There have been some recent changes that could affect anyone considering buying residential property through a self-managed super fund (SMSF). A new law has now been passed, and from 10 August 2026, SMSFs will no longer be able to borrow money to purch .......
The 2026 Federal Budget has introduced some of the biggest proposed property and tax changes we’ve seen in years — particularly for investors and future home buyers. From changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax through to expanded first home .......
There’s been a lot of noise lately about rising costs, interest rates and what might be coming next – and it’s leaving many people wondering what it all actually means for them. At its core, the current environment comes down to a simple combination: c .......
For first-home buyers in 2025, saving for your first property can feel like climbing a mountain. With rising property prices, changing economic conditions, and an ever-evolving housing market, having a smart savings strategy is more important than ever .......
Investing in property is not a straightforward process. It requires thorough due diligence and guidance from qualified finance and property professionals to ensure your purchase ticks all the right boxes for both macro and micro fundamentals of capital .......
First Home Buyers | Mortgage Explainers | January 2025 As a first home buyer in Australia, you may come across the term Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) while applying for a home loan. LMI is a type of insurance that protects the lender – not you .......
As 2025 begins, there’s a sense of optimism for homeowners and buyers. After a stretch of higher mortgage interest rates, there’s hope this year might offer some relief, making repayments more manageable and opening doors for those looking to refinance .......
Good news for first-home buyers! Three government-backed schemes are currently available under the Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS) that make it easier to purchase a home with a smaller deposit. Here’s a quick guide to what’s available: 1. First Home Guaran .......
In recent years, townhouses have surged in popularity across Australia, attracting both buyers and investors to this versatile housing option. Once primarily popular in Sydney due to high property prices and limited land, townhouses are now in demand i .......
With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon, many investors are wondering if now is the time to buy property and leverage the influx of visitors expected for the event. Short-term rentals, like those on Airbnb, are particularly appealing for high yi .......
Buying your first home often means making sacrifices, especially in terms of location. Many of Perth’s most affordable and fast-growing suburbs are further from the CBD, offering better value if you’re open to a longer commute. With the rise of remote .......
Negative gearing is a popular strategy among Australian property investors for good reason—it offers significant tax benefits and the potential for long-term financial growth. What is negative gearing? In simple terms, negative gearing happens when the .......
Owning your first home is an exciting milestone, but the path to homeownership has its challenges. We’ve identified six common hurdles first-time buyers face, and with a bit of preparation, they can be easily overcome. 1. Credit Scores: Understanding & .......
Keeping track of the interest rates for each loan you have and all of your payments can turn into a real headache. Fortunately, there is a way to make things a little easier for yourself; debt consolidation.
Choosing the right home loan is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, and with today’s unpredictable market, it’s more important than ever to understand your options. Should you lock in with a Fixed-rate loan, ride the waves with a Variab .......
As Sydney’s property market continues to grow, affordability and potential for return on investment (ROI) remain key considerations for property buyers and investors alike. While some areas in the city have become prohibitively expensive, there are sti .......
Have you ever wondered why some people get approved for loans with competitive rates while others struggle? The secret often comes down to a few crucial digits: your credit score. What’s a credit score? From the moment you take out a credit card, perso .......
First-home buyers in Australia have an exciting array of incentives at their fingertips – but are they aware of them? With several government support and financial schemes on offer, you might be closer to owning your first home than you think! What you .......
What defines a successful property purchase? According to our friends at Meridian Australia, three key factors characterise a successful purchase: timing (when to buy a property), location (buying in a high-growth area), and property retention (the len .......
If you’re stuck in a “mortgage prison” and can’t refinance to a lower interest rate or if you’ve had to give up your homeownership dreams because of tough “serviceability” requirements, there’s hope on the horizon. Some of .......
We have 10 useful tips to improve your borrowing capacity and help you get on the property ladder or into a new home sooner. Before you apply for a loan, it’s a good idea to get your financials in the best possible position. By improving spending habit .......
Many borrowers on an expiring fixed rate will want to refinance rather than letting their mortgages revert to a higher standard variable rate. However, some borrowers may find themselves stuck with their current lender aka ‘mortgage prison’.
Struggling to save a home loan deposit? The First Home Guarantee could allow you to buy with 5% or as little as 2% using the Family Home Guarantee for single parents.
One of the biggest obstacles first home buyers face is saving for a home deposit. A family guarantee could help first home buyers get on the property ladder sooner, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
About 40% of outstanding mortgages in late 2021 were fixed rates. Of those, 75% are set to expire by the end of 2023. At the time, these were some of the lowest interest rates ever seen in Australia.
If you're struggling to meet your mortgage repayments don't worry. Follow these tips to get yourself back on track.
Have a variable or split home loan? Repricing is an easy process that could help you get a lower interest rate and put more money back in your pocket.
As you apply for a mortgage, you’ll hear about Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). This is a type of insurance that lenders take out to cover themselves in case the borrower (you) isn’t able to make repayments anymore.
Lenders will include different loan features to make their mortgage products more attractive. Let's find out which features suit you best.
Being approved for a home loan isn’t as easy as simply deciding to get one. There are steps you will need to go through before the bank will even consider your application.
A business owner searching for finance to purchase two new vehicles is unhappy with the options the bank provided them. They go to Nectar Asset Finance and were able to finance not two, but ten vehicles!
A bridging loan is a special type of short-term loan made for people who are buying their next property while still trying to sell their current home.
Interest rates can change from day to day, meaning that even if you’re approved for a home loan when rates are low, it could increase by the time you reach a settlement. A good way to take care of that is with a rate lock.
One of the first things lenders do when you apply for a home loan is contact an agency - like Equifax, Illion or Experian - who calculates your credit score and look at whether you have a good score or not. But what is a credit score and why is it so i .......
While prices have decreased slightly in recent months, if you bought a house around 2020 it’s likely you’ve still experienced strong growth in your property value and equity.
Want to know how to build equity in your property and then use that equity to invest or renovate? Read on...
Renovating your home is not a cheap endeavour, but these cost-saving tips could help you achieve great results without breaking the bank!
Fixed vs Variable rates. What kind of loan should you choose in the current property market? Find out more here.
The Reserve Bank (RBA) has raised the nation’s official cash rate (OCR) for the third month in a row in an effort to curb rising inflation.
If the cash rate increases, it's important to know how your finances could be affected. Checking you are on the right loan is a good place to start.
When banks assess your loan application, they add an extra amount to your market mortgage rate, known as a serviceability buffer.
Buying in a new area is about more than price. Amenities, future developments and transport options are also important considerations.
Homeowners have never had so much equity, but when's the time to access it? More support is on its way for first home buyers, Interest rates are on the move and more.
Whether you’re thinking of selling up or your home is overdue a much-needed facelift, renovations are a great way to spruce up your property while adding value to it in the process.
Credit defaults and negative listings can make it harder to get mortgage approval. Using the services of a credit repair company can help.
There are plenty of deals in this competitive market, and some lenders are waiving fees and offering cashback deals from $1,000 - $4,000 as an incentive to refinance with them. BUT how do you truly know which deal is right for you?
In order to become mortgage-free as soon as possible, we’ve compiled five tips and strategies to help you pay it off faster. The practicality of each method will vary depending on your own personal circumstances, so we recommend using different combina .......
Negative gearing - a term you hear a lot in investor circles, but what exactly does it mean? If successfully executed, this strategy can bring tax advantages and potential for significant capital gain. Negative gearing – a term you hear a lot in invest .......
Struggling to save a home loan deposit? The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) and the New Home Guarantee could allow you to buy with 5% or as little as 2% using the Family Home Guarantee for single parents.
Owning your first home can be scary and exciting all at the same time. After chatting to past clients, we‘ve worked out 5 hurdles most people encounter when owning their first home. If you or someone you know are thinking about dipping their toes in th .......
Property investing is not a simple process, it requires comprehensive due diligence and the use of appropriately qualified finance and property professionals to ensure the purchase is of stellar quality, ticking all of the macro and micro fundamentals .......
With recent Federal Government stimulus packages and successive interest rate cuts, optimism is building with many economists predicting strong growth across all capitals going into 2021.
Ready to get started on your property investment path, or looking to develop your property portfolio? Ask your Nectar broker to put you in touch with an expert Property Investment Consultant. We’d love to hear from you.
When it comes to selecting the best possible investment property, there’s no denying the old adage of ‘location, location, location’ applies as much to new housing as to established property. When it comes to selecting the best possible investment prop .......
Sign the petition and keep the competition alive. The commission works well because many borrowers don't want to pay their broker a fee, and often can't afford to, as they are saving for a house. Replacing commission with a multi-thousand dollar upfron .......
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) scheme was first introduced in Australia on 1 July 2000, to help first-time buyers get a foothold in the property market.
Spring is here! Which means, like it or not, silly season is just around the corner. The good news is that there is still time to save for a nice, relaxed holiday period. Nectar has put together a list to help you take control of your finances before s .......
Suffering from the winter blues? Daydreaming of a getaway? It turns out your tropical holiday may not be as out of reach as you first thought.
“You could just about buy it on your credit card”. We’ve written an article or two about luxury homes, rainforest retreats and private islands, as well as the odd story about derelict dwellings. This house falls soundly into the latter category. In the .......
With space at a premium more and more in our big cities, apartment-style living has never been more viable. With space at a premium more and more in our big cities, apartment-style living has never been more viable. When checking out your options, many .......
That elusive home deposit or family holiday may be closer than you think! We have some tips to share that will boost your savings and, best of all, require minimal effort. save you big money
In a recent report from consultancy firm Arcadis, San Francisco emerged as the world’s most expensive city to build in. The top 25 is mostly comprised of major cities in Northern America and Europe, with Australia also featuring three cities on the lis .......
Trends point to June being the best time of year to secure yourself a great deal on a new set of wheels. With dealers wanting to end their financial year on a high, prices and deals are expected to start dropping in the next few weeks, making June the .......
When is the right time of year to buy a home? If you’ve pondered this question, chances are that you are serious about buying and getting your foot on the ladder. Research has shown that the seasons and the weather they bring have a definite impact on .......
When it comes to property investment, there are two key paths you can follow. Either a long-term capital growth focus or a strategy with a positive cash flow focus. Although possible, it is rare to find an investment property that achieves both. So bef .......
So which neighbourhoods, in both Sydney and the rest of the nation, were the fastest growing last year?
With house prices rising rapidly around the country it’s no surprise you may be considering downsizing to a more manageable property. Like anything, there are pros and cons to downsizing, which should be considered before calling the real estate agent.