Mark Bristow

5 things to consider before Australia's third La Nina

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has forecasted that for the third year in a row, Australia will experience a La Nina weather system. With Australia’s eastern states likely to cop an absolute drenching over the summer months, there are a few steps you could consider taking to get ready for La Nina sooner rather than later.

Some of the best home loans for investors and refinancers in September 2022

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may continue raising the national cash rate at its upcoming meetings to help combat the “scourge” of high inflation. This could make it harder for some homeowners and investors to afford their mortgage repayments, though there are still competitive home loan deals available.

Why are cars so expensive in Australia?

Most Australians are familiar with having to pay a bit more for some goods and services than they would elsewhere around the world. In the case of cars, this can be partially attributed to the higher cost of importing and manufacturing, but also to tougher regulatory and environmental conditions, as well as taxes and tariffs.

Can you use a personal loan to buy land?

If you’re buying a block of vacant land with ambitions to build your own property on the site, you may be able to pay for it with the help of a personal loan. But there are also other land finance options available that may better suit the financial needs of some borrowers.

How much does a carport cost?

A carport can provide your car with more protection from the elements than parking on the street, in your driveway, or on your front lawn. Carports may also be less expensive to install than a garage, though their cost can vary depending on your property.

Do you need bushfire insurance in addition to regular home insurance?

In many cases if you already have home insurance, you’re already covered for fire damage to your property, so you may not need separate bushfire insurance. But if you live in an area with a higher-than-average bushfire risk, that could push up the cost of your insurance premiums.

Some of the best home loans in September 2022

Home loan interest rates are likely to keep rising across the board, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) hiking the national cash rate by 50 basis points at its meeting today. But that doesn’t mean lenders aren’t being competitive, with several actually slashing rates or offering cashback deals for eligible borrowers.

Getting a mortgage for an international property

There’s an old real estate saying that the three most important factors when buying a property are location, location, location. But what if that location is overseas? Can Australians still get home loans to buy international properties?

How to buy a house in a de facto relationship

The process of buying a property is similar for both married couples and couples in de facto relationships. That said, some of the steps involved may require some extra consideration for de facto partners, as they could make a difference to future personal and financial goals.

A guide to paying off your home equity loan

Accessing the equity in your home can provide extra financial flexibility, which can be useful for managing major purchases and household expenses. But how will you go paying down your loan until your debt is cleared?