Blog

Why borrowing power feels unpredictable Because it’s not one formula. It’s a mix of policy settings, your financial profile, and how lenders assess risk. What lenders typically look at Income base salary and consistency bonuses, overtime, commissions (often shaded) rental income (often shaded) Expenses living expenses (benchmarks plus what your statements show) dependants, childcare, commitments Existing debts credit cards, personal loans, HECS/HELP, car loans Buffers and ser

The best structure is the one that supports your strategy and your next purchase, not just your rate today. Interest-only (IO) vs principal and interest (P&I) Interest-only (IO)  means repayments cover interest for a set period. Principal and interest (P&I)  means repayments cover both interest and principal. In plain terms: IO often supports cash flow and flexibility. P&I reduces the loan balance over time but can reduce cash flow. There is no universal “best”. The right cho

What “equity release” really means Equity release is typically borrowing against the value of a property you already own (often your home) to fund an investment deposit and costs. It is a strategy, not a product. The product is the loan structure you choose. How it usually works (simple version) Property value is assessed. Existing loan balance is confirmed. A lender determines how much additional lending is possible. Funds are made available via a separate split/loan (ideall

Most people refinance chasing a lower rate. The bigger risk is refinancing into a loan that looks cheap on day one, then drifts expensive later. What refinancing typically costs Refinancing usually includes a mix of lender fees and government registration costs. Discharge fees and other switching costs vary by lender and state, so it’s worth confirming the full figure before you decide. Common cost categories to check: Discharge (exit) fee with your current lender Government