Posted in Australia

If you’ve got a HECS-HELP debt and you're planning to buy a home, you might be wondering how it impacts your borrowing capacity. The good news? Recent changes to HECS-HELP repayments and indexation could make it easier to qualify for a home loan.Thinking about buying your first home? Understanding how your student debt affects your loan application is key to borrowing smarter.What’s new with HECS-HELP?The federal government has introduced several changes to ease the pressure on student loa...

BackgroundChris, a long-term FinancePath client of over 15 years, first approached us at age 28. At the time, Chris had a reasonably good-paying job early in his career but only $10,000 in savings. Renting in inner-city Melbourne and travelling overseas meant saving for a deposit felt impossible — especially 15 years ago when government support for first-home buyers was limited.“I realised that I probably needed to start to plan for the future.”The ChallengeThe biggest hurdle was raisin...

Ever dreamt of waking up in a cosy mountain retreat or a beach shack overlooking the ocean – and calling it your own? Sounds pretty good, right?Whether you’re chasing a sea change, a tree change, or just a spot to unwind, buying a holiday home can be a great way to diversify your property portfolio and create your own escape. But before you dive in, there are a few things you’ll want to think about.1) Plan how you’ll use itStart by asking yourself: How often will I use this place...

If you are considering making that next property purchase, we recommend you get a home loan pre-approval first.Not only does it save you time on your property search but also protects you from overspending at an auction.Follow these 3 easy steps to get your home loan pre-approval sorted today:1) Collect your documentsProof of identityProof of income and savingsProof of living expenses and other expenditureEvidence of current assets and liabilities
 2) Talk with us to find outHow much c...

Buying your first home is a huge milestone and thanks to the expanded Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, it’s now more achievable than ever.From 1 October, eligible first-home buyers can purchase a property with just a 5% deposit and no lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI). That’s a big saving, and it’s expected that around 70,000 Australians will take advantage of the scheme in its first year.With fewer barriers to entry and significant savings on upfront costs, the 5% Deposit Sch...