Settlement and post-settlement can be confusing times. You probably have lots of questions… When is my first loan repayment due to be paid? How do I transfer the funds from my old offset account to my new offset account? What actually happens at settlement? These are just a few of the questions that we are asked frequently. For the answer to these questions and more… Click here to read the full article on the Finance Detective Blog

The recent surge in refinancing can be attributed to increased competition between the lenders, low credit growth and increased consumer awareness. Increased competition is a good sign of a healthy credit environment and can only be beneficial to consumers. I would suggest that if you have a loan and have not reviewed it in the last 12 months, now would be an excellent time to do so. Many lenders are offering competitive interest rates and refinance rebates. So in some instances, it will not cost you anything at all. I have just helped an existing client, let’s call him as …

If you’re under 55 and thinking about setting up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) you’re not alone. SMSFs are being established by younger Australians wanting greater control over their super. In March 2014, younger people represented 75% of new SMSF membersi. Before deciding if an SMSF is right for you, consider some of these important questions. How much do I need? Consider how much you’ll have if your super is combined with other potential fund members. And keep in mind that if your combined balance is less than $200,000 the ATO suggests an SMSF may not be the most cost-effective …