Mark Bristow

Some of the best mortgages for investors in March 2021

With Australian property prices hitting record highs, and home loan interest rates reaching record lows, it’s no surprise that borrowing and buying activity has been accelerating of late. And it’s not just first home buyers experiencing fear of missing out (FOMO) on low rates, but investors too.

How much could a mortgage on an average Australian property cost?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), property prices in all eight capital cities rose in December 2020, for the first time since December 2014. With Australia’s average house price rising, and mortgage interest rates at record lows, what does this mean for the average cost of a home loan?

Four habits to learn to love to keep your credit score top notch

Being mindful of your financial habits can make a big difference to how easy or hard it is to keep your credit score at the top end of the band. Here are four of the top ways to maintain or grow a good credit score:

Three alternatives to low term deposits

In recent months, banks have been slashing term deposit interest rates dramatically. While term deposits have never been “get rich quick” investments, it’s now much harder to earn a steady income from term deposit interest, which many Australians (such as retirees) have relied upon in the past.

Some of the best home loans in March 2021

After a year of ups and downs, Australia’s home loan marketplace is looking a lot different. Following emergency cash rate cuts from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and an economic recession, many lenders have thoroughly slashed their home loan interest rates.

Do unpaid taxes affect your credit score?

Your unpaid personal taxes should not affect your credit score in most cases, though unpaid business taxes may be another story.

Why a credit score check doesn't affect your credit score

You may have heard that when a bank or lender performs a credit check, that can potentially reduce your credit score, making it harder to borrow money in the future. However, checking your own credit score isn’t the same as a credit check from a bank, and does not hurt your credit score. Here’s why.

Some of the best owner occupier home loans for February 2021

With Australia’s cash rate predicted to sit on hold at just 0.10 per cent for at least the next few years, RateCity analysis indicates that we may be looking at the bottom of the cycle when it comes to home loan interest rates.

RBA governor encourages Aussies to send credit card companies a message

Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor, Dr Philip Lowe, has expressed his “frustration” with credit cards charging interest rates upwards of 20 per cent, and encouraged Australians to shop around for better rates to send a message to card providers.

What you should know about superannuation benefits

Superannuation benefits aren’t necessarily the extra perks offered by your super fund. Your “super benefit” is also another name for the money you can access from your super fund. You may be able to access your super benefits once you reach a certain age, retire, or meet other specific criteria.