Consumer spending has begun to rise as pandemic restrictions ease and Australians emerge from lockdowns. The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show both sales and profits are improving as consumers become more comfortable in crowds and start to get out and about again. Business turnover increased month-on-month in 12 of the 13…
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First Home Buyers can now use more of their superannuation to buy a home with new changes to the First Home Super Save Scheme introduced by the Federal Government. First-time buyers will now be able to increase their savings in the First Home Super Saver Scheme from $30,000 to $50,000, making it easier to save…
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Building and renovation costs continue to rise, making it more important than ever to budget accurately. Construction costs in Australia rose 7.3% in 2021, according to the latest Cordell Construction Cost Index. It’s the steepest rise since 2005 and a lot of the blame is being placed on the Covid pandemic. The index – owned…
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Demand for home loans continues to run at record levels, according to the latest ABS figures. New mortgage commitments were 4.4% higher in December, totalling $32.8 billion. These results were accompanied by a 5.3% rise in the value of home loans compared to November 2021. If you’re considering whether to refinance your existing property or…
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Selling your home in early 2022 could be the perfect time to maximise the value of your property and take advantage of record-low interest rates, says the Chief Economist at Ray White, Nerida Conisbee. With demand for property still powering ahead after a stunning 2021, Nerida believes you should act decisively if you’re thinking about…
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A home loan is likely to be the most significant personal financial commitment you’ll ever make, so it makes sense to use the experts. With so many mortgage alternatives on the market from banks, building societies and other non-bank lenders, it’s a challenge to find the product that’s ideal for you. Mortgage brokers offer their…
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Applying for your first mortgage can be nerve-wracking! The amount your lender offers you as a mortgage can make or break your ability to purchase your dream property in your ideal suburb. Your first goal must be to secure pre-approval. This is the conditional promise of a mortgage that allows you to make an offer…
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If you’ve been considering refinancing your loan or buying a new home, you may have heard that lending rules have changed. With record-low interest rates and banks trying to undercut each other in the variable rates market, the lending market has been hot. APRA – the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority – has now stepped in…
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When an agent has told you the property you’re about to view has “good bones”, have you wondered what they meant? It’s a familiar phrase in real estate to describe a house that might be old but has retained its structural integrity. So, if you wanted to upgrade the property, you shouldn’t find yourself spending…
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One renovation that can have a big impact, and take quite a bit of planning is updating your windows. It’s not a cheap exercise, and the essential question is whether it’s a good investment. Payback can come in a couple of ways – an improvement in the value of your home and a reduction in…
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