It’s the ultimate property conundrum – buy or rent? The answer is: it depends. Annoying, right? But don’t be discouraged. It’s not an impossible question to answer. It just means the key factors you need to consider – prices, rent, interest rates – are constantly shifting. It’s worth diving into…
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2023 will ring in changes to stamp duty and home-buyer schemes around the country. Here’s a quick fly-over of shifts at national and State level set to kick in this year. NATIONAL Help to Buy The Albanese Government’s flagship housing policy Help to Buy is expected to launch in July this…
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Don't let them do a dash with your cash. As if Aussie home buyers didn't have enough to contend with, now the soaring price of real estate has drawn the attention of international cyber criminals who have stolen deposit and sales payments totalling millions. Hackers are targeting loose security around…
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Who knew selling eggs at the garden gate could void your home insurance? Apparently not many people, including the Victorian homeowners who have found themselves at the centre of an insurance nightmare that should prompt everyone with a side hustle to check their coverage. It seems having an Australian Business…
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Haven's tips to keep the Grinch at bay as interest rates rocket. The message is loud and clear. The Reserve Bank of Australia wants households to tighten their belts to keep a lid on inflation. And to do it they're making sure we all have less to spend after paying…
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Millions of Australians on low fixed-rate loans will be bracing for impact when they expire in the next year. It's time to get prepared to manage the bill shock of coming off a fixed rate. Don't panic but start planning Until recently, many Australian mortgage holders have only ever experienced…
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Navigating the dos and don'ts of investment property returns. Rental properties and holiday homes are once again in the sights of the Australian Tax Office, which has had growing success identifying erroneous claims. Last year about 70 per cent of returns related to investment properties audited by the ATO had…
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Renovating for profit can be a tricky business in a cooling market. But it's more a science than an art if you know the pitfalls. Here are six common mistakes to avoid. 1. Not having a plan This obvious but common error is responsible for a host of renovating sins,…
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House prices have surged, meaning hidden costs associated with buying a home have jumped too. If you're on the hunt for a new property, it's worth checking your budget still covers the extras that can add tens of thousands to your costs. In the past two years, the average house…
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It may be an admirable trait in personal relationships, but in financial matters, loyalty can come at a cost. Sticking with the same loan longer than three years can cost borrowers thousands, with competition to win business resulting in new customers paying lower rates than existing ones. This so-called loyalty…
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