A white-label loan is essentially a home-branded loan, much like the home-branded products you see in the supermarket aisles. Like these products, white-label loans aim to deliver many of the same great features as bank-branded home loans, but for a lower cost to you the customer. A trend seen in supermarkets over recent years has been not only an increase in the range of white-label options on offer, but also an increase in the quality of those products. This trend has continued to the extent that white-label products are now frequently of equal, or near equal, quality as their branded counterparts. In the same way, banks across Australia provide ‘unbranded’ mortgage products to brokers,

When you’re house hunting, it’s easy to get distracted by aesthetics. This checklist will help you focus on what’s really important at a property inspection. Is it right for you? Is a spare bedroom, second bathroom or ensuite a must? Will everyone be safe or comfortable climbing stairs? Does your dog need space to roam? Be realistic about the features you can’t live without. Floor plan and room sizes Walk around the property to get a sense of how one room flows into the next. Check whether the rooms are the right size and shape for your existing furniture and appliances. If not, are you prepared to splash out on replacements? The rooms should also be practical. For example, does the kitchen

If you’re on a temporary working visa in Australia and wish to return home, you may be wondering whether you can claim superannuation earned during your employment here. This payment is called a Departing Australian Superannuation Payment (DASP), which you can claim if you meet the required criteria. Chasing down your super payments can be a bit of a hassle, but we’ve broken down the steps here: read on to learn more about eligibility requirements, ways of applying, and other important details! Eligibility criteria for claiming a DASP Before making a claim, make sure you have read and meet the following criteria (Source: Australian Taxation Office): 1. you entered Australia on a temporary vi

You’ve heard that investing in property is a great way to build your wealth, and has relatively minimal risk: however, working with a solid investment plan takes time, money, and devotion. When it comes to financing your chosen property, there are a wide range of different loan products with their own advantages and disadvantages…but first, you’ll need to navigate the application process! 1. Determine how much you can borrow Your borrowing power is determined by a review of your financial situation: whether you have a stable job, manageable expenses, your current savings and credit history . This information is required as the lender needs to know that you will be able to make your repayment

When applying for a loan, you’ll need to provide proof of income in your application. This can prove tricky if you are self-employed, as you might not always have typical forms of income verification on hand. However, there are other acceptable alternatives that you can present as proof of your income. Tax Returns Depending on the lender, providing the last two financial years’ tax returns is typically accepted as proof of income. Lenders will be looking for a consistent, steady flow of taxable income. As with most new businesses in their first year, you might have had initially low profits and expensive outlays: which will impact your borrowing power. If there is a big difference in income

Whether you’re a personal trainer or a large computer repair shop, if you want to grow and build your business, you’ll need to attract new customers and keep them coming back for more. Effectively marketing your business is one way to grow your brand and your business. What is marketing? Marketing is a strategic mix of activities that aim to build your business’s brand. Having a strong brand helps potential customers to easily identify your business and connect with it. If you have a logo, a slogan or a website you’re already using marketing in your business, but marketing is about more than just fancy logos and glossy brochures. Marketing is also about: 1. how your business is positioned in

When your investment property lies vacant for even a short time, your earnings can take a big hit. So how do you get the best out of your property in a competitive market? Here are some tips to make your property stand out from the pack. What tenants want Property managers and agents know that many tenants judge properties based on the property size, the state of the kitchen, air conditioning, and storage options. It’s possible to add or fix some of these things by renovating, but beware of overcapitalising. Don’t spend more on improvements than you can realistically recoup by asking a higher rental price. Maximise your floor plan Obviously the number of bedrooms in a rental property is impo