Entries by IndigoFinance

Interest-only versus principal-and-interest: why it’s time to revisit the debate

November 1, 2017 in /by

The landscape has shifted in that perennial debate – interest-only versus principal-and-interest loans. Until quite recently, as much as 40% of all residential mortgages were interest-only – a figure that’s high by international and historical standards. Both Aussie investors & home owners have been enthusiastically adopting interest-only loans in order to take advantage of well-documented lower initial repayments, tax benefits […]

What’s happening with interest rates?

October 30, 2017 in /by

What’s happening with interest rates? You may have seen a spate of recent headlines about lenders raising interest rates and changing lending criteria across a range of loan products – despite the official RBA cash rate remaining at an all-time low. It’s no wonder a number of our clients are asking “What’s happening with interest rates?” Sweeping […]

Renovation is the new upgrade!

October 23, 2017 in /by

Renovation is the new upgrade! The property market remains hot news in many parts of Australia but there is one less talked about sector of the market that is ALSO booming… Home renovations are back – in a big way! In fact, did you know that Australians are currently spending $165 million per month on renovations? […]

Protect your precious home

October 15, 2017 in /by

Protect your precious home Underinsurance is a growing problem in Australia with an estimated 29% of homeowners having NO home and contents insurance and 40% of households WITH insurance being underinsured. With your home and its contents usually being your single largest investment and a place of comfort and security for your family, these figures are […]

Are you maximising tax deductions for your investment property?

October 11, 2017 in /by

According to the ATO there are around 1.8 million property investors in Australia and 2.7 million rental investment properties. Surprisingly, many landlords fail to claim all allowable tax deductions simply because they are unaware of all the expenses they can claim as a tax deduction. There are two types of investment property strategies – positively geared […]

DIY traveller? Handy tips for a smooth trip!

September 25, 2017 in /by

With an abundance of online travel booking websites there’s a growing trend to DO IT YOURSELF instead of using travel agents. There can be benefits to booking your own travel but beware – it can be the small details that make or break a long awaited holiday if things go wrong. It’s a travel agent’s job […]

The million dollar family… Can you afford your kids?

September 19, 2017 in /by

Here’s a scary statistic! A leading Australian demographer estimates the total cost to parents of raising the average number of children (2.7) to independence (at 24) is $1,028,000. That’s right! A million dollars to raise the average family… And that’s assuming your family is ‘average’ and they have attained financial independence by age 24! In […]

Top 15 ways to own your home sooner!

September 10, 2017 in /by

Before taking action on any of the below ‘Top 15 Ways’, we recommend you speak with a  Finance Specialist. Call the office for more information on any of these 15 suggestions. Pay the first home loan instalment as soon as you settle Review your loan at least every two years and negotiate a cheaper rate with […]

Your interest rate may not be what it seems…

September 5, 2017 in /by

At a time of almost constant (even daily) changes in the finance world – and an absolute overload of information online – it’s easy to see why some consumers are becoming ‘switched off’. A recent study about financial literacy found 57% of respondents didn’t know that banks determine actual interest rates – not the RBA. It […]

Keeping your credit score healthy

August 27, 2017 in /by

Your credit file is one of your most important financial assets. Safeguarding this file is an important part of the finance application process. Your credit file contains: • credit applications, overdue credit accounts, payment defaults, clearouts (as a missing debtor), commercial credit information and public record information. You will have a credit score calculated from […]