EVERYONE IS AN EXPERT… BE CAREFUL WHO YOU LISTEN TO

Have you ever been given advice from your family, uncle John or friends about what is the best loan and where the best properties are? Why you should invest in property and why you shouldn’t? It should be negatively geared, it should be positively geared… and so on.

Even people who have never invested in property feel they have the right to tell you why it is good or bad based on their own perspectives (and mostly without evidence or experience).

People’s opinions are so subjective. So you really do need to take care of who you listen to in this world of information overload and ‘online experts’.

Did you know that we (collectively across the globe) conduct about 40k of searches per SECOND on Google? Yes, you read correctly – per SECOND, not minute, and this is just on Google2.

With such astonishing figures, have you ever wondered how creditable the data is that we search for every day? Furthermore, most of the data has only been generated in the last few years2.

Although money does not mean everything to everyone, it certainly affects your life if you obtain incorrect information and advice.

With so much information out there and with such ease of accessibility, please don’t listen to ‘experts’ who don’t have runs on the ground.

YOUR MONEY is at stake here not THEIRS and you need to do your own research.

In regards to finance… The good news is – the finance industry in Australia is now highly regulated. As your finance specialist, we are not only accredited but are obligated to remain informed and responsive to the constant industry changes, regulations and the vast array of products we offer through different lenders to main-tain our various accreditations each year.

Q. How do I find a creditable mortgage broker?

Generally, look for people or organisations who:

are qualified, accredited or licensed in their field
have credible experience and sources
are approved members of relevant professional industry associations
provide you with quality professional industry information and commentary
have genuine and positive client testimonials
are most interested in YOUR situation and goals

Q. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO ENGAGE A BROKER?

Simply put, because we act in your best interest at all times, anytime is the best time. Ideally you should contact us before you make any decisions or changes to your finances.

As your finance expert, we discuss your goals, then explore the range of financial possibilities that are not unsuitable for your financial situation. We then document and submit your application to the lender we choose together to provide you with the best possible outcome for loan approval.

Q. Can’t I simply choose the lowest interest rate?

NO, please don’t!

It is not always just about finding the lowest interest rate!

There are many considerations for obtaining finance: fees, types of loan, features of the loan facility, lenders’ mortgage insurance, length of your loan, the structure of the loan and your accounts. The list goes on.

Typically after completing the finance exploration session with our clients, although extremely important, we find that

the lowest interest rate IS NOT always your most vital consideration when securing finance.

Due to the complexity of our product range and an enormous variety of options, it is always wise to use our in-depth knowledge and expertise to your advantage because we work for YOU not the lenders.

PLUS we save you an incredible amount of time by doing all the research for you. Why would you consider trying to find your own finance solution?

In regards to helping you with investing in property… there are also many ‘experts’ out there as well. So make sure you call us first to head you in the right direction.

Sources and links:

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Subject to lenders terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply. © 2019

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4 Tips For Finding That Perfect High Yield Property

By Kola Dev • March 19, 2025

Any property guru worth their salt will tell you that a dream property investment has nothing to do with a prestigious address or sleek amenities. The ultimate goal, is to find that perfect “high yield” property that will give you maximum returns for as little input as possible. Yield refers to the amount of cash a property produces as a percentage of its value and is calculated by the rental income you are receiving compared to the purchase price. There’s a lot more that goes into the calculations, which I’m happy to run you through, but to give you an idea on what to look for, I’ve put together some simple tips. 1. Do your research. There are plenty of stats out there that will give you the median rental yield for each suburb. This is a great place to start! 2. Look for dual income properties such as a house with a granny flat. You can potentially have two streams of rent coming in, meaning the chance for a higher rental yield significantly increases. 3. Have you thought about looking rurally? Country towns offer some great properties at a low price and because the cost of living is low, the rental yields tend to be higher. 4. Always think forward. Be on the lookout for up-and-coming areas and ask yourself if they’ll still be flourishing in five years time. At the end of the day, you need to be realistic. Just because a property has a high yield doesn’t mean it’s going to be a great investment. As a mortgage broker, I can talk you through your options for investment loans so you can see what your monthly outgoings might look like. Please call our team on (03)8657 8664 or email reception@futurefinancegroup.com.au to arrange an appointment.

7 Quick Ways to Upgrade Your Home

By Kola Dev • March 19, 2025

The continuing boom in property prices has tempted many homeowners to invest in renovations to maximise the value and then put their home straight on to the market. There’s no doubt you stand a better chance of enjoying a great return on your investment if you modernise your home. Properties that enjoy a mix of the traditional and the contemporary are in big demand among today’s buyers and nothing ticks the boxes more than a brand new kitchen or bathroom. Two increasingly popular features at the moment are a dedicated home office and a design that connects the indoors with a garden or entertaining area. But renovation projects of this size can become expensive. If your budget doesn’t allow for large-scale upgrades, there are plenty of ways to enhance the value of your home at little cost. Here’s a seven-point guide to upgrade your home. 1. Break out the brushes It’s amazing how a fresh coat of paint will improve a property. Don’t focus only on the walls but attend to the skirting boards, ceilings and architraves. Select neutral colours as these make rooms feel bigger. 2. Go green Small-scale improvements to your gardens work wonders. Focus on the front yard as this creates an all-important first impression. 3. That’s entertainment If your property lacks an area to entertain, this is a great low-cost project to enhance your property’s desirability. Consider adding a deck or a barbeque area. 4. Floor ’em A mixture of different floor types can make a home feel bitsy while a home with consistent flooring creates a great sense of flow. Replacing the floor can be a painful project but you’ll be amazed how much bigger your home feels. 5. Say it with storage You can never have too much storage. A bedroom without built-in robes is just asking for clothes on the floor. Think about storage in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and laundry and looks at ways to create clever storage solutions in nooks and under the stairs. 6. Kitchen upgrades If yours is a little tired, don’t worry – you don’t have to rip it out and spend big dollars. Consider replacing only the doors, drawers and handles. You’ll achieve a transformation at the lowest possible cost and it will feel like new. 7. Unbeatable bathroom Like the kitchen, this can be an expensive renovation. You can avoid replacing tiles by using a professional company to spray-paint them. This treatment can also be applied to sinks, baths and showers. New tapware and shower screens complete the refresh for a fraction of the cost of ripping and replacing. Please call our team on (03)8657 8664 or email reception@futurefinancegroup.com.au to arrange an appointment. *This article is provided for general information only and does not take into account the specific needs, objectives or circumstances of the reader. Before acting on any information, you should consider whether it is appropriate for your personal circumstances, carry out your own research and seek professional advice.

7 Tips for Organising Your Finances Before You Buy A Home

By Kola Dev • March 13, 2025

There are many tips for buying a property, but there’s one essential element that no one can avoid - getting your finances in great shape before you start. Knowing what you can afford is a critical element of finding your first home or the next one that takes you higher up the property ladder. The most successful buyers begin their search with their finances in order and a pre-approval letter from their bank or lender. They know their budget and tailor their efforts accordingly. There’s no greater waste of time than visiting properties that are beyond your price range. Using a mortgage broker can help you shortcut the hours of research through various banking products and good brokers have detailed market knowledge and can offer an array of products. We can suggest the loans most suitable to your circumstances and assist you with paperwork, and review your credit history. We can also help you understand any grants or tax exemptions from state and federal governments that you may be eligible for. Below are a few tips for securing the finance that will help you find your dream home. 1. Clarify your finances If you’re a homeowner, you’ll need to obtain a valuation on your current property and provide proof of current earnings. A first-time buyer will ideally have 10% of the purchase price as a deposit to get the best interest rate and conditions for their first loan but the more the better. Money for legal fees, property inspections and taxes need to be set aside, too. Make sure your tax returns are up to date to prove your earnings. It will make life easier. 2. Low barrier to entry You can obtain a conventional loan with as little as 5% of its total as your deposit. Some government-backed loans do not require a deposit. 3. It pays to save The more you save, the less you borrow. And that means lower your monthly repayments for you over the term of the loan. 4. Go for a grant First-home buyers should research the current grants from various levels of government that are designed to encourage them into the market. 5. Credit crunch You’ll need a good credit history to be attractive to lenders. Check yours out by using companies such as Experian and Equifax. If your track record is not the best, we can discuss ways to address this. If errors appear in your credit history, dispute them immediately. 6. Find the right loan You can save thousands of dollars by choosing the right mortgage product for your situation. It pays to shop around and make a note of not just the interest rate but the fees that come with it and other services that may be offered. As your mortgage broker, we can guide you through this process. 7. Be pre-approved A written undertaking from your lender will help you focus on what you can afford, as well as signal to a prospective seller and their agent that you’re not kicking tyres. Watch out for lenders who will only “pre-qualify” you, as this represents only an estimate of what you can afford and does not offer any guarantees of intention to lend. Please call our team on (03)8657 8664 or email reception@futurefinancegroup.com.au to arrange an appointment.