Home buyers tips: From search to sold
Buying a residential porperty can be a long, tedious process. And if you’re not ready, you could easily fall into a hole of home buyers stress and frustration. But don’t lose hope. Armed with the right knowledge and a solid plan, you’ll be a homeowner before you can say ‘sold’!
Let’s walk through the key steps you need to take (and prepare yourself for) to score the best home.
The right fit: Finding the workout that works for you
As we emerge from the season of indulgence and look ahead to the new year, we all know what’s next.
We can see the advertisements to ‘lose those Christmas kilos’ before they even arrive, luring us into gyms, booking sessions with a personal trainer or signing up to the latest fitness app.
And, because we all want to start the new year on a good note, we’re even more likely to sign on the dotted line than usual. But is it worth it?
Buying a home? Budget for all the extras, not just the house
There’s more to buying a home than just the asking price. Now that you’ve got your deposit and secured any available government grants, prepare yourself for the other charges and expenses that come with becoming a homeowner.
Research is vital to help you identify the associated costs. Setting aside a budget for these fees will save you a lot of time, and hassle. It also helps ensure there are as few unexpected nasty surprises as possible.
Ready to travel? Here’s how to see Australia without blowing the travel budget
If you’ve been feeling trapped within your own state, you’re probably more than a little excited at the thought of the country opening up. But you may be worried about blowing your travel budget with unexpected expenses.
Travelling in this Covid recovery period is not without its challenges. The pandemic has brought unpredictability to almost everything we previously took for granted — from border restrictions and other new travel requirements to the inevitable price rises, there’s a lot to catch you unawares.
So how do you plan an affordable getaway in this era? We’ve rounded up some top tips from budget travel experts.
Make the most of Black Friday with a good game plan
Australian consumers are set to spend a record-breaking $5.4 billion in the upcoming four-day shopping bonanza, a big jump on last year’s $3.8 billion.
The mammoth shopping event officially kicks off on November 26 with Black Friday and extends until Cyber Monday. However, many retailers are offering sales right now. Some offer savings of up to 80 percent.
You now have more power over your energy bill
Worried about your energy bill? You now have more power to do something about it.
As of 1 October 2021, the Federal Government requires energy companies to switch you to a better deal within 48 hours of asking for one.
Prior to this change, companies could take up to three months to switch you over — that’s three months of paying more than you should. With Christmas on the horizon, making a switch now might just put some much-needed extra money into your account.
Credit Card or BNPL: Which Offers Better Safety and Protection for Your Money?
These days, cashless is the way to go. But with other services like Buy Now, Pay Later available in Australia, is it still smart to get a credit card? Let’s talk about that hot piece of plastic and what it can really do for you.
Asking the Right Questions: A Comprehensive Guide on Car Insurance
If you have a car, you need car insurance, that part is simple. Deciding on car insurance, that can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to begin. To assist you in feeling confident in your choice for insurance for the years to come, we've shared the top things you need to know.
How you can choose great tradespeople
When it comes to home improvements and maintenance, a great tradesperson is like a magician with their hands. Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and technicians… give them a task to do and, hey presto, it appears. So, how do you decide who to hire and what factors should you consider? We have a few of our handy tips on navigating the course to engage the right tradespeople.
10 tricky wedding planning dilemmas solved
COVID-19 has wrecked havoc with wedding plans. Which has meant extra planning and replanning. As a bride, you'll spend 36 whole days planning your wedding. You'll cross your fingers and hope that your wedding runs exactly to schedule. But despite your best efforts, there's bound to be something that goes wrong on the day. A contingency plan has never been more essential than during these COVID times.