Tired houses are a yawn for their occupants and potential buyers when the time comes to sell. We look at some of the simpler ways you can add value and give your home a new lease on life, without turning yours upside down. Lighten up Natural light not only makes rooms brighter and appear larger, […]
Saving can be simple when you know how. Yes, sacrifice is needed to get ahead but you can also be frugal without being a total scrooge. Follow our 50 tips to sneak more savings into your life. Talk to me to see if you can save on one of your biggest outlays – your […]
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again reduce the official cash rate, this time to 1% in a concentrated effort to boost household spending and the economy in general. In making the decision to lower rates again this month the RBA has signalled its focus on supporting employment growth as it looks to […]
When it comes to buying a house, the kitchen is one of the most important features home buyers take into consideration. If your kitchen is more drab than fab, it’s time for a spruce up. Too often when we talk about renovations it can seem overwhelming – too costly, too hard, too time consuming. But […]
With the uncertainty of the federal election behind it, the RBA has decided to reduce the official cash rate to 1.25% as it tries to stimulate household spending and the economy. This is the first rate move since August 2016 and I’d like to share some thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has […]
The RBA has decided to leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% for the 29th consecutive time and we’d like to share some thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. Only twice before has the RBA elected to drop rates during an election campaign and on both those occasions […]
Is the Great Australian Dream to own your own home over? That’s the question on the lips of Millennials around Australia… and indeed many of their parents who are still providing a roof over the head of these 20-plus somethings. Owning your own home used to be considered a rite of passage. Finally, you’ve left […]
The RBA has decided to leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% for the 28th consecutive time and we’d like to share some thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. Following its February meeting, the RBA said the case for the next rate move to be a decrease was […]
If Dorothea Mackellar was here today she might replace her famous poetry line about “ragged mountain ranges” with one about the country’s home price ranges. Just like our natural geography, the nation’s property landscape is one of contrasts. Predicting which markets are on the up and which are heading south is never an exact science […]
As financial markets digest the findings of the Banking Royal Commission, the Reserve Bank of Australia has made its first rate announcement for 2019. The RBA has decided to leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% for the 27th consecutive time. The RBA continues to balance the worrying parts of the economy – inflation […]
As widely anticipated, in the final rate announcement for 2018, the Reserve Bank of Australia has left the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% for the 27th consecutive time. The RBA continues to balance the positive parts of the economy including strong infrastructure spending, increased export earnings and 5% unemployment with some of the negative […]
Christmas is a magical time of year but it’s all too easy to get caught up in the holiday hysteria and end up spending much more than you intended on family, friends and even yourself. We’ve put together a set of tips to help you avoid breaking the bank and falling into debt, making your […]
As the nation stops to enjoy today’s Melbourne Cup, the only sure bet of the day was that the Reserve Bank of Australia would leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% for the 27th consecutive time. Rates remain on hold while the RBA assesses domestic factors including slow economic growth, falling house prices and […]
While prices are a product of supply and demand, it’s worth understanding the factors that sit beneath both sides of the equation. In other words, what drives supply and what drives demand? Incomes Higher household incomes, thanks largely to two-income couples, have seen Australians seek better quality housing, invest more in property and bid-up pricing. […]
The Reserve Bank of Australia has decided to leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% for the 26th consecutive time. I’d like to share today’s rate announcement and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. In making this decision the RBA looks to have balanced low unemployment, strong […]
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% with the last rate move back in August 2016. I’d like to share today’s rate announcement and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. In making this decision the RBA looks to […]
While you’re getting your head around the macro, don’t lose sight of the micro. Median house prices can vary greatly from suburb to suburb. Here’s the local data house-hunters should have to help make an informed decision. Price growth While property is a long-term proposition, it’s worth comparing the last five years of price growth […]
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% with it now being two years since the last cash rate move. I’d like to share today’s rate announcement and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. With a combination of factors […]
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% with the last rate move back in August 2016. I’d like to share today’s rate announcement and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. The economy appears delicately poised with slow wages […]
It’s no secret tax deductions, in addition to capital gains, remain a carrot for property investors. But tax rules have tightened, and the landscape is always shifting, making it hard for the average person to keep up with what’s claimable, and what’s not.With June 30 creeping up, Haven looks at tax impacts for property owners […]
One in two Australian home buyers1 now borrow via a broker. A dip in sentiment towards traditional banks, tighter lending criteria for investors and better-educated consumers have all helped boost mortgage brokers’ popularity over the past decade. There are, indeed, a raft of reasons to turn to a broker for your next home loan. Here are […]
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% with the last rate move back in August 2016. With a combination of job growth slowing from last year’s frenetic pace and stagnant wage growth, the Reserve Bank have signalled that we can expect to see rates remain […]
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% with the last rate move back in August 2016. With a combination of retail deflation (ie the price of retail goods falling) and continued weak wages growth still impacting economic growth, the Reserve Bank have signaled that we […]
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% with the last rate move back in August 2016. I’d like to share today’s rate announcement and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. With a combination of retail deflation (ie the […]
Taking on a mortgage means taking control of your finances. Adding an investment property to your loan portfolio requires additional discipline and planning. With interest rates lingering at record lows, it’s important those taking on another mortgage look beyond the here and now and invest in some long-term thinking. Positive or negative? Positive gearing […]
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% with the last rate move back in August 2016. I’d like to share today’s rate announcement and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. With weak wages growth, continued low inflation and […]
The festive season might be a distant memory but many of us will still be paying for it well into the future. According to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), more than a third of us put our Christmas gifts on plastic, racking up an average individual debt of $1,6661. The Christmas splurge […]
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5% with the last rate move back in August 2016. I’d like to share today’s rate announcement and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. With wages growth remaining modest and concerns emerging […]
With the new year underway, we’ve come to the first rate news for 2018. I’d like to share today’s rate announcement and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. In its first meeting of the year, the Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again leave the official cash […]
It’s a perennial question when it comes to real estate: should you sell at auction or via private treaty? Some sellers prefer the predictability of setting a price, while others are prepared to let their property go to the highest bidder. There is no right or wrong and each vendor’s situation is unique. We’ve put […]
You’ve dog-eared magazines, spent countless weekends at display villages and finally made the bold decision to build rather than buy a home. While choosing where and what to build are exciting and giant steps, you might not feel as enthusiastic about the necessary building contracts and approvals. But knowing your legal rights and responsibilities will […]
“Flipping” might be the new word on the block but Australians have long been part of the reno revolution. Some are looking for fast returns (the flip), while others are upgrading after being in a home for several years. Whichever your strategy, chances are the goal remains the same: to renovate for profit. Here are […]
You’ve done the hard yards and saved a deposit, hunted down the right property and bartered a better price. The Sold sticker is all but slapped on the for sale sign. Then you realise there’s more than the agreed price to consider. If a car has on-road costs, then you might say property comes with […]
We’ve come to the final rate news for 2017, in what has certainly been a jam packed year. We like to share today’s rate announcement and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again leave the official cash rate unchanged at […]
In an age when technology helps us research, shop and even – at times – think, we might wonder what other help we could possibly need when it’s time to buy our next home. But, unless you have weeks of spare time and a brain that can store hundreds of home loans, plus their fees […]
The countdown to Christmas seems an unlikely time to suggest ways to save. But why wait for the New Year to make financial resolutions? We’re tipping the spending season on its head to get your money working harder for you over Christmas and into 2018. Where does it all go? Keep tabs on your spending […]
Despite regulatory attempts to cool their heels, property investors still account for nearly one in three1 residential loans. Even first-time home buyers, who may not be able to own where they want to live, are dipping their toe in the investment market. With many Australians still eyeing property as part of their wealth and retirement […]
While many first home buyers might feel thwarted by escalating property prices in some capitals, plenty are still taking the plunge, spurred by low-interest rates and the great Australian dream of owning your own piece of turf. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics1, first-time buyers currently account for about one in six home loans. […]
With celebrations for the race that stops a nation in full swing, the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to once again leave the official cash rate unchanged at 1.5%. The rate has not changed since September 2016. This outcome was widely predicted by financial commentators. With […]
The trend for adult children to remain in the family home for longer is putting a strain on their parents. But there are ways to make it work for everyone. If you have a happy marriage and a comfortable home, studies indicate it’s more likely your children will delay moving out. Well, they’re not silly, […]
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: we are incredibly proud of all the hard work our brokers put into providing fantastic customer service and support. At AFG we champion our brokers’ ability to find a loan that matches your particular needs, at a time and a place that suits you. Our Victorian […]
If buying or selling for the first time, you might be bamboozled by all the real estate jargon bandied about. Here is our A-Z guide to what it all means. Accrued depreciation The total depreciation of a property over a period of time. Usually the difference between the replacement value at purchase and its present […]
Mention interior designers and most people think glossy magazines, luxe fit-outs and big bucks. But interior designers are not necessarily expensive, and the right advice from the right style guru could add some panache and pizzazz to your décor for fewer dollars than you think. It’s as much about knowing who to use as it […]
After a weekend of football excitement, all eyes were on the Reserve Bank of Australia board meeting today where it was decided to once again leave the official cash rate unchanged for the 14th consecutive month. With regulatory changes to investor lending appearing to have taken some heat out of the Sydney property market, in […]
Switching home loans could help pay down your mortgage sooner, providing you are refinancing for the right reasons and understand what’s involved. Here’s our guide to refinancing to help you make the right move when the time comes. Know the costs Paying 0.5 per cent less per annum on a $250,000 principal-and-interest mortgage will save […]
If you have seen the movie Money Pit, in which Tom Hanks and Shelley Long play a hapless couple whose home renovations plummet from bad to disastrous with every swing of the hammer, it’s easy to see why buyers should be beware. But it’s not just hidden and costly repairs that can snag home owners […]
With spring traditionally a busy time for the real estate market and for rate moves, all eyes were on today’s Reserve Bank of Australia board meeting, where once again it was decided to leave the official cash rate unchanged for the 13th consecutive month. The RBA avoided the temptation to follow other developed economies and […]
There’s nothing we love more than hearing about our brokers’ success in achieving great outcomes for their clients. Last week we recognised the efforts of our Western Australian brokers at our 2017 State Awards event. Are you looking for a broker in your local area? We can help. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners […]
Each year we reward our brokers across Australia for their efforts in helping you find the right loan. Considering using a broker? Read about the service and potential benefits they can provide you. We’d like to give a big congratulations to all of our South Australian award finalists and to the ultimate winners for each category […]
At AFG, we’re very proud of the continued success of our brokers in providing choice for their clients, and 2017 has been a year which has seen them nominated and awarded for this across the country. And it’s not even over yet! We want to make particular mention of South Australian mortgage broking and financial […]
June 30 signals the end of another financial year. There’s still a little time to get this year’s finances in order or take the opportunity to make some resolutions about how you manage your money from July 1. Here are our top tips for a more fiscally fabulous financial year. Manage your mortgage It’s easy […]
Finding the right home loan is as important as finding the right property. There are literally hundreds of home loans available, with new products emerging all the time. An AFG broker can help you find a loan that suits your particular needs, help you complete the paperwork, professionally package it with your supporting documents and […]
Find out what’s involved in taking out a loan, from start to finish. Talk to us, it costs nothing to speak to a friendly and professional AFG broker, who can quickly help find out how much you can borrow and which loan may suit your needs, plus answer any questions about the process. How does […]
Variable Variable rate loans often provide additional flexibility and are the most popular type of home loan in Australia. As the name suggests the interest rate is variable and therefore fluctuates with the Reserve Bank of Australia’s movement and the cost of the financial institution sourcing funds to lend. Variable rates are generally broken into […]
Research and having the right people to help you are the keys when investing in property. It definitely pays to do your research on the property market before you dive in, and we’re thrilled to be on board to help you when it comes to financing your decision. Recent share market slides, tight rental markets […]
Many people refinance their homes or investment properties to reduce their monthly home loan repayments. What other aspects of your finances can you review to help save money? 1. Review the frequency of your home loan repayments If you are paid weekly or fortnightly, see if you can change the frequency of your home loan […]
As time marches on, situations change. Perhaps you’ve changed jobs? Or there’s a new addition to the family? Maybe you would just like a better rate? Maybe it’s the advent of school fees, or perhaps the kids have flown the coop? Or maybe that leaking shower or tired kitchen has just reached the end of […]
My lender is charging me a higher home loan rate than I see advertised elsewhere. Can I change lenders? This is exactly the reason why most people change lenders. There may be a penalty clause in your current home loan, meaning you may need to pay a discharge fee, but it could still be in […]
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to home loans. Make sure you choose a loan with the features and benefits that are right for you. An AFG broker can recommend a loan for your particular needs – and take care of all the paperwork. When you’re ready, talk you your broker to discuss […]
The good news is that there are plenty of simple, low-cost steps you can take to greatly reduce your chance of getting burgled. Remember, it’s all about making your home a harder target to break into than other people’s. Most burglars enter via a garage door, back door, kitchen or bedroom window. Burglar-proof these and […]
Having an AFG broker negotiate finance on your behalf if the smart way to go as they look to save you time, stress, and money. When should I see a broker and what can I expect? You can see an AFG broker at any stage in your financial journey. You might still be saving for […]
We know that buying a home is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in life and that it can be exciting and daunting at the same time. An AFG broker can ensure you’re armed with the all the information you need to help you on your way to owning your home. An AFG […]
Buying your first home is exciting, but it’s a big step to take and one that comes with many questions and decisions. The first big question is how much you can borrow and what your likely repayments will be. That’s where an AFG broker comes in. Your broker is there to do all the legwork for […]
Building your own house can be a wonderful and fun experience – but it can also be a long and expensive process. However, most people cannot afford to pay for the cost of home construction up front, and getting a mortgage can be tricky. After all, you’re asking a bank or a mortgage lender to […]
With the number of first home buyers in the mortgage market continuing to languish near record lows and property prices peaking 1, it’s clear first home buyers need a savvy savings strategy to round up a deposit. But getting ahead is often easier said than done. Life has to be lived and bills need to […]
By the time we save for our first home, upgrade to a bigger or better one, earn enough money to pay the mortgage and bills and live life in between, it’s not surprising many of us don’t contemplate investing in property until we are middle-aged or beyond. But like so many things in life, it’s not […]
The best things in life are free, especially when money is up for grabs. From government benefits to special grants and shopping rewards, there is plenty of funding available if you know where to look. Here’s our guide to help you cash in. Additional rules and restrictions apply in all cases (and are subject to […]
The property booms in Sydney and Melbourne have begun to affect investment lending and have ripple effects for borrowers throughout Australia. Earlier this year, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) grew concerned about skyrocketing property prices. They asked the major banks to ensure their investment lending did not grow by more than 10 percent. When investment lending […]
It’s been more than 25 years since Tom Hanks and Shelley Long showed us the calamitous side of renovating gone wrong in the comedy movie, The Money Pit, but the warnings ring loud and clear today. With a sluggish property market, many homeowners are opting to renovate rather than relocate. Before you hit the hardware […]
By world standards, Australia is a wealthy nation. We have a strong economy with high employment and a far rosier outlook than most developed countries. And yet almost half (47 per cent) of us are anxious about our finances, according to research by the Boston Consulting Group. Finance guru Paul Clitheroe reckons most Australians want […]
