Category: First Time Buyer

20 questions to ask a mortgage broker

Competition between home lenders for your business continues to be fierce even in these economic times, and your choice of provider extends far beyond the big four banks. The challenge is to understand all the products available and which ones would best suit your circumstances. Homebuyers are increasingly looking to mortgage brokers to help them…
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Two ways to get onto the property ladder

If you are thinking of buying your first home, you have an array of purchasing options to consider before plunging into the market. They can be quite bewildering if you don’t take the time to do your research and seek advice. As your local real estate agent, we believe in the keep-it-simple principal. So, let’s…
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Nine Tips to Being a Smart Investor

Successful real estate investors operate on philosophies that help them grow their wealth by building a portfolio of properties. Many limit their risk by diversifying investments in different cities and suburbs, and they will hold a variety of property types, such as apartments and detached houses. When they set out to build their portfolio, the…
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Why it pays to think like an investor when buying your first home

When you’re buying your first home, you’re taking your first step on the property ladder which can set up your wealth for life. It makes sense, therefore, to think strategically to maximise the value of your investment. As a first home buyer, you should begin with the end in mind – that is, consider your…
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What happens at settlement?

For many home-buyers, what happens on settlement day can feel like secret solicitor business. Of course, it’s the day when the deal is truly sealed. You take ownership of your new home, receive the keys and begin the next chapter of your life.  Settlement day affects buyers in different ways – some are excited about…
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How parents can help their kids buy a home

Loan guarantees are possibly the fastest way to help young, first-home buyers enter the market. In most cases, parents will mortgage a portion of their own home to help their children meet property prices that would otherwise be beyond their reach. It’s a popular strategy when a market dips and buyers want to move quickly…
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17 steps to buying a home

Buying a home is one of the most exciting and confronting moments in your life. While the blizzard of paperwork can seem overwhelming, don’t get caught up in the magnitude of the task. Take it one step at a time. There’ll be many people on your journey to help you, including your financial adviser, solicitor…
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How to become a rentvestor

Rent-vesting is an increasingly mainstream strategy for those seeking to break into the property market or expand their portfolio without it having an impact on their lifestyle. It breaks the traditional approach of buying a property and living in it. Instead, you rent in the area you love and buy in the suburb you can…
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10 top tips to save for a home

Saving for a new home or your first home is one of life’s biggest challenges but there are some great approaches to help you achieve you target amount faster. Saving for a property can take many months, even a couple of years. While it can feel a little isolating, many others are out there in…
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What the Royal Commission Means for Buyers

Major changes to obtaining a loan are being put into place after the Royal Commission into Banking revealed rorting and conflict of interest in the operation of some banks and financial advisors. Stricter guidelines are already being adopted across the banking industry and the impact is already evident with a squeeze on credit and downward…
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