Tips for negotiating with a real estate agent
Real estate agents are experts in their field. They are engaged by the vendor to get the highest sale price possible, and their commission is based on that sale price. There are some awesome agents out there, that do a great job and are really good to deal with. Often, it seems like they’re on your side. They’re friendly, the tell you about the house and the neighbourhood. They tell you of the other interest in the property, recent work that’s been done. Sometimes they’ll Read More +
Creating a spending plan
So “spending plan” is the new buzz word to replace “budget”. It seems like “budget” has too much baggage. It’s tight, restrictive, boring, inhibiting and just plain dull. Whereas “spending plan” has a little more appeal. It has possibilities and a little bit of freedom. It seems like I’m in charge of it and we could work together. It’s about spending – and I’m pretty good at that already – so I should be able to work a spending plan. Right? Right! Start with your Read More +
Do you have a wealth creation plan?
Just like with everything else in life, we need to know where we’re heading in order to get there. So where do you want to be, financially, on the day that you retire? Will your super have enough to support your lifestyle? Do you need returns from investments to boost the funds available? Are you planning on living a little frugally when you retire or are you planning on travelling and kicking your heels up? Are you hoping to leave a legacy to your family? Read More +
Are you feeling a little helpless too?
I can’t help but feel heartbroken in the face of these bushfires. Even though I’m a long way from the fire front, I’ve felt the impact deeply – as I’m sure you have too. I have been especially heartbroken by the loss of our precious wildlife. I feel extremely helpless. To offer my support, Love Home Loans has donated $2,500 to Wires and $2,500 to the Australian Red Cross. I know there has been a lot of posts in social media and sometimes it can Read More +
It’s that time of year again
It’s that time of year again where we tend to go a little crazy with the festive spirit. Hopefully, you’ll spend quality time with family and friends, enjoy good food and drinks, unplug, recharge, have fun and get some fabulous gifts. 2019 has been a huge year for us and we’re gearing up for more of the same in 2020. What are your plans for the holidays and the new year? Have you got anything exciting planned? We’re taking some time off over the holidays, Read More +
What rate are you paying?
Whether it’s your interest rate on your home loan, a personal or car loan or your credit card, it’s really important to know what it’s costing you to be in debt. And, importantly, if it could be costing you less. Obviously the best thing to do is to get rid of debt – especially credit card debt where you could be paying around 20% interest. That’s bad debt! If you can’t pay off your credit card, talk to your bank to see if they have Read More +
Structuring your loan
When you’re starting out with securing a home loan or investment loan, you need to start with the end in mind – or at least plan for a couple of years down the track. This helps to make sure your loan is structured in a way that will work for you now and in the future. Although interest rates are important to take into consideration, there are other options that are equally important. Things to consider for your next loan are: Interest rate Fixed interest Read More +
Don’t blow your budget!
If you’re more like, “Budget? What budget?”, then we need to talk… Whether you’re shopping for birthday gifts, Christmas presents, your weekly grocery shopping, a new outfit or a house, you need to have a framework to work within. The bigger the price tag, the more important it is to stay within that budget. It’s also really important to stick to your budget if you’re saving to buy a home. Now, don’t get put off by the word “budget”. It doesn’t have to be super Read More +
Are you struggling to buy your first home?
If you feel that buying a house is similar to climbing a very large mountain – on a snowy day – in gale force winds – without gloves and a beanie – then you’re not alone. But there is hope and there are some things you can do that will help you buy your first home without having to completely give up your lifestyle! 1. Rein in your spending This is a bit obvious but it’s also often the hardest to do – but it’s Read More +
It’s time to get organised!
I don’t know about you, but I’m a massive Christmas nerd. I have our house decorated from head to toe before the end of November and I love it! Are you the same or do you cringe at the thought of getting the tree out that early? It seems that there are two camps forming on this topic and I’m firmly in the “decorate early” camp. There are a ton of other things to get done before the end of the year, and if you’re Read More +
