Entries by Jo Carroll

House, apartment or townhouse? The pros and cons of each

There’s much more to property in Australia than just houses or units. And if you’re in the market for a home or investment property, it helps to know your townhouses from terrace homes so that you can choose a place that’s suited to your goals and needs. Australians are blessed with choice when it comes […]

Three financial New Year’s resolutions to tackle 2025 head-on

How are your New Year’s resolutions coming along? If you’re like most people, they’re likely related to health, fitness or abstinence. But why not consider a financial one too? Here are three resolutions worth considering for 2025. There’s no denying that 2024 was a tough year for many mortgage holders – in no small part […]

Merry Christmas! And thanks for your support in 2024!

With the holiday season upon us, we’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to all our amazing clients for your trust and support throughout 2024. With the hope of rate cuts always dangling just out of reach, coupled with inflation, 2024 was tougher than many families anticipated. Please know that we’re always here if you […]

Thinking of buying a holiday home? Here’s what to weigh up

The coming weeks will see millions of Aussies enjoy a well-earned getaway, and for some, a memorable holiday will inspire plans to buy a holiday home. But is it a good idea? And can a weekender still stack up financially? We explain what to consider plus tips to fund a vacation property. It’s that time […]

How to nail a home loan if you’re self-employed

It’s the great Australian dream for many: giving the 9-to-5 grind the flick and running your own show. But when it comes to taking out a home loan, being your own boss can dish up some unexpected hammer blows. Rightly or wrongly, lenders tend to see self-employed borrowers as a higher risk compared to employees. That’s […]

Explainer: how construction loans work

There’s something very special about moving into a newly built home or putting the finishing touches on a major renovation. Maybe it’s the look and feel of new paint and fresh flooring, or just knowing you’ve kicked a worthwhile goal. Whatever the motivation, plenty of Aussies are rolling up their sleeves right now, with the value […]

How long it takes to save a deposit (and how to fast-track it)

Planning to buy your first home? It takes (on average) about five to six years to save a deposit at present. But who’s got the patience to save for six years? Today we’ll look at four ways you could fast-track home ownership. They say patience is a virtue. But the narrator/protagonist of the poem that coined […]