More than half of Australian house hunters spend the same amount of time inspecting a property as they do watching an episode on Netflix, according to new research.
Are you relying on a personal credit card for business expenses?
We’ve all been guilty of the odd credit card mix-up from time to time – it happens! But if you’re consistently relying on a personal credit card to pay your business expenses – like 4-in-10 SME owners – then it’s probably time to explore other funding options.
Seismic shift: two major banks hike fixed interest rates
Are the days of ultra-low fixed interest rates over? It’s looking increasingly so, with two major banks increasing their fixed rates this week. So if you’ve been thinking about fixing your mortgage lately, it could be time to consider doing so.
How 1-in-10 first home buyers cracked the market 4 years sooner
Almost 33,000 Australians bought their first home four years sooner thanks to two federal government schemes that give first home buyers a leg up into the property market. Could you, or someone you know, be eligible?
SME lending options are on the rise, but how do you access them?
While many SME owners worry about their access to finance, a surge of new lenders and products is rapidly expanding the options available. And brokers have an important role to play for businesses, says the Productivity Commission.
Bar raised for borrowers: tougher home loan serviceability tests
Some borrowers will soon find it harder to get a mortgage after the banking regulator announced tougher serviceability tests for home loans. So who will they impact most?
Are you getting the discount you deserve?
All banks offer a Standard Variable loan. This is usually a fully featured loan at a rate that’s around 0.5% higher than their Basic Variable rate. Lenders have always given introductory or honeymoon discounts on this Standard Variable rate, but just for the first year of the loan. Years ago… Read more
Is a home loan lending crackdown on the horizon?
The federal treasurer has given the strongest indication yet that a home loan crackdown is coming, stating that “carefully targeted and timely adjustments” may be necessary to avoid troubled waters. So what could a potential lending crackdown look like?