback and consider lowering your expectations, along with the price, if needed.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

Presentation is everything when it comes to getting the best price for your home. It counts when buyers are scanning the real estate section and online listings, and it counts when interested parties rock up for a walk-through. The aim is to make sure the photos match what they see in person.

Some absolute essentials:

- Fix anything broken.
- Clean all surfaces, including walls, until they gleam.
- Clear away clutter.
- Remove signs of pets.
- Get rid of any odours and stains.
- Tidy lawns and gardens and prune or pull out any plants that are over-grown.
- If your home has a tired-looking fa�ade, give it a good clean with a water jet and consider if anything needs to be patched, painted or replaced. A few thousand spent on a face-lift will help your house stand out from the pack and could help you pocket an extra $10,000 to $20,000 from the sale.

CREATE SPACE

Buyers want to envision themselves in your home so clear clutter to make room for their ideas. Minimise furniture to create the illusion of space, remove knick-knacks, appliances and paper from surfaces and clean out cupboards (yes, people look in them) so they are only half full.

You may need to put your surplus items in storage but the inconvenience will be worth it.

Some sellers are going so far as to shift their existing furniture out and move rented furniture in. Known as staging, this increasingly popular trend aims to transform your home � with the help of a stylist � into something you would see in an interior magazine.

Generally sought by vendors at the upper end of the market, staging can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the type and quantity of furniture rented and how long it�s required.

Those with more modest budgets and abodes might still consider spending a few hundred dollars on a stylist who can recommend how to arrange a room for extra wow.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Enhance the feeling of space further with light. Open blinds and curtains to brighten rooms or, if the window coverings are heavy, consider taking them down altogether. Just make sure your windows are sparkling!

You should also consider the aspect of your home and time of year when setting inspection times. West-facing homes in summer, for example, should be showcased in the morning or early evening rather than in the afternoon when the hot sun is beating on westerly windows.

If having a twilight or evening viewing, use light to create the right ambience. Make sure the front entrance is lit, but not glaring, and consider softening the lighting inside with lower wattage globes or well-placed lamps.

HAVE YOUR PAPERWORK IN ORDER

Show your readiness to sell by having a survey of your property and a building and pest report on hand for prospective buyers. It not only saves them time and money but shows you have nothing to hide.

A building and pest report will also tell you if any repairs are required before you go to market. Most vendors leave it up to the buyers to get the building and pest inspection done. The problem is if the inspection reveals any issues, the buyers then have a bargaining chip to drive down the price.

Better for you to manage the cost of repairs beforehand and leave less room for negotiations.

SOMETHING FOR SEEMINGLY NOTHING

Consider including something extra in the sale. If your outdoor entertainment area wows visitors, include your barbecue or outdoor furniture in the contract. We�re not suggesting you give them away � rather they are built into the asking price.

Other inclusions might be a water or garden feature, furniture that suits the style of house, home theatre equipment or a fridge that fits a certain-sized space. It might be the deal closer and means you have one less item to move.

Discover how to turn your home equity into a better retirement for you.If you have equity stored away in your home, now ...
03/09/2026

Discover how to turn your home equity into a better retirement for you.

If you have equity stored away in your home, now could be the perfect time to tap into it for an investment property.

Equity is simply the difference between the value of your home and what you owe on it. If you have a property valued at $500,000 and owe $200,000 on it, you have $300,000 equity available.

There are a few reasons why the time is ripe for home owners to scout out an investment property.

Firstly, property prices have flattened across most of Australia in the wake of global uncertainty. However, key indicators in the US now point to a recovery there, which our market is likely to follow, especially given our strong economy. So, not only is now a buyer's market but there's a good chance of capital gains in the first few years of ownership.

Secondly, interest rates are low. After the recent drop in official rates, there is strong speculation they won't dip further in the short term.

Thirdly, we still have a housing shortage here in Australia, which continues to drive low rental vacancy rates. That means good properties rent easily.

So, where to begin?

Start with a visit to your local Mortgage Broker to get a rough idea of what you can borrow. Your broker can estimate your equity, talk through the types of loans available and give you a rough idea of repayments. Then you will know what you can afford before you start looking at properties.

You can also do some rough sums beforehand with some of the calculators on our website.

A broker can find the right loan for your circumstances and shop around for the best deal. One of the most popular products among property investors is a line of credit. It acts like a big overdraft at a home loan rate, giving you instant access - as a rule - to up to 80% of the equity in your home. Interest is only paid on the funds you use. It's a very elastic, convenient product. But one word of caution: you need to be disciplined with your cash flow. Easy access to equity can be a temptation for many borrowers to spend up big on depreciating assets that offer no investment value and only add to your overall debt.

Capital gains or rental return?

You should decide whether you want strong rental returns or decent capital growth over the next several years on your investment. If you are in a high tax bracket and looking to create a tax advantage through an investment loss, you will be looking for capital gain.

First-time investors looking to establish a portfolio of properties should also be aiming for capital growth over the next five or so years, as this will establish equity for the next property purchase. However, some investors are not in a hurry for capital growth and prefer their property to be cash positive or neutral from the get go. If that's the case, consider a property in one of the areas with a long-term future in resources, where rents reflect a shortage of housing. Just keep in mind that although the resources sector has a strong future, based on global demand, your investment is entirely dependent on the continued success of one industry.

Right now, the bottom line is that there's potential for both decent capital gains and rental returns for property investors who chose the right property in the right location.

Find the right property

The first rule is to invest in property with your head and not your heart. Remember, you are not buying a home or apartment to live in yourself.

Savvy investors look for properties:

- Close to public transport and other amenities, such as shops or schools, especially in-demand public schools that only accept students in their local catchment.
- That are low maintenance and well maintained.
- In areas with good potential for capital gains.
- In areas with low rental vacancy rates.

Another tip for first-time investors is to stick to familiar turf. It could be near where you live now, where you grew up or previously lived, where you have friends or family or near where you work. Not only are you more likely to feel comfortable investing in a familiar area but you can keep an eye on local trends and the property itself.

You should also find out whether any major infrastructure projects are slated for your target area. New roads, public transport and major developments, such as hospitals, can add significant value to rental properties. Visit www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au for links to the major planning departments in each state.

Managing your investment - and your tenants

Like all investments, rental properties need to be managed. You can be landlord and property manager in one, or pay a professional property manager. If you are busy or live some distance from the property, your money will be well spent on a reputable, reliable manager.

For a small monthly fee (generally 6 to 9% of rent), a good manager will vet prospective tenants, ensure the property is looked after, make sure rent is paid on time, arrange repairs and maintenance and recommend appropriate rent increases. Ask for referrals from other investors and look for an agent who specialises in property management, rather than sales, so you know your rental will not be second fiddle to other activities. You should agree on what your property manager can authorise automatically when it comes to repairs.

It's also important you keep tabs on the local property market to track the equity you build over time, which not only adds to your wealth but could be used towards your next investment property.

If you are thinking of buying your next home - here is a choice you will be facing:Will your life come to an end if you ...
03/09/2026

If you are thinking of buying your next home - here is a choice you will be facing:

Will your life come to an end if you don't have a walk in wardrobe? Is it important for you to have a home cinema, or would you prefer to be in a modest property, within walking distance of great restaurants and sporting facilities?

There are so many choices when you start shopping for a home, and one difficult decision is whether to choose a new home (buying off the plans or buying something recently constructed), or whether to opt for an older property at a better price.

There are plenty of pros and cons to take into account, but here are a few of the main ones:



New Home:

A new home is unlikely to need any ongoing repairs in the short term. Anything that happens in the first seven years should be covered by the builder's warranty. You won't have to worry about the ducted heating breaking down and costing you a fortune to replace.

If something happens and you need to put the property up for sale, a new home is a more attractive option for buyers. It's likely to have more features and conveniences than an older home, and it won't have mustard coloured wall paper (unless you chose that option when you built!)

Like all shiny new things, a new home usually comes complete with a higher price tag, which means higher repayments and greater likelihood of you experiencing financial hardship in the future. You will have less of a financial buffer if things change, like interest rates increase, sudden unemployment, or long term illness.

Usually new homes are built in a more distant location, unless you really are stretching the budget for a new home in an inner city suburb. Because you're likely to be further out, it might take longer to achieve the growth that you would like - especially if the same house and land package is still available just down the road after your home has been finished for several years.

Keep in mind, there will also be additional cost of finishing the home, such as curtains, carpets, landscaping and driveways.



Older home:

If you purchase an older home, it's likely that you will be in a better location with higher chance of capital growth. This means that you could make quite a bit on your investment by hanging onto it for a few years, or you might even choose to renovate in the future which could further boost the value of the property.

It's likely that you will have a lower purchase price with lower repayments, which means a buffer for any unexpected things that might arise.

You will have a better chance of building your investment portfolio in the future by keeping the purchase price down, rather than blowing the budget on building a new home.

It's your personal choice whether you change anything, but there should already be window furnishings, established gardens and driveways so you won't have to finish the dream.

On the flipside, an older home might be less attractive to buyers if you have to sell - or you might end up having to do some renovations to achieve a good price.

There could be a need for ongoing repairs and maintenance which could be very expensive depending on the problem. If you discover a major issue with the foundations of the home, for example, the repair bill could run into the tens of thousands.

One important step if you choose to purchase an older home is to obtain a building and pest inspection report. This will help to ensure that your dream home isn't riddled with termites, or about to slide down the hill.

By world standards, Australia is a wealthy nation. We have a strong economy with high employment and a far rosier outloo...
02/09/2026

By world standards, Australia is a wealthy nation. We have a strong economy with high employment and a far rosier outlook than most developed countries. And yet almost half (47 per cent) of us are anxious about our finances, according to research by the Boston Consulting Group.

Finance guru Paul Clitheroe reckons most Australians want to improve their financial situation but don't know where to start.

Financial literacy is not about getting rich. It's about understanding and putting into action the basics of budgeting, saving, investing and protecting our assets.

"Understanding money helps individuals and families manage financial stress, work towards meeting their goals and assists in securing their financial well-being " Clitheroe says.

We have put together our top tips to help get you started:

1. Stick to a budget

Most people don't stick to a budget because they don't have one. Having a budget not only helps you spend within your means and save, it can ease personal and relationship stress.

Make sure you are realistic and thorough when working out your budget. Include all of your expenses - coffees, lunches, hair salon visits, entertainment, cosmetics and clothes - plus the obvious weekly and monthly necessities, such as your mortgage or rent, groceries and petrol.

It's also a good idea to budget for a whole year so you don't miss large, irregular expenses, such as council rates, car registration, Christmas gifts and holidays. Break these expenses down around your pay cycle so you get a true picture of what you need to spend from each pay and what you have left at your disposal.

2. Break down big bills

The big bills mentioned above can be real budget busters. Some of us are disciplined enough to leave money in our account for a rainy day while some need to set funds aside so we are not tempted to spend.

If you are more of a spender than a saver, set up a separate account for quarterly and annual bills and contribute to it regularly based on your budget breakdown. For example, if you know you have to pay around $400 in council rates each quarter and you get paid fortnightly, set aside $60-$70 from each pay in a separate account.

Apply the same concept to Christmas expenses to ease the squeeze on your credit card and enjoy a debt-free start to the following year!

3. Drive down debt

Most of us have debt. The secret is knowing the difference between good debt and bad. Having a home loan, for example, is healthier than carrying a hefty, high-interest credit card bill. Property is an asset, which has the potential to increase in value over time. Credit cards, on the other hand, are used to pay for depreciating assets, holidays and entertainment. Often the debt you owe far outweighs the value of the original purchase.

Take a pulse check on your debt by looking at how much you owe, what you are paying in interest and how long it will take to pay off. Make a plan to pay down the loans with the highest interest first, even it means cutting back your personal spending for a period.

4. Protect your assets

We work hard to establish our assets, but we don't always make sure they are fully protected if the worst happens. Insurance Council of Australia figures suggest some 70 per cent of homes in Australia are under-insured. Owning a home and not having adequate insurance is a gamble.

Apart from many of us living in areas prone to natural disasters, we all face the risk of house fire.

Make sure your sum insured reflects how much it will cost to rebuild your entire home and replace all of your contents. Some insurers now offer complete replacement policies for the home building where the premium automatically reflects any increases in the building costs.

You should also have some income protection in case you are unable to work. Check the disability cover in your superannuation and consider getting extra income protection to cover any gaps.

5. Money Health Check

To find out how your finances are fairing, take a Money Health Check at https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/.

There are tools to help individuals and households budget, set savings goals and calculate their net worth.

I am always here to check the health of your home loan to make sure it suits your circumstances and is helping you reach your financial goals and if you haven't done this in a while, do get in touch.

Some tips to help you buy your next car for less.Enjoy that new car smell longer.There is something special about buying...
01/09/2026

Some tips to help you buy your next car for less.

Enjoy that new car smell longer.

There is something special about buying a brand new vehicle - the smell... the pristine paint... the purring of a well timed and perfectly balanced motor.
.. So how do you ensure that feeling is not soured as you drive out of the car dealership?

Car dealerships can be a very high pressured sales environment. The salesperson has a number of techniques they will utilise to ensure their bottom line is better than yours.

The most important factor to ensure you obtain a 'good deal' is to do your research before you start negotiating.

When buying a new vehicle, generally a number of individual transactions take place:

1. purchasing your new vehicle,
2. selling your old vehicle, and
3. organising finance.

When negotiating, you should strive to win on each of these transactions.

Before entering negotiations with the salesperson it is recommended you complete the following steps, which are outlined here in my latest factsheet: "Enjoy that new car smell longer!"https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/email/files/enjoythatnewcarsmelllonger.pdf

If you are planning to start a family - these financial tips will help.Are you managing a mortgage and starting a family...
30/08/2026

If you are planning to start a family - these financial tips will help.

Are you managing a mortgage and starting a family?

Many a new parent has been caught out realising our once organised calm life is a thing of the past when we bring our bundle of joy home. It's amazing how tiny babies can turn our household upside down.

We quickly learn that we need to be more flexible about when we eat, sleep, go to the shops and even have a shower.

It helps to be flexible in your financial life too when the impact of a reduced household income and the expense of a new addition to the family start to become apparent.

A little forward planning now can make it easier to focus on what's important later - your family.

Here is a guide with some ideas on how you can relieve the financial pressure of starting, or increasing, your family - Can you manage a Mortgage and a Baby?https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/email/files/amortgageandababy.pdf

Will a new vehicle jump-start your earnings?It�s always important to take stock and consider whether the purchase of new...
28/08/2026

Will a new vehicle jump-start your earnings?

It�s always important to take stock and consider whether the purchase of new assets or equipment will benefit your business. Asset finance is often the answer.

Financing new equipment, instead of purchasing it outright, can be a good way to preserve cash flow and working capital while adding an asset that can begin to generate immediate income.
And, of course, there may be potential tax advantages that could also come your way.

Australia has once again become a nation of savers. No longer is debt de rigeur. In this post-GFC era we prefer to play ...
28/08/2026

Australia has once again become a nation of savers. No longer is debt de rigeur. In this post-GFC era we prefer to play it safe with lower levels of debt and are looking for ways to be debt-free faster.

Savvy savers are making the most of low interest rates and their savings by maximising offset accounts. An offset account is essentially a savings account that is linked to a loan account. Instead of earning interest on your savings deposit, the funds are used to offset the loan account.

Your loan repayment remains the same, but more of it is used to pay off the principal, reducing the life of your loan and slashing the amount of interest paid.



How offset accounts work

Lenders generally offer two types of offset accounts: full offset or partial offset.

A full offset account offers you the same interest rate on your savings as what is charged on your home loan. For example, if you have a $100,000 home loan with interest charged at 6%, plus $10,000 in an offset account earning 6%, the lender will offset your loan balance with your offset account balance and only calculate interest on $90,000.

A partial offset account only offers you a standard savings rate, which is lower than the interest charged on your home loan, so one does not completely offset the other. Using the same example as above, a partial offset account might charge the same 6% on the loan but only offer 4% on the savings. Instead of one lot of interest completely offsetting the other, you would pay a reduced interest rate of 2% (the difference between 6% and 4%) on $10,000 of your loan.

Many borrowers opt for a 100% offset account to take full advantage of this feature, but speak to your broker for more information about this type of account.



Benefits

An offset account still allows you to make extra payments on the loan. However, instead of paying more into your actual mortgage, you maintain as high a balance as possible in your savings. This reduces the interest and life span on your loan but gives you all the access and flexibility of a regular savings account, should you need it.

Some lenders even allow you to set up an offset account with a fixed rate loan, giving you certainty around your payments plus the opportunity to get ahead of the debt.

There is also the added benefit of a tax incentive. Because the interest is essentially not earned, you don't have to include it in your taxable income.



Still in the nest

The key to maximising an offset account is to maintain as high a savings balance as possible. The first step to flesh out your finances is to have your salary paid directly into your savings account. Then it's a matter of keeping your money in the savings account for as long as possible.

One of the most effective tools is a credit card with a generous interest-free period. Look for a lender offering 55 days interest free. While it may seem strange to use credit to save, putting as many costs as possible on a card with a long interest-free period can be an effective loan buster.

The interest-free period allows you to squirrel away as much of your pay, and any other earnings, for as long as possible to maximise your interest earnings. You just need to make sure you pay off your credit card debt in full before the interest-free period runs out.



What you should consider

An offset account can be a very effective strategy to stay one step ahead of your home loan, providing your spending does not outstrip your savings and you leave your funds to grow over time.

You also need savings to start an offset account. The whole concept fails if you don't have any savings to leverage in the first instance. You then need to ensure you can maintain surplus cashflow, especially if taking advantage of a credit card with an extended interest-free period. If that's the case, you will need to be disciplined with expenses, payments and timing. If tempted to put too much on the plastic, the credit card tactic may become a debt trap.

Similarly, if you don't want to be tempted to overspend, you may be better off injecting any spare funds straight into your loan repayments instead of turning to an offset account.

Look for an offset account that still gives you the standard benefits of a regular savings account: ATM, EFTPOS and telephone and internet banking. Although the aim is to maximise your savings, you still want to be able to access and use your funds as you would with any regular savings account.

Lenders also often charge a higher home loan rate for an offset account. Ask your broker to help you shop around for the most competitive option to suit your circumstances.

If you are still paying off your home or an investment property, but also managing to sock away some savings, an offset account could help you be debt-free faster. Talk to your broker about your circumstances to find out which options may work best for you.

Address

7/67 Capestone Boulevard
Mango Hill, QLD
4509

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+61405143116

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