Mark Bristow

What should I ask a lender when I apply for a home loan?

According to a recent survey, eighty-four per cent of Aussies who are yet to buy a property say they need to know more about financial products such as home loans, rates and deposits. With this in mind, it’s important to ask the right questions before you start filling out application forms.

How do you avoid Lender's Mortgage Insurance?

Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is an insurance policy that covers the financial risk of a borrower defaulting on their home loan repayments. However, LMI doesn’t protect the borrower, but instead protects the mortgage lender that provides the home loan. Additionally, most mortgage lenders pass the cost of LMI on to borrowers.

Can a student get a home loan?

It is possible for students in Australia to get home loans, provided they can fulfil a mortgage lender’s eligibility requirements. This may not be easy for many students, who already have significant study commitments.

How to pay off your mortgage faster

Not a fan of being in debt? Here are a few tips that could help you get your home loan paid off sooner, so you can own your home or investment property outright, without a mortgage hanging over your head.

House Appraisal vs Market Value: how much is your home worth?

What is a property actually worth? The answer may depend on if you were to ask a real estate agent or a valuer working for a mortgage lender.

How to value a property for insurance

Home insurance can provide much-needed peace of mind by covering your property in case of accidents, damage, or other disasters. Plus, it’s often a necessary requirement when applying for a home loan with many lenders.

What doesn’t affect your credit score?

You may be surprised by the information in your credit history that goes towards calculating your credit score. You may be even more surprised by what personal information about you does not affect your credit rating whatsoever.

How do banks value property?

Different banks use different methods to calculate the value of a property. Also known as a “bank property valuation”, the method your mortgage lender chooses may depend on their own internal policies, and other reasons, too.

How good debts and bad debts can affect your credit score

With political commentators discussing whether the latest Federal Budget has put Australia into too much debt (we’ll leave that debate to the experts), some everyday Aussies may be concerned about the debts in their own household budgets, and what they could mean for their financial futures.

Some of the best home loans in May 2021

While first home buyers have been active in Australian property markets over the past few months, thanks in part to low interest rates, recent figures have shown that refinancers and investors are starting to take their place. This is understood to be partially due to property prices in some popular areas rising beyond what’s affordable for many first home buyers.