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Can You Get a Mortgage With Bad Credit?

So, can you get a mortgage with bad credit? Obviously, it’s everybody’s goal at some point to own a home, but we get that not everyone’s been blessed with a smooth financial life and may have made some poor financial decisions over the years that have resulted in bad credit. Fortunately, the reality is that you can, but it usually takes a bit more effort and creativity since it’s definitely not going to be as easy.  In Australia, lenders will

Are Mortgage Rates Going Down?

Regardless of the reason, we can all appreciate that interest rates have been surging throughout Australia for a bit too long now, but are mortgage rates going down at last?  Some of the early signs we’ve had in 2025 this far would indicate that they genuinely are. For instance, on the 20th of May 2025, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%, which was actually its first reduction in years.  The

How Much Deposit Do I Need For An Investment Property?

We get that buying an investment property can be exciting – it’s a whole different process to buying somewhere to live and your mindset is completely different – but it still raises a few practical questions.  In Australia, lenders generally expect a larger deposit on an investment home loan than on an owner-occupied loan. Typically, you’ll need around 20% of the purchase price as a deposit (an 80% loan-to-value ratio) if you want to avoid paying lenders mortgage insurance (LMI),

How Do Credit Scores in Spain Work?

Just as anywhere else in the world, you’re not going to be able to secure the loans necessary for purchasing a property in Spain if you have a poor credit score. But how exactly does that system work in Spain? Is it basically just the same as back here in Australia? Overview The truth is, Spain doesn’t really use a FICO-style credit score like in Australia, the US or the United Kingdom. Instead, Spanish banks take a look at your

How Do Credit Scores in Italy Work?

Does Italy have credit scores? We get this question quite a lot but the short answer is always “not in the Aussie sense.” In Australia, we’re used to a numeric credit score from bureaus like Equifax or Illion. In Italy, creditworthiness isn’t summed up by a single number. Instead, the Bank of Italy runs a Central Credit Register (Centrale dei Rischi) that collects detailed information on loans and debts.  This means if you search for “credit score in Italy” or

How Does Equity Work When Buying a Second Home?

Are you thinking of getting an investment property, or just want to know how equity works when buying a second home? In simple terms, equity is the part of your existing home that you actually own and not just what you’re borrowing. So it’s market value minus what you owe.  For example, if your home is worth $800,000 and you owe $450,000 on the mortgage, your equity is $350,000. You can use that equity as part of the deposit on

Refinance Home Loan – All You Need to Know

Both property investors and regular people who live in their homes refinance their home loans so they’re able to have a better mortgage situation. We get that it’s one of those things that can sound a bit complicated, though.  A refinance home loan is essentially just a new loan that replaces your existing mortgage. You could opt for a home refinance if you’re looking for a lower interest rate, or even just to access equity for other purposes. It could

Mortgage Broker vs Bank Manager – Which Is Best for You?

Mortgage broker vs bank for home loan – which option is best? Both have pretty similar roles so we’re definitely not surprised by how common a question this is by most Australians, from first home buyers to property investors. On one hand, working with a mortgage broker can generally just be quite convenient. Not to mention that it gives you the ability to compare loans from multiple lenders. On the other hand, walking into your local bank feels straightforward and

Buying Property in Australia on a Temporary Visa – All You Need to Know

If you’re living in Australia on a temporary visa and want to own a home at some point in the near future, you’re certainly not alone. That’s where a lot of international students and skilled other workers are at now, but the good news is that it is actually possible to purchase a house or apartment before you become a permanent resident.  However, it’s naturally not as straightforward as it is for citizens or PR holders – there are extra

What Is a First Home Buyer Loan?

It’s pretty exciting when you get to that stage in your life when you’re ready to buy your first home in Australia. That said, there is a lot more admin and finance preparation for this in comparison to just renting – especially for getting a home loan.  You might have heard people talk about “first home buyer loans.” Technically, there isn’t a separate type of mortgage just for first-timers – banks mostly offer the same kinds of home loans to

How Much Can I Borrow for Investment Property?

Thinking of buying property in Sydney or a holiday home abroad but don’t know how much you can actually borrow? Your borrowing capacity – essentially the amount a lender might lend you – is made up of a mix of factors.  Lenders assess your whole financial picture, which includes: You’ll have a much clearer idea of what a bank is realistically going to offer you if you know how these pieces overlap. While the same basic principles apply for a

What Is a GSA Agreement?

You’ve probably seen the term GSA somewhere in the fine print if you’ve ever applied for a business loan in Australia. It stands for General Security Agreement. That sounds a bit dry and like vague legal jargon, but it’s actually a key part of many loan deals. In short, a GSA is an agreement that gives a lender rights over your assets as collateral for a loan.  Don’t go into one of these agreements without properly knowing what a GSA

How to Calculate Rental Yield

When you invest in property in Australia, one of the first questions is: what’s the rental yield? It sounds fancy, but it’s basically your annual rent as a percentage of the property’s value – essentially how much bang for your buck you’re getting from rent each year. We’ll break down how to calculate rental yield – it’s straightforward maths – using real examples from cities like Sydney and Melbourne. The formula works the same for a house in Sydney or

How to Check Your Credit Rating

Your credit rating has a lot more influence over your financial life than you might realise. In Australia, mortgage providers and even some employers look at this score before they make a decision.  A strong rating can land you a lower home loan rate and generally smoother approvals for major purchases. But a low score can mean higher interest or outright refusal.  Ultimately, you get clear insight into where you stand and what steps to take next by regularly checking

How to Make a House Low-Maintenance

Homeownership is great, but maintenance is time-consuming to you and costly to your budget. In Australia, harsh sunshine, extreme temperatures, and ocean salt all expedite deterioration. The silver lining is that there are logical ways to restrict home maintenance without sacrificing style or comfort.  Whether you’re a new home builder, rebuilding, or just making over a house, these tips allow you to build a home that’s: Use Hardy Outside Material The outside of a house is exposed to everything harsh

Owner Builder Home Loans – What You Need to Know

Owner builder home loans are a preferred finance option for Australians wanting to take control of their home construction process. As the owner of the house and also the builder, you’re in control of every detail of your home’s construction. This route offers a sense of pride and potential cost savings, but it also brings extra responsibilities and unique financing considerations.  If you’re considering going into owner builder finance, this guide explains: What Is An Owner Builder Home Loan An

How Long Can Capital Losses Be Carried Over in Australia?

Australia’s capital gains tax (CGT) is a sophisticated system, especially when you’re working with capital losses. Most investors wonder what happens when you’ve got a capital loss – do you lose that relief at year’s end or carry it over? See how it works throughout this article. What is a Capital Gain or Capital Loss? When you sell something at a price higher than its cost base, you’ve got a capital gain. In Australia, that is when a CGT event

How to Positively Gear an Investment Property in Australia

Property investment is a go-to wealth creation strategy in Australia. Many investors enjoy “positively gearing” a property. With positive gearing, rental incomes pay for overall property and maintenance expenses, and monthly profit is positive.  By positively gearing your property, you can maximise your cash flow, reduce your mortgage, and make your financial position a whole lot less stressful. It isn’t a speedy wealth creation scheme, but with careful planning and consideration for fundamentals, it can become a profitable wealth creation

What Is Capital Value of a Property?

Whenever you’re investing in real estate or starting to investigate property, you’ll run into the terminology “capital value.” In Australia, it’s a significant part of understanding a property’s value.  But what is capital value, and why is it significant for homeowners, investors, and buyers? In this article, we simplify capital value, disclose why it’s significant in the property marketplace in Australia, and make an example of it in contrast with other forms of valuations.  By the end, you’ll have a

What Do They Look For in a House Valuation?

Whenever one takes out a mortgage in Australia, lenders request a property valuation. This aids them in estimating the property’s value, lessening their risk in case any problem arises with the loan.  Valuers – who are professionally qualified – assess a range of factors in deciding a property’s market value. However, what exactly do they search for?  In this article, we unscramble the most important factors that have an impact on a valuer’s conclusion, so that you can understand and

What is a Low Doc Home Loan? All You Need to Know

A low doc home loan is a mortgage with fewer financial documents than a traditional home loan. It’s perfect for Australians who work for themselves and any individual who doesn’t have conventional payslips and financial statements preferred by lenders.  As a sole proprietor and a freelancer, one doesn’t have to meet conventional lending requirements, which require two years of tax documents, detailed profit and loss statements, and a demonstration of consistent income.  That’s when a low doc home loan comes

Buying Property Interstate – What You Need to Know

Interstate property buying can sound like a dream opportunity or a challenging ordeal. Every state in Australia comes with its own set of rules, laws, and trends, so you must do a little more work when searching outside your city.  Nevertheless, with proper information and a little expert guidance, you can make a purchase that will serve your purpose.  In this article, we will present everything you need to know about buying property interstate, starting with getting to know your

What Does a Mortgage Broker Do?

A mortgage is one of life’s biggest financial outlays for most Australians. Regardless of your life stage – purchasing your first property or expanding your portfolio – you’ll have a wealth of options when choosing a loan. Lenders have plenty of terms, rates, and structures, and getting through them can become a nightmare. Here’s when a mortgage broker comes in useful. They take care of everything for you, choosing a loan product that will best suit your financial objectives, processing

How Much Can You Claim on Negative Gearing?

Negative gearing is a contentious issue in property investing in Australia. Many investors utilise it to make property investing a profitable, long-term investment opportunity. But how much can I claim in a negative gearing, and will it impact my overall taxes?  In this article, we will: Cover the Ins and Outs of Negative Gearing Go Through Key Items That Can be Included Cover a Few Items to Remember When Starting Out What is Negative Gearing? In Australia, “gearing” is borrowing

How to Buy Land and Build a House in Australia

Buying land and building a house in Australia can be exciting, but it requires the following: Careful Planning Research An Accurate Understanding of the Processes Involved We’ll take you through the land-buying and house-building process here. 1. Research and Budgeting How do you get started? Determining Your Budget First things first, you need to determine your realistic budget. Besides the land, the budget should cover: Building Costs Permissions Other Levies (including stamp duty and legal fees) Recurring Expenses Maintenance Utilities

What is a Good Rental Yield in Australia?

The concept of rental yield is an important yardstick most people use while investing in real estate. In simple words, it helps give an investor an idea of the profitability of the property to be rented out relative to its purchase price.  A prospective buyer looking to purchase a house in the Australian property market needs to understand properly what actually constitutes a good rental yield in order to make proper decisions. What is Rental Yield? Rental yield is an

How to Avoid Capital Gains Tax on a Second Property

Owning a second property can pay handsomely but is fraught with its own set of financial responsibilities, one of them being the payment of Capital Gains Tax. When you sell a property that is not your residence, you could fall prey to paying CGT on the profits. Under law, however, you can minimise or even nullify this impediment.  Throughout this guide, we’ll break down: What CGT is  What exemptions are available How to reduce CGT payable on the second property

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