Mortgage Experts Blog

Earlier this year one of Australia’s big 4 banks ended their long-term mortgage insurance partnerships with both the major LMI providers (Genworth Financial and QBE) and struck a deal with a new overseas based player. This is relevant because it is bringing some long needed competition back to the LMI market. Finally. Read more >

Top 5 most common investment loan mistakes or problems that individuals face. Investment properties are a learning process filled with hiccups that help us make better decisions in the future. At least if you follow our advice regarding these 5 mistakes, you'll be able to get it right the first time.  Read more >

As of December 2014, to curb investor borrowing the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) encouraged the major banks and other deposit taking institutions to de-risk their lending books by making changes to lending standards mainly around investment loans. At that time APRA recommended banks restrict property investment loan growth to 10% or less in a year. However the response from the banks was initially largely ineffective. That said it was against the back drop of a very heated Sydney and Melbourne property market.  Read more >

Announced in the 2012- 2013 NSW state budget are some major changes to the first home owners grant (FHOG) and stamp duty concessions for new homes. The changes are designed to promote the building of new dwellings in NSW and come into effect from the 1st of October 2012.  Read more >

It's that time again...with the new year upon us it's time to get out my crystal ball and make a prediction for the Sydney housing market for 2012 as well as provide a snapshot of what other property forecasters are saying. I also throw in my two cents worth on interest rates. Read more >

Over the years I have had a few clients fall seriously ill and as a result fall into serious arrears on their loans. This has made me realise just how important it is to have that sometimes uncomfortable discussion about risk insurance when you are about to take on a mortgage. I like so many of my clients are guilty of not always taking this seriously enough but the stats don't lie you have a very good chance of something terrible happening to you or your partner in your working lives. On that basis I wanted to introduce McIntyre Financial Advisory whom I am now referring all my Sydney based clients to for a pre loan settlement insurance health check. The firms principal Angus Dockrill has kindly written a few words more words about risk insurance below. Read more >

An offset account can be a great tool that can be used by both home and investment loan borrowers. From saving interest on your home and paying off your home sooner to tax planning for investors an offset account is truly a powerful tool if used correctly. Read more >