If you’re meeting our brokers for the first time, it’s helpful to have some questions up your sleeve. You’ll get more out of your conversation and clarity about how we can assist with your home loan needs.

To help you, here are some questions that you can ask us.  

1.    What fees will I be charged as part of my home loan?  

While we won’t charge you a fee for our services, there are fees that you’ll have to pay when applying for a loan. Examples include an application fee, property valuation fee, and lenders mortgage insurance. We can give you a breakdown of fees and ways to reduce or avoid them.

2.    What documents do I need for an application?  

There’s a lot of paperwork involved in a home loan application. To speed up the process, ask us for a checklist of documents we’ll need from you. These include a passport, driver’s license, payslips and bank statements.

3.    What home features should I consider?

It can be tricky to work out what features you need from a home loan. Ask us about our recommendations on features, what they do, and how they can benefit you.   

4.    Why is this loan right for me?   

Based on the information you give us, we’ll provide a list of potential home loan products to consider. You can ask us to explain what each one includes and why we think they’re suitable for you.

5.    How can I improve my chances of being approved?

Every lender has its own approval process. We’ll walk you through the steps you can take to improve your chances of getting your application approved.

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Remember: there are no such things as silly questions. Buying a home can be complicated, but we’re here to make the process as simple as possible. To book an appointment with us, contact us today.

In recent months, there’s been a lot of volatility in the market. We’ve seen interest rates increase and the share market fall, and now economists are predicting a global recession. If you’re an investor, it’s easy to be spooked by the news and feel the pressure to make reactive decisions – but choices driven by emotion can end up costing you down the track.

Here are our three tips for weathering market fluctuations.

Stay focused on your goals

Setting goals provides a road map for your financial success. When the market is volatile, you’ll be less inclined to make rash decisions as your focus will be on your long-term strategy.

When it comes to setting goals, a good rule of thumb is to make them SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Importantly, your goals should be yours and not influenced by others.

Be open to opportunities

A good investment tip is to widen your investments through diversification. With this strategy, you allocate your investments across various asset classes such as shares, property, bonds and private equity. It reduces risk as different assets do well at different times. So, if the return on one investment is falling, the return on another may rise, which offsets the poor performer. 

Investors naturally become nervous when there’s a market downturn, but it can offer some opportunities. For example, you may be able to buy assets at discounted prices. The key is to act cautiously but be vigilant in monitoring the market for possibilities.  

It’s not about timing the market, but your time in the market

Timing the market is a strategy in which investors try to buy stocks before their prices go up and sell them before their value goes down. But it’s extremely difficult for many investors and is financially risky. Instead, take a long-term view of investing where your focus is spending time in the market. By doing this, you’ll ride out various market cycles, which increases your chances of achieving a positive outcome.  

Got questions about investing? Contact our team today.  

There are a number of ways you can improve your financial health, achieve your goals and be prepared for any unexpected emergencies. The key is to pay attention to where your money is going. Here are five things you can do to take charge of your finances:
 

Make a budget

We’re sure you’ve heard this one a million times already, but making a budget and sticking to it is key to managing your finances. People generally know how much they earn but are always surprised to find out where their money goes. So be reasonable with your budget; otherwise, it’s going to be difficult to stick with it. 
 

Manage your debts

Managing your debts is another key component of good money management. It’s much easier to achieve your financial goals when you don’t have a lot of debt, so be mindful of how much you’re borrowing and what it is for. Keep in mind that there is good debt and bad debt, so consider whether borrowing money for an item that will depreciate (bad debt) is really worth it. 
 

Save and invest

Regularly saving a portion of your income can help you with big purchases, and can give you peace of mind that you’ll be able to handle any unexpected purchases. Whatever your goals, it’s a good idea to get in the habit of saving regularly. It’s never too late, and be sure to include this in your budget! 
 

Improve your credit score

Improving your credit score is important if you wish to borrow money someday. Ensuring you pay your creditors on time is one way of getting a good credit score. Also, having a good credit score means you will gain access to better loan terms and lower interest rates. 
 

Have an emergency fund

Saving for a rainy day means setting aside around three to six months of your living expenses. Remember, this money should only be used when there is an actual emergency, such as losing your job or needing to pay for expensive medical bills.
 
If you’d like to know more about improving your financial health, get in touch today.  

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When it comes to applying for finance, lenders need to make sure they can rely on you to pay them back — and your credit score will give them a good indication of how you handle your finances.

Not sure if you’ve got a credit score? Well, if you’ve ever borrowed money, signed up for a mobile plan, or have a power bill in your name, then you’ll likely already have a credit score.

What is a credit score?

Your credit score is a numerical representation of how you manage your debts and financial obligations. The number may change each month, depending on whether you pay your bills and other debts on time.

Before 2014, credit reports contained very little information, focusing only on the number of credit applications and any negative behaviour. The good news is, most credit reports are now much more comprehensive, which means they also report on all your good behaviour, too!

When you apply for a loan or credit card, lenders may look at your credit report to see how healthy your credit score is. The report is a record of your credit history and includes whether or not you pay your creditors on time. 

You can keep your credit score healthy by paying your bills — including credit cards — on time. You might also want to keep applications for credit to a minimum because you don’t want lenders thinking you’re racking up debt left, right and centre.

Need access to your credit report?

It’s important to know what your credit score is if you want to apply for finance. All Australians have free access to view their credit report once every three months. When was the last time you accessed yours? Ask us how.

Why rent when you can buy? This has been the catch cry of developers, real estate agents, banks, and probably your parents (and their parents). The thinking is that if we’re going to be paying for somewhere to live, then it makes sense to channel that money into an investment.

There are many reasons why we might choose to rent at various points in our lives, however this doesn’t mean turning our back on the Great Australian dream of home ownership. This is where the concept of rentvesting comes into play.

But first, what is it?

Rentvesting is where you rent in the suburb of your lifestyle dreams, while buying in the suburb of your fiscal reality.
It’s not a bad way to get into the property market, because it means you get to lock in today’s prices without having to move to a suburb that may not appeal to you.
And let’s face it, the ‘housing bubble’ that naysaying commentators have warned of for eons shows no sign of popping, so there are definite upsides to entering the market sooner rather than later.

Any downsides?

This article is not to be confused with advice, of course, so definitely get in touch if you’d like our expert guidance.
What we will say is there are a few things to be mindful of when considering rentvesting as a wealth building strategy.
First, you wouldn’t be eligible for any of the first home buyer’s grants – as these only come into play when you’re purchasing an owner-occupied property.

Second, it’s not necessarily a landlord’s market these days, so make sure you do your due diligence when researching how much rental income you can expect. Speak to a local agent for insight into the property market, and think about how you’d manage – cashflow-wise – if you didn’t consistently have good tenants.

Third, capital gains tax (CGT) is applied to the profit you make when you sell an investment property. Definitely speak with a switched-on accountant for this one, because it could be the difference between a sound investment and an expensive learning experience!

Final thoughts

Everyone’s got an opinion on property. It’s an Australian pastime! This article isn’t intended to sway you one way or another, but we do hope it’s given you food for thought on what to consider when it comes to deciding on whether rentvesting’s right for you.

Hit us up if you need a recommendation for an accountant or real estate agent. We have good relationships with some of the best ones and would happily recommend them to you.

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For many small business owners, time is money. There is so much to do and not enough hours in the day.

The good news is there are many great apps that can help you work smarter and more efficiently. Here are our top five picks.  

1.    Collaborate with your team on Slack

Slack is a communication tool that helps team members work together anywhere and anytime and on any device. Slack lets you set up a collaborative workspace for your small business. There you can create public or private channels ­– think of them as folders – where you can share messages and files. You can also direct message individuals or up to nine people at once.  

2.    Streamline your finances with Xero  

Keeping track of your finances is a vital part of running a business. Xero helps you manage it in one place through its mobile and desktop app. With Xero, you can easily send online invoices, pay bills, and do payroll. The app can also automate GST calculations, which speeds up the process of lodging your tax return.

3.    Organise staff schedules with Deputy

Deputy saves you time in organising schedules for employees. You can create and share rosters, send messages to your team, and remind staff when they’re working via email, SMS and push notifications. Deputy can also integrate with your existing payroll, point of sale, and HR systems, which lets you focus on more important work.

4.    Manage social media channels with Hootsuite

Hootsuite serves as a one-stop solution for staying on top of your social media channels. It lets you seamlessly share and schedule posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. If you opt for a paid plan, you can see how your posts perform in real-time using the analytics tool.

5.    Create graphic designs with Canva

Can’t afford an in-house graphic designer? With Canva, you can do it all yourself. The design app lets you create a variety of creative assets such as social media posts, posters and logos. You don’t have to start from scratch, as there are hundreds of design templates to choose from and an expansive image library.

At the start of a new year, you may be wanting to start a clean slate, perhaps create new goals or pick up new habits. To inspire you to live your best life in 2022, check out our five top book recommendations on mindset and goal setting.

1.    Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

If you find it hard to change your habits, this book is for you. Clear offers a practical guide for making good habits stick, and ditching bad ones. Through a combination of scientific facts and inspiring true stories, you’ll learn strategies and tools you can apply to your own goals. 

2.    Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Ever wondered why some ideas thrive but others don’t? Made to Stick unpacks six principles that make ideas memorable and successful and teaches you how to make your own amazing ideas stick. 

3.    Creating Your Best Life: The Ultimate Life List Guide by Caroline Miller and Dr. Michael Frisch

If you need motivation for setting goals, check out Creating Your Best Life. You won’t just read the science behind goal setting, but Miller and Frisch provide interactive and fun exercises to help you work out your needs, ambitions and wants.   

4.    Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Embark on a tour of your mind and understand the systems that drive the way you think. You’ll find out when you can and can’t trust your intuition and the benefits of embracing slow thinking – great advice for the workplace and your personal life.

5.    The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest

The idea that we’re our own worst critic rings true for many of us. In The Mountain Is You, Wiest explains why we self-sabotage, when we do it, and how to stop it. Be prepared for some deep reflection about your habits as you learn how to overcome challenges and reach your potential.

Happy reading, and here’s to making positive change in 2022!

Who remembers receiving $20 in a Christmas card from a relative? Or maybe it was $5 or $10, depending on how far back we’re talking.

And whether you’d already spent it in the time it takes to receive an extra-long hug from THAT Aunty, or you’d deposited it straight into your savings account with THAT bank, or you’d invested it into your latest and greatest money-making venture – there’s a good chance that those same money habits are with you today. 

If you’re thinking about gifting some cold, hard cash to the little ones in your life, then have a think about how you can help them develop a good relationship with money, because as we all know: old habits die hard.

Giving cash is probably more useful than ever in today’s increasingly cashless society, because it gives kids a more tangible insight into how money works.

Here are five ways to help children think about money:

Note: We’re not saying there’s a right or wrong way when it comes to someone’s money mindset, but we’re big believers that knowledge is power.

1. Money jars

Tell them about the money jar concept, where they’d portion out their money into key categories: save, spend, invest, donate, and then have to decide upfront how much they want to devote to each. Using physical jars helps kids understand an otherwise abstract idea. When they’re making decisions about where to send their money, they can see that they’ve only got their allocated funds to work with, and so it helps them learn to be more disciplined and purposeful with their decision-making.

2. Opportunity cost

Talk about opportunity cost, so when they’re deciding on whether to buy something, highlight what they’d be missing out on. Little Ryan wants to go on that $20 ride again? Remind him he won’t have money left to buy the show bag. Sounds a bit like being Fun Police, doesn’t it? But before long they’ll be pre-empting you and considering the opportunity cost before you’ve had a chance to prompt them.

3. Compound interest

Talk about the difference between good debt (debt that allows you to invest in wealth-building channels like property), and bad debt (debt that costs you). For example, if they ask for a $50 loan, charge them (a nominal amount of) interest. Get them thinking about whether they want to pay compound interest, or earn it.

4. Radical transparency

If you’re living a comfortable life, kids can get the impression that money grows on trees, right? Think about letting your kids know how much money you earn, and what’s involved (i.e. the long hours, years of education and training). Of course, you may want to tell them not to bring it up at Christmas lunch – we’re not necessarily suggesting you become that transparent!

5. Invest in shares

Setting up a very modest portfolio can be an incredible way to introduce children to the concept of trading shares. With the various apps around these days, the barriers to entry are not what they once were, and trading shares certainly isn’t just for trust fund babies. Make sure you speak to your accountant and/or financial adviser for guidance around the capital gains benefits. 

As we rush to finish our Christmas shopping, many of us may turn to the convenience of department stores and big retailers. But this year, consider changing tact by supporting small businesses who have been hit hard by the pandemic and related lockdowns and other interruptions. Here are five easy ways to spread the festive cheer to your local business owners.

1.    Buy from them

Do some of your Christmas shopping at small locally owned businesses. It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach as simply swapping a few big-name brands for something local can make a difference. While they may not be able to compete with larger retailers on price, the extra cost will go a long way in supporting owners and boosting the local economy.

2.    Be a tourist

If you’re going away this Christmas, spend time – and money – at small businesses in the area you’re visiting. Plan a day of enjoying local delicacies at eateries, exploring gift shops, and visiting tourist attractions. If you’re staying at home, be a tourist in your own suburb or city, and explore where you live.

3.    Share the love

Shopping local and spending money isn’t the only way to support small businesses. Write a review on Google, like and follow their pages on social media, and tell others about your experience. Word of mouth is a great way to promote a business.

4.    Attend neighbourhood events

Connect with local businesses at local events, such as farmers markets, flea markets, and street fairs. They offer a change of scenery from your regular shopping centre and are a great way to meet owners. You might even nab some fresh produce or unique goods that you can’t find anywhere else.

5.    Spare a thought for small business owners

Finally, be kind to local business owners who have been doing it tough. Remember that they can’t always do what big retailers can, like offer free shipping. When leaving feedback, consider the impact it can have on a business’s reputation.

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As small business owners, we appreciate the support of all our clients, and we look forward to serving you in the new year. Have a wonderful Christmas.

We absolutely love that in 2021, personal finance is something that’s discussed more openly. However, we know that for a lot of people, this is not an appealing topic of conversation! There are all kinds of attitudes to money, and all kinds of emotions surrounding it — from confidence, gratitude and optimism, to fear, shame and panic.

Whatever your money mindset, it’s worth taking a look at where you sit on the spectrum – it’s the first step in taking charge of your finances. It could be a matter of reading the right book or speaking with a finance professional who you really click with.

What do we mean by money mindset?

Your money mindset is about your approach to earning, spending, saving and investing. Usually, your money mindset is a subconscious set of beliefs, which could stem from your childhood or previous experiences with money. Understanding your money mindset can help you improve your financial habits. After all, knowledge is power, right?

There are two main attitudes towards money: optimism and abundance, and scarcity and pessimism. 

Optimism and abundance

People who feel optimistic about money have confidence they’ll have enough and find it easy to save and plan for the future. They probably have goals (that they believe they can achieve) while still appreciating what they already have.

They feel positive about money and generally spend within their means, save for the future and manage their debts well. 

Scarcity and pessimism

People with an attitude of scarcity and pessimism generally have negative views about money, which can bring on feelings of anxiety, shame or fear.

They feel undeserving of wealth, or jealous of others with abundant wealth. They prefer to spend their money rather than save for the future, because they never know when they’re going to lose.

They can feel unmotivated to take action and often avoid planning for their future, which can lead to inaction and missed opportunities.

How to improve your money mindset

If your money mindset is preventing you from reaching your financial goals, the good news is it’s completely possible to change any limiting beliefs.

Start with small steps like setting some financial goals and devoting time to improving your financial literacy. Avoid comparing yourself to others, and remember to celebrate even the little wins.

And don’t beat yourself up about it. Money isn’t usually something we’re taught about at school. It’s also not something we generally discuss with friends or even family, so it’s no surprise that – for a lot of people – it remains a mystery!

If you have property-related finance goals, get in touch for some straight-talking guidance on how to make it happen.