Welcome to our first edition of Haven for 2017. Our lead finance articles focus on two topics that are frequently in the home loan headlines. With interest rates still low, should you be looking to switch your home loan to a lower rate option to help pay down your mortgage quicker? We’ve put together a guide to refinancing that may help you make the decision. Our second article focuses on first home buyers and affordability, and with many feeling it’s near–on impossible to get into the market for the first time, we run a microscope over this contentious topic. If you fall into either of these camps, be sure to read our thoughts. It might not be a common thing in our modern times, but nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through a house. In Haven Food we have a great recipe for a delicious oatmeal bread...
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Your feedback is important to us, and to show our appreciation all of our customers who have provided feedback on their recently settled loan go into the chance to win a small thank you gift each month. January's winner is Sherradin, who has won a $500 Coles Myer Gift Card. Congratulations Sherradin!
With the new year underway, we’ve come to the first rate news for 2017. I’d like to share today’s rate announcement and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. As widely predicted the RBA has kept rates on hold as it continues to look for the balance between containing house price growth and managing below target inflation levels, record low wages growth and slow economic growth. Even though the official cash rate has remained unchanged, lenders can move their rates independently, so you may see a change to your rate. Of course, one of the many benefits of having me as your mortgage broker onside is I’m very happy to speak to you at any time to ensure you still have the right financial solution for your current circumstances.
Congratulations to Daniel who is our monthly winner for our thank you survey, Daniel wins an $500 Bunnings Gift Card for his efforts. We appreciate his feedback, that's why each month we give our customers who have recently settled a loan the chance to go in the competition to win a small thank you gift.
This month’s Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate decision has just been announced; the last decision for this year in what has certainly been a jam packed 12 months. I’m pleased to share this update with you and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this call. The RBA elected to adopt a wait and see approach over the Christmas and New Year period and has left the cash rate on hold at 1.5%. Between now and its next meeting in February, the Reserve Bank will weigh up a number of factors including the ‘Trump effect’ which some lenders are attributing to rising funding costs and consequently increasing fixed loan interest rates. Low inflation, slow economic growth, improving commodity prices, a stronger Australian dollar and ongoing concerns around some inner city property markets are among the other factors the RBA will need to take into account….
Welcome to our summer edition of Haven. Do you know what an offset savings account is? A recent survey has shown almost half of those Australian mortgage holders quizzed were unsure about how they work. We investigate how an offset account may help you pay off your mortgage sooner. If you're new to the property buying game, you may be mystified by the real estate jargon. To help clear the air, we've put together a list of terms you're likely to encounter when buying or selling a house. Are you planning to renovate? With DIY going digital we've put together a list of ten useful design and renovation apps that should help you on your way. Think of them as your virtual tradie. Please enjoy this edition of Haven and as we move into the festive time of the year I would like to wish you and your family a...
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The RBA has opted to leave the official cash rate on hold at 1.5%. With celebrations for the race that stops a nation in full swing, I’d like to share today’s rate announcement and the thoughts on why the Reserve Bank of Australia has made this decision. The RBA has resisted temptation to further lower rates. In making this decision it appears to have taken into account stable unemployment figures, improving commodity prices and concerns about further stimulating the Sydney and Melbourne property prices whilst discounting for the moment, concerns about low inflation. Even though the official cash rate has remained unchanged, lenders can move their rates independently, so you may see a change to your rate. Of course, one of the many benefits of having me as your mortgage broker onside is I’m very happy to speak to you at any time to ensure you still have the right…