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Buying property

First home savers accounts, negative gearing and real estate industry tricks.

Articles

What we learned at mortgage broking school The bar is set low for becoming a certified mortgage broker, and the emphasis of the course work is sales and marketing.

How to find a good mortgage broker Navigating the maze of home loan offers.

How to make home loans safe for Australian consumers Mortgage brokers must be forced to act in the best interests of their customers.

You too can become a certified mortgage broker The bar is set low for becoming a certified mortgage broker. How do we know? We took the course and got certified.

Government gives in to mortgage broking lobbyists CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland says our politicians are sending the message that parliament can be bullied out of doing the right thing.

Why the mortgage broking lobby is already proving Hayne right CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland on the mortgage broker backlash to the banking royal commission.

Are mortgage brokers acting in our best interest? The banking royal commission calls for an end to mortgage broker commissions.

Mortgage brokers and the 'best interest' duty CHOICE is calling for an end to commissions for mortgage brokers and the introduction of a 'best interest' duty to ensure consumers get the best deal.

Vendor finance and rent-to-buy schemes Think twice (or thrice) before signing up to these dodgy deals.

Can you use your super to save for a home? The First Home Super Saver Scheme is supposed to make home ownership happen quicker for some, but it isn't right for everyone.

Hidden bank discounts could save home owners $3800 It's tough finding the best deal when you're not told about mortgage discounts.

NAB issues $1.7m in refunds after overcharging on 966 mortgages The news comes after the bank fired 20 brokers and docked the pay of another 32.

NAB fires 20 bankers over 2300 cases of loan fraud Two years on and the bank is ready to remedy affected customers.

Mortgage brokers rewarded for preying on the vulnerable: consumer groups Broker commissions are said to conflict with the best interest of customers.

Commissions paid to mortgage brokers grew by $900m in three years Brokers commission an average of $4600 per loan, report finds.

Property valuations and price estimates Figuring out how much your house is worth is no easy feat.

Crackdown on interest-only lending: ASIC Eight banks to offer struggling homeowners remedies.

Mortgage broker myths debunked in ASIC investigation Report finds you'll get no better interest rates than through a bank , but you'll borrow more and be exposed to more risk.

Do I need a buyer's agent to buy a house? A buyer's agent or advocate should make the process of finding a new home easier and less stressful, but are they worth the money?

Real estate price underquoting Looking to buy property? Beware the price guides, which are often lower than the final sale price.

Apartment building defects Thinking of purchasing an apartment or unit? Make sure you know what you're buying into.

Saving for a first home The journey of a 20-something first home saver.

Risky financial moves for over-50s Reverse mortgages, home reversion schemes and SMSFs.

The hidden costs of retirement village contracts Don't sign on the dotted line until you understand the deal.

Mortgage broker investigation CHOICE sent five home buyers to some of Australia's best known mortgage brokers to test the advice on offer.

How we shadow shop mortgage brokers We sent five home buyers to some of Australia's biggest mortgage broker businesses: AFG, Aussie and Mortgage Choice.

Using mortgage brokers Can a mortgage broker really find you a better deal on your home loan, or are they all just in it for the commission?

Negative gearing Choose the right gear for your investments.

NSW Fair Trading cracks down on underquoting 14 January 2015 | Penalties of $22,000 for real estate agents who fudge the figures

Real estate industry's influence on newspapers Should you believe everything you read in the property section of your newspaper?

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The property experts

Our property experts know how hard it can be to dive into the property market and come out a home owner. They look at the different options available for achieving the great Aussie dream and making the transition from renter to owner a smooth one.