What does homeowner's insurance cover?

Home insurance covers the cost of repairing your property if it is damaged or destroyed in an insurable event. These events could include natural disasters such as storms or fires, unfortunate circumstances such as falling trees, or criminal activity such as break-ins or vandalism.  

What can personal loan statistics tell Australians about borrowing?

When you apply for a personal loan or any other form of credit, it’s important to make a decision that will work for your household’s financial situation and your personal goals. It can also be worth looking at some statistics to see how your credit plans fit in with the wider Australian economy, so you can be more confident about the decisions you are making.

Housing affordability stopping first home buyers in their tracks – what alternatives are available?

A new report shows that housing affordability is still hitting first home buyers (FHBs) hard, with just 57% of FHBs thinking now is a good time to buy, compared to 67% last year. As pathways to traditional home ownership become harder to tread, many FHBs are open to alternative strategies.

Can an international student have a term deposit?

Banking for overseas students can be complicated, but you may still be able to steadily grow your funds as an international student by using a term deposit. 

Can I get a car loan if I am on disability benefit?

Not every lender will accept pensions or government benefits as income when assessing loan applications, though some lenders will. Borrowers on disability benefits can still apply for a car loan, though it’s important to calculate if you can comfortably afford the loan before you apply. 

How to budget for a home loan with a repayment calculator

Most Australians dream of owning a home. Even if this dream may seem out of reach, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start saving and researching how to reach your homeowner goal.

Some of the best home loans for investors and refinancers in November 2022

The interest rate rises announced following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) November 2022 meeting have come into effect. While new lending has reportedly plummeted, with the year’s combined rate rises knocking $214k off the average home loan budget, existing homeowners and investors could find themselves in a position to refinance to a mortgage that offers greater value for their financial situation.

Can you find your bank account number online?

If your bank offers online services, you should be able to find your bank account number online by logging into your account on your bank’s website and checking your details there.

Why this could be the time to invest in solar

The cost of living is high and rising, with energy bills playing a significant role. With this in mind, could the potential financial benefits of a solar power system be worth the installation costs?  

Investing in serviced apartments

Buying an investment property can let you benefit from both rental yields and capital growth, though there’s always a risk that there could be periods where your property fails to attract tenants. Investing in serviced apartments could potentially help to offset this risk, as someone else will be managing the tenants for you, though there are other complications to consider.