First Homeowners Set Record
As expected first home buyers have set a record last year for the largest ever increase of purchasing homes. With the government boosted grant it has been no surprise that many first home buyers took the opportunity to get on the property ladder. However as with everything there is no doubt with that 2010 will see the biggest drop in home buyers since records began.
Get credit for being a good repayer
If you are looking for personal finance and like the majority of Australians finding it hard then you might be in for a change. Reports in the media suggest that the way your credit score is compiled and viewed by credit agencies and leading lenders is about to change. Read more
Rentals Prices to go up in 2010
You have probably realised without talking or mentioning to anyone that rental prices have stayed put in the last 12 months. This is a big change from 2008 when rental prices suddenly shot up. Report from the Australian Property Monitors are indicating that rental prices in 2010 are on the way back up. Read more
Aussie Dollar at New Highs, Good?
With the Aussie dollar at record highs against other major currencies e.g. the British Pound and the US Dollar you have to wonder whether these highs are good or bad for a. the Australian economy, b. the Australian investor and c. the Australian consumer. Read more
Westpac Right to Hike Rates?
There is no surprise that interest rates are on the up, and it would seem that most of us have had plenty of warning so that we can budget for the festive period; however some customers of Westpac would not have budgeted for their massive 45 base point hike. Is this morally right just before Christmas, is right that some banks surprise customers, will customers ditch Westpac? Read more
Reduction in Home Loans
DEMAND for home loans eased for a second straight month in August, coming off the boil even before yesterday’s first official interest rate rise in 19 months. Read more
Interest Rates are on the up
THE big banks have moved to increase interest rates on standard variable home loans in what is likely to be the first of many rate hikes. Westpac and Commonwealth Bank are the latest to announce rate hikes, raising standard variable rates.
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Paying for School Dinners
Credit cards and the internet are not playing a part in purchases of school lunches.
The days of children handing a brown paper bag and coins to the canteen lady – or being bullied for their lunch money – are coming to an end as school lunches go cashless and thousands of families set up online accounts to order food.
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Which Savings Account
If you are looking for the highest interest on your savings accounts then you would be wise to avoid any of the big 4 savings accouts. A recent report has commeted how the big four are offering some of the worst interest rates. Read more
Grant Supporting Housing Market
There seems to hope for the faltering housing market this. Latest reports suggest that in New South Wales the hosing market is till being supported by the improved first home buyers grant.
The number of first home buyer grants taken up across the state was 7,354 for the month of June, compared to 4,311 for February. Read more