5 Tips to Pay off Your Christmas Debt Faster

Gino FarinaMoney

Heading into the New Year with your Christmas debt hanging over you is an unsettling feeling. Here are 5 key tips you can follow to save money and reduce your debt quicker, to get you off to a good start for 2019. Tip 1: Consolidate Your Debts If you’ve got multiple personal debts, consolidating them can streamline your debt into …

Be Aware of Product Comparison Sites

Gino FarinaMoney

Before renewing an insurance policy or signing up for a new credit card, it’s a good idea to do your homework. Many people research and obtain quotes from free product comparison websites such as iSelect, Compare the Market, Choosi, Finder, and Canstar. But what does “free” actually mean, and are their recommendations unbiased? Comparison Sites “Do Not Necessarily Provide Good …

The Ins and Outs of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)

Gino FarinaHome Loans

What is LMI? Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is insurance that a lender takes out to protect itself against the risk of not recovering the full loan balance, if you, as the borrower, are unable to meet your home loan’s repayments. If this occurs and the property is sold, any shortfall between the outstanding loan balance and the proceeds from the …

Does Your Mortgage Rate Start with a Three?

Gino FarinaRefinancing

With such a wide range of mortgage products available today, it can be overwhelming trying to work out the pros and cons, and if the mortgage you have is the best option for you. In the current home loan environment, the general rule of thumb is that the rate should start with a three. However, if it doesn’t and you’re …

The Current Property Market and National Housing Outlook

Gino FarinaProperty Updates

National Dwelling Values Fall by Half a Percent in October According to the CoreLogic Home Value Index results for October 2018, tighter credit conditions and lower dwelling values across Australia have contributed to slower housing activity, with the annual decline across the nation at 3.5%, and the home value index reporting a 0.5% fall in dwelling values nationally in October. …

Reverse Mortgages

Gino FarinaOther Loans

What is a Reverse Mortgage? Reverse mortgages let pensioners and retirees from the age of 60 convert the equity in their property into cash. No income is required to qualify but credit providers are required by the law to lend money responsibly, so not everyone will be able to access this type of loan. Although interest is charged as with …

What Are Buyer’s Agents and How Can They Help You?

Gino FarinaServices

What is a Buyer’s Agent? A buyer’s agent is a licenced real estate professional that specialises in searching, locating, evaluating and negotiating the purchase of a property on behalf of a prospective home buyer. In a real estate transaction, a real estate agent works for the vendor and a buyer’s agent represents the interests of the buyer. Benefits of Engaging …

My Financial Health

Gino FarinaMoney

This month, I have launched the first element of the My Financial Health Program, a secure online portal where you can store all of your personal finances and manage them either at home or on the go. The Wealth Portal uses the latest technology and bank level security to provide a platform where you can organise and analyse your finances, …

Buy Your First Home with the First Home Super Saver Scheme

Gino FarinaFirst Home Buyers

The First Home Super Saver Scheme First homebuyers across Australia have a new way to get into the property market with the First Home Super Saver (FHSS) Scheme. Introduced on July 1 2017, the First Home Super Saver (FHSS) Scheme lets homebuyers access money from their superannuation fund to help them secure their first home. How it works is that …

Be Aware of Changes to Self-Managed Super Fund Loans

Gino FarinaSMSF Lending

What is a Self-Managed Super Fund? A Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) is a private superannuation fund, regulated by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that you manage yourself. Set up costs and annual running expenses can be high, so it’s most cost-effective if you have a larger superannuation balance. A common reason for starting a SMSF is greater access to a …