Variable loan

The rate wobbles

Friday, November 26th, 2010

With yet another official rate announcement expected in just over a week to cap off the year, there are some sectors of the market with an obvious case of the rate wobbles.
This condition is characterised by the following symptoms: (more…)

Don’t bank on interest rate outcomes

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

It’s one of life’s ironies that a Reserve Bank announcement on interest rates will be handed down on the same day when more Australians than ever are having a flutter on our nation’s most loved horse race.

Because in reality, there’s no banking on the outcome of today’s official interest rate announcement and what it will mean for borrowers. Some odds are in favour of official rates staying as they are – but others are stacked in favour of the banks to raise their rates regardless. Either way – it’s a gamble to try and predict the result. (more…)

Look after your best interest

Friday, October 29th, 2010

In the current climate of rising rates – it’s all about interest.

And I’m not just talking about the interest on your loan, but working out ways to make your mortgage work in the best interests of your financial wellbeing. (more…)

What can you do if your circumstances change?

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

In the midst of planned or unplanned changes to your personal circumstances there is still the issue of finances and often your mortgage to consider. But with some careful thought, there are strategies you can apply to ensure you keep in control of your financial situation, so it doesn’t end up controlling you. (more…)

What women want!

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Julia, Julie, Kristina, Anna, Quentin – and no doubt there’s more to come.

In case you haven’t noticed – there’s a pattern emerging in the world of business and politics where women are slowly, but surely, starting to take centre stage.

And that pattern has also transcended into the world of finance in terms of women empowering themselves in the ways of the property market. (more…)

Beware of the risks of debt consolidation!

Friday, May 14th, 2010

In comparison to income growth, the escalation of household debt over the past 30 years has reached substantial levels.  According to the ABS, the last 18 years have seen the total amount of debt owned by Australian households to rise by almost six-fold.

These figures are not aided by the high interest repayments of credit cards of between 15-10 percent and personal loans having an average rate of 10 percent.  The burden of struggling to meet interest rate repayments can become overwhelming so the concept of consolidating these debts into your mortgage, where rates are around 7 percent, turns into a favourable option. (more…)

Heavily leveraged borrowers will be forced to ‘look outside the square’ to fund significant rises in monthly repayments

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

The rising rate environment is leaving some heavily mortgaged borrowers – particularly those with more than an average $300,000 loan – scrambling to find ways to fund the significant increases in monthly repayments that have occurred since October last year.

With the announcement of a sixth rate rise by the Reserve Bank, these borrowers will be forced to look outside the square for ways to fund the increase in their mortgage repayments and will have to assess all aspects of their lifestyle and spending habits. (more…)