Small businesses that have suffered damage in the bushfires may be eligible for four types of help from the federal government.First, as part of the assistance package, eligible small businesses may be able to access up to $50,000 in tax-free grants.Second, businesses that have suffered “significant asset loss or a significant loss of revenue” may be eligible for loans of up to $500,000:Maximum term of 10 yearsNo interest for the first two yearsSubsequent interest rate set at half the 10-year government bond rate (currently about 0.60%)Third, the government will establish the Small Business Bushfire Financial Support Line:Staff will explain what financial support is available to small businessesTrained financial counselors will be availableFourth, the Australian Taxation Office will help eligible businesses:BAS deadline has been extended to 28 May 2020Pay-as-you-go instalments can be changed to $0 for the December 2019 quarterRefunds can be claimed for any instalments paid in the September 2019 quarterIf you would like to discuss how these may apply to you, please do not hesitate to get in touch.Want to learn about bushfire support?Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my specialists to find help where you most need it. Get business help now 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 Government offers help to bushfire-affected businesses
5 ways to guard against identity theft
Having your identity stolen can be an expensive and traumatic experience.Sadly, it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk of identity theft. But you can minimise it by following these five steps from Equifax:Put a security freeze on your credit file – this stops fraudsters taking out loans in your name (because you’d need to unfreeze the file before loans could be issued).Check your credit report – you’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report each year. Get one, and then check for suspicious activity.Check your bank statements – again, look for suspicious activity.Guard against mail theft – lock your mailbox so fraudsters can’t steal sensitive documents.Be vigilant when online – don’t share or reuse passwords. Don’t respond to ‘phishing’ emails.Looking to purchase 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 5 ways to guard against identity theft
First home buyers need to move fast
Want to participate in the federal government’s new first home buyer scheme? Then you better hurry. The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, which started on 1 January, is capped at 10,000 places per financial year. The first allocation of places have already been claimed; but 7,000 places will become available on 1 February.Here’s how it works:1. The government will guarantee your loan if you have a deposit of 5-19%2. That means you won’t have to pay LMI (lender’s mortgage insurance)Eligibility rules apply:You must be a first home buyerYou must earn under $125,000 for singles and $200,000 for couplesAlso, you must buy a property that costs less than the price threshold listed in the chart above.Chat with us ASAP to take partHit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Take part 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 away in the comments below … [Read more...] about First home buyers need to move fast
Property enjoyed strong recovery in late 2019
Property prices headed south in the first half of 2019, but bounced back big-time in the second half of the year. The national median property price fell 6.9% in the 12 months prior to 30 June 2019, according to CoreLogic.However, it rose 2.3% in 2019, thanks in large part to interest rate cuts in June, July and October.Australia’s two biggest cities were mainly responsible for the big turnaround in the second half of 2019.Sydney’s median price fell 9.9% in the year to 30 June, but rose 5.3% in the year to 31 December. Meanwhile, Melbourne fell 9.2% and rose 5.3% in the same period.The Hobart and Canberra property markets are currently at record levels in terms of prices. However, the other six capitals are below their peaks:Brisbane = 0.1% lowerAdelaide = 0.2% lowerMelbourne = 2.3% lowerSydney = 6.4% lowerPerth = 21.4% lowerDarwin = 31.8% lower2020 is a great year to buyHit 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 enjoyed strong recovery in late 2019
Think carefully before buying a timeshare home
When it comes to buying into a timeshare property scheme, it’s a case of buyer beware.Australia’s financial services regulator, ASIC, has released a report into timeshare schemes that reveals “a high level of discontent” among participants.“Timeshare memberships are complex and give rise to long-term financial commitments,” ASIC commissioner Danielle Press said.Data sourced from the Australian Timeshare Holiday Owners Council shows consumers pay an average of:$23,000 for their membership$800 in ongoing annual membership costs13.5% p.a for their loan interest rate“ASIC is concerned about the sales tactics used by timeshare operators that harness a range of well-known behavioural techniques to propel consumers toward a purchase decision such as the use of time-bound ‘exclusive’ offers,” Ms Press said.“We saw consumers spend large sums of money on a purchase they did not expect to make and then enter into ongoing financial commitments under time pressure.”If you own a timeshare or are thinking about getting one and want to know how it would impact your home loan, give me a call.Speak to an expertHit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Speak to an expert 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 Think carefully before buying a timeshare home
How to avoid loyalty scheme tricks
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?