Feel like you’ve been getting a raw deal from customer loyalty schemes? Well, Australia’s competition watchdog says you might be right.The ACCC has released a new report into loyalty schemes, such as frequent flyer, supermarket and hotel operators. The report calls for loyalty operators to:· Provide more information to consumers· Improve their data practices· Stop automatically linking people’s payment cards to their loyalty scheme profilesThe ACCC wants loyalty operators to more prominently alert people when their points are about to expire and to stop collecting data on the sly.The ACCC also wants the government to ban unfair contract terms in loyalty schemes and to introduce a new law against certain unfair trading practices.Five tips for consumersCompanies use loyalty schemes to collect your data and send you targeted adsDon’t make unnecessary purchases just to earn pointsJust because you get a points discount at one business, it doesn’t mean you can’t find the same product for less at another businessKeep track of when your points are due to expireLoyalty scheme conditions change from time to time, so read your emailsLooking to buy a property? Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Book a review today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about How to avoid loyalty scheme tricks
Property days on the market for November 2019
During November, the share of properties that had been on the market for less than 30 days was highest in Sydney at 44.5% and lowest in Darwin at 9%. Melbourne had the highest total of new properties available with 7, 712 which was 44.2% of all property available. All capital cities also have significant levels of stock that's been on the market for more than six months: 22% for Sydney and Melbourne,25% for Brisbane,26% for Adelaide,27% for Canberra,32% for Hobart,34% for Perth66% for Darwin.Get help buying a property Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Book a review today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Property days on the market for November 2019
Stock returning to the market but how fast is it selling?
More and more home owners are offering their properties for sale, according to new data from SQM Research. SQM has reported that while residential property listings in November 2019 were down 6.3% on the year before, they were actually up 6.3% compared to the month before.So while there was a shortage of sellers for much of 2019, it appears that home owners have become increasingly willing to put their home on the market.More property listings means more downward pressure on prices.In month-on-month terms, Hobart had the biggest surge in listings (by 11.7%), while Darwin was the only capital where listings fell (by 1.9%).In year-on-year terms, Canberra was the only capital city where listings increased (by 0.4%), while Sydney experienced the biggest decline (by 19.3%).SQM has also reported how quickly properties have been selling.Looking to buy a property?Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Book a review today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Stock returning to the market but how fast is it selling?
Three easy steps to find lost super
There is more than $20.8 billion in lost and unclaimed superannuation floating around the system, according to the Australian Taxation Office.Many Australians have lost track of old super funds after changing jobs or moving home.But the ATO says it’s “easier than you think” to check if you have missing super and to then get it back. Here’s how:Create a myGov accountLink your myGov account to the ATOThe ATO portal will show all your super accounts (including any forgotten accounts)If you have multiple accounts, you can transfer all your super to your main account and then close the unneeded accounts, thereby saving on fees.Last year, Australians used the ATO portal to reclaim more than $4.4 billion of missing super from more than 540,000 active, lost and unclaimed accounts.Need help finding your super?Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my specialists and we'll be more than happy to help. Get super help today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Three easy steps to find lost super
Sleazy spruikers are taking advantage of property investors
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedinAustralia’s two peak property investment bodies have warned buyers to be on the lookout for shonky salespeople masquerading as independent professionals.PIPA, which represents property investment professionals, and PICA, which represents mum-and-dad investors, said an increasing number of spruikers have started appearing.“PIPA has heard of buyers being offered ‘cash back’ deals of tens of thousands of dollars to encourage them to buy inferior properties,” chairman Peter Koulizos said.“Of course, the ‘cash’ isn’t real because it’s built into the sales price, so, in essence, buyers are paying for their own supposed windfalls.”Before making a purchase, buyers should speak to a trusted mortgage broker. With our experience, we will have a good feel for what deals are and aren’t legitimate. Speak to a trusted professional Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation.Get a stress-free plan todayWe partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solution FollowFacebookLinkedinDo you have questions about mortgages or loans? Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Sleazy spruikers are taking advantage of property investors
Booms, busts and everything in between
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedinAustralia’s capital city property markets are experiencing very different conditions.New property price statistics from SQM Research show our capitals can be divided into four different groups:Hobart remains Australia’s strongest market Sydney and Melbourne have bounced back Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide are inching forwards Perth and Darwin continue to go backwardsSQM believes next year will be a better year for property than this year.Buyer numbers have been increasing in many parts of Australia, for two reasons:The Reserve Bank has cut official interest rates three times in the past six months Australia’s banking regulator (APRA) has made it easier for borrowers to qualify for home loansIf you’re in the market to buy in the next couple months it’s good to start planning early. Need a plan to buy a property? Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation.Book a review todayWe partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solution FollowFacebookLinkedinDo you have questions about mortgages or loans? Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Booms, busts and everything in between
‘Open banking’ is about to shake up the home loans market
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedinAustralia’s banking system will soon be playing by a different set of rules.It’s called ‘open banking’, and it promises to significantly change the way we do home loans.From February 2020, the big four banks will have to make it easy for borrowers to share their personal home loan data (and other banking data) with rival lenders. That’s important because:Borrowers will find it easier to compare offers and switch lenders Lenders will find it easier to lure borrowers with personalised offersThe federal government, which is driving the open banking reforms, hopes it will lead to increased competition, which could mean:· Lower interest ratesLower fees More innovationFor now, open banking will apply only to ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac. In time, other financial institutions will have to adopt open banking as well.The government also plans to gradually roll out this system to other sectors of the economy – energy will be second and telecommunications third. Ask us about open banking Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my specialists to find out how open banking affects you.Chat with us todayWe partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solution FollowFacebookLinkedinDo you have questions about mortgages or loans? Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about ‘Open banking’ is about to shake up the home loans market
Why you should avoid Afterpay
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedinBuy-now-and-pay-later business, Afterpay is definitely shaking up the payment marketplace. There’s even a nightclub that’s proposing to offer it to it’s customers. Even still, it’s a highly debated issue among Australians. My advice about Afterpay? And if you’re thinking about purchasing, investing or refinancing a property in early 2020, don’t use Afterpay for your holiday shopping.More generally, if you’re going to use it, do it after you’ve got your home loan. Banks and lenders that see Afterpay on your banking statements get nervous about your saving and spending habits. More simply, it raises flags about a consumer's ability to budget and live within their means.I’m working with many customers who have very strong loan applications but are running into issues because of just a few small Afterpay transactions.If you’re going to use Afterpay, use it as a short term incentive but make sure to pay it back as quickly as possible.If you need a hand managing your existing Afterpay payments, or would like to know more about how these could impact your home loan application, I'm happy to speak with you. Let's get real about Afterpay Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my debt management specialists to lower the affect on your home loan application.Chat about my debtWe experts in debt consolidation. You're in good hands. FollowFacebookLinkedinDo you have questions about mortgages or loans? Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Why you should avoid Afterpay