The WinSmart Finance Solutions Blog

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Property valuation: what you need to know when buying a home

When buying property, it’s good to know the market value. After all, you want to know you’re paying a fair amount. But the property’s value is […]

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Heads up business owners: the asset write-off deadline is looming!

Business owners wanting to buy a vehicle, asset or important piece of equipment and immediately write off the full cost have just over a month to […]

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More home buyers set to benefit from low deposit, no LMI schemes

More Australians (and permanent residents!) will soon be eligible for a leg up into the property market under an expanded Home Guarantee Scheme. Today we’ll run […]

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Homeowners brace as RBA raises cash rate to 3.85%

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the official cash rate for the 11th time in the past year, taking it to 3.85%. Have we […]

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Tips to help stay on top amidst the rate hike cycle

With every RBA rate rise announcement, mortgage holders brace themselves for impending repayment increases. Here’s how to stay on top of your mortgage and feel financially […]

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Property listings and prices are bouncing back

As property prices start to climb, listings are following suit. So if you’re hunting for a home, what does this mean for you? If you’ve been […]

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What is the fixed-rate cliff and how can refinancing help?

You’ve probably heard the term “fixed-rate cliff” bandied about in finance news feeds. But what is it? And if you’re about to head over it, how […]

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Mortgage holders granted a reprieve as RBA puts interest rates on hold

And … exhale. After 10 straight rate hikes the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today decided to put the official cash rate on hold. But […]

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Money habits that may raise lenders’ eyebrows

We all know being on our monetary best behaviour can help to land a home loan. But did you know there are common spending habits you […]

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Time to jump in? First home buyer deposit saving times plunge

Home loan headlines have been, let’s face it, a bit of a downer of late. But the good news is that first-home buyers are now reaching […]

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Got an eagle eye on house prices? Rate rises are only part of the story

Rate rises can affect the property market, as we’ve all seen of late. But there are other factors that appear to hold longer-term sway over national […]

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Homeowners feel the pinch as RBA lifts cash rate to 3.60%

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the official cash rate for a tenth straight meeting, taking it to 3.60%. How much will this rate […]

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The latest twist in the tale of national property prices: explained

The property market has had more plot twists than a daytime soap opera in recent years. So getting the skinny on current trends is helpful when […]

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Take the heat off rate hike fears with these 4 tips for buyers

Have recent rate hikes made you nervous about taking the plunge into the property market? You’re not alone; it’s a buyer’s market for a reason. Here’s […]

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How to prepare for a fixed-rate mortgage cliff

Do you have a fixed-rate mortgage contract that’s coming to an end soon? It can be a stressful time, particularly with rate rise news dominating the […]

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RBA hikes the cash rate for the ninth time in a row, to 3.35%

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has kicked off 2023 by increasing the cash rate a further 25 basis points to 3.35%. How much will this […]

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Considering refinancing your mortgage? Here are some questions to ask

Home loan not up to scratch? Looking for a better rate? Or do you want to unlock equity? Then refinancing could be for you. But there […]

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Can a job switch affect your mortgage application?

Changing jobs may offer more perks – higher income, greater fulfilment, and the opportunity for growth are often things people look for in a new gig. […]

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Planning a reno in 2023? Here are 4 tips for smooth sailing

Having a spruced-up home feels great. And it can also boost your home’s value. But, as exciting as the prospect of rolling up your sleeves and […]

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Get a financial head start on the school year

Finding the time to delve into your finances can be a struggle. But the school holidays can offer the perfect time, especially for teachers. Get cracking […]

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What you should know about buying a tenanted investment property

Buying a rental property is a popular way to invest. But where do you stand if the property you’re eyeing off already has a tenant? We’ll […]

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4 New Year’s resolutions for financial fitness

As the sun rises on January 1, many Australians will be getting started on their new year’s pacts. The gym will be full of determined resolution […]

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Seasons greetings! Here’s to a happy and prosperous 2023

End-of-year festivities have snuck up on us! Wishing you and yours a swell Noel and a wonderful new year. It’s time to dust off that kitsch […]

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First home buyer numbers have halved: is it time to swoop in?

Repeated cash rate hikes have put many first home buyer plans on hold. So could you swoop in and reap the benefits with less competition in […]

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Are we there yet? RBA hikes cash rate for eighth straight month to 3.10%

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has driven the cash rate up by another 25 basis points to 3.10%. Find out how much this final cash […]

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Where there’s a will (and genuine savings), there’s a way

Inheritances can be a bittersweet part of life. But an inheritance alone won’t always cut it when applying for a home loan. Having genuine savings can […]

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Your new phone or your home loan? What would you research more?

What’s more important: your new phone or your next home loan? Well, we were stunned to see a recent survey that showed Australians put more effort […]

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5 surprising reasons for home loan heartbreak

Whether it’s your love life or your home loan application, no one likes getting rejected. There are many reasons why it could happen, and some can […]

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Buying could be cheaper than renting for a third of properties

For many Australians, rate hikes and inflation have made the dream of property ownership feel ever more distant. But a recent analysis shows that meeting mortgage […]

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Hold your horses: RBA hikes cash rate again to 2.85%

Whoa, Nelly! The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has lifted the official cash rate again, this time by another 25 basis points to 2.85%. How much […]

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With property prices dropping, is now the time to refinance?

You may have heard that property values are on the decline. But what does this mean if you’re planning to refinance? We’ll discuss how falling housing […]

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Is now a good time to buy an investment property?

You’ve bought a home. And now you might be considering adding an investment property to your portfolio. But have recent interest rate hikes cooled your heels? […]

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Nurses and midwives now eligible for LMI waiver

Nurses, midwives and other important healthcare professionals can now qualify for a lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) waiver policy. Here’s how it could save them thousands and […]

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RBA lifts cash rate for the sixth month in a row to 2.60%

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has hiked the official cash rate by another 25 basis points to 2.60%. How much will this rate hike increase […]

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How to escape renting and get into the property market

The recent decline in rental properties has caused many to feel uncertain about their housing situation. Here’s how you can leave renting in the dust and […]

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How long does it take for an interest rate rise to kick in?

Household budgets around the country are feeling the brunt of five back-to-back rate hikes. And we’ve been warned more are on the way. But just how […]

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Is now a good time to buy?

Recent back-to-back interest rate hikes have led to a cooling of the property market, and with more rate rises predicted, you may feel like pumping the […]

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RBA hikes the cash rate for fifth straight month to 2.35%

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has hiked the official cash rate by another 50 basis points to 2.35%. Here’s how much you can expect to […]

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Could an eco reno boost your property’s value?

You’ve probably heard that interest rates are on the rise and national property prices are on the way back down. Here’s how you can kill two […]

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Why you might want to refinance sooner rather than later

Thinking about refinancing? As interest rates rise, so do the hurdles you need to clear. Here’s why you might want to look at refinancing soon to […]

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Getting your home loan approved faster

Every home loan application is unique, so the time between your first contact with your broker and approval can never be predetermined. If an application is […]

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Tips for securing a business loan

Securing a business loan isn’t necessarily difficult but knowing how to navigate your way can be the difference between success and failure. Banks and other financial […]

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LMI

Lenders mortgage insurance (LMI)

Lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) is required when the value of a loan is more than 80% of a property’s purchase price, or property valuation if refinancing. […]

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How do lenders assess applications?

While loan officers work solely for a lending institution and can only offer that institution’s products, brokers can help connect you to the lender best fit […]

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Why your finance broker is calling you

Wondering why your finance broker is contacting you six months after you’ve settled on your property? The simple answer is that a finance broker is with […]

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Fixed rate versus variable loans

Fixed rate loans A fixed rate loan is one that maintain the same interest rate over a set period of time regardless of market fluctuations in […]

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Five ways to fund a renovation

Considering transforming your home from ‘banal’ to ‘brilliant’, but lack the funds to support your makeover? Never fear, we’ve rounded up five home renovation finance options […]

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Do you know your interest rate?

Interest rates are a big factor in each repayment and the total cost over the life of a loan, so staying on top of your current […]

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Construction loans

If you’re thinking of building your own home, you’ll need to be familiar with the ins-and-outs of construction loans. Construction loans are not as straightforward as […]

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Comparison rates

Comparing apples with oranges doesn’t make sense. To make finding the right loan easier, and to make advertised rates as transparent as possible, there are comparison […]

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