Lisa Ogilvie in Hervey Bay, Queensland | Mortgage brokers

Lisa Ogilvie

Locality: Hervey Bay, Queensland

Phone: +61 406 761 022

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25.01.2022 You're a parent whose grown up kids want to buy their first home. And because you want the best for them, you probably also want to ensure that they get the correct advice before they sign anything. A truer word has never been spoken. ...and I think the best start for first home buyers is to talk through their options with someone who has done it before as well as someone who is directly involved with the process every day.... If you are a parent whose children have grown up, you've probably bought a home before. I'm helping people buy their home every day, it's my job. This means, together, we are well qualified to point your young adults in the right direction when it comes to buying their first home. So, why don't we catch up with your kids and discuss their options together. Between us, we should be able to provide helpful advice and motivation along the way. I provide home loans for just about everyone and every situation so why not try me out? It doesn't usually take long and the privacy act ensures our conversation is entirely confidential. A cuppa and a chat. It could be as simple as that.

25.01.2022 Renovate or Evacuate? The pros and cons of renovating your home to sell. So, you've decided it's time to sell your property. Perhaps your family has grown and everyone needs some space. Or maybe the kids have left the nest and you're ready for less maintenance and more travel. You want to get the maximum price for your property with minimum fuss. But how much work should you do to prepare your home for sale?... If you like to watch a lot of DIY shows, you might have always dreamed of doing your own renovation rescue, and raking in the profits. But how much is too much to spend? Does it really mean a better selling price if you invest your life savings in a new kitchen? Before you run down to the hardware store, let's look at the pros and cons... Pro - Your property will appeal to people who don't want to renovate - such as families and professional couples. Con - Your property will not appeal to buyers looking for a project of their own, and you could alienate these potential buyers. Pro - You will add value to the property and take advantage of the profits, rather than leaving someone else to reap the rewards. Con - The whole thing could backfire and you could spend loads on renovating without making much on the sale of the property. Pro - Renovating could give you a competitive edge when there are similar properties for sale in the area. Con - Buyers might not love your purple feature walls as much as you thought they would, and your taste could drive them away. Pro - It might be just plain necessary to do some work before you can sell your property, depending on the condition. Con - Renovating can be a real pain in the proverbial - are you ready for mess, stress and lots of aching muscles? So how do you decide? There's no simple answer here, I'm sorry to disappoint you! If the pros and cons have your head spinning, try speaking with a few real estate agents. They should be able to give you an idea of what work should be done to achieve the price you want.

25.01.2022 Do you wish that your superannuation was growing as quickly as the value of your home? Did you know that you might be able to use your superannuation to invest in real estate? Many Australians have started very lucrative property portfolios with a single purchase using their superannuation. But how does it work?... Here is how to invest in property via a Self Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) Step 1 - Set it up The first step is to set up your Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF), which will take some time and you will need to consult your Accountant or Financial Planner to get their input. This option doesn't suit everyone so it's vital to make sure that investing in property through SMSF is the best fit for your personal situation. Step 2 - Roll over your existing super If you need to roll your super over into a SMSF, this could take a month or so. Don't go looking for an investment property to buy until you have your SMSF set up with the funds rolled over. Step 3 - Look into Trusts Ask your Accountant or Financial Planner about setting up a trust before you take out a loan for the investment property. The idea is to set things up so that the loan is only secured against the investment property, rather than throwing your family home into the mix. This way, if something unexpected happens and you can't repay your investment loan, you won't lose your own home too. Step 4 - Know your limits Usually when you borrow through a SMSF, the maximum loan amount is 80% of the purchase price, and remember that there will also be purchase costs involved, just like any other property transaction. Step 5 - Go shopping Now for the fun part - looking for a property to purchase. Usually you can choose any sort of residential property to invest in, but make sure you spend plenty of time researching your options, considering the growth that you want to achieve and the sort of tenant you want to attract. Make sure you shop with your ideal tenant in mind. (Don't look for single bedroom apartments near a university if you only want to rent to a retired couple - you might be barking up the wrong tree!) Step 6 - Remember the rules There are a couple of rules about investing in residential property through your SMSF. Generally speaking, you and your family members cannot live in the property. So if you thought it would be a good idea to purchase an investment as a home for your daughter, you might need to investigate other options. Secondly, you can maintain the property but you cannot improve it. There could be a few grey areas here (is painting consider improving or maintaining?) but obviously you won't be able to add a second level to the home, or replace the kitchen.

23.01.2022 Make your house a home. Contact me for a low cost home improvement loan.

23.01.2022 How to avoid getting stuck in the borrower's 'land of confusion': Comparing the true cost of a loan can be a lot more complicated than it seems. Comparison Rates are one way of comparing loans, but it doesn't always provide a complete picture of the total cost of the loan.... Make a mistake and you could pay thousands more in interest than you should. To avoid this, have a look at this short guide - "Land of Confusion". https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au///landofconfusion.pdf

21.01.2022 If you are a property investor - here is how to increase your rental returns. You've taken the plunge into the investment property pool and now have to find tenants. Although most rental markets throughout Australia remain tight, there's still a need to put your property's best foot forward to attract optimum returns. Here are some of the ways you can add value and ask for more rent for your investment....Continue reading

18.01.2022 Here are some Super Savings: In March this year Australian workers had more than $1.8 trillion stored away in superannuation funds, in part thanks to a system that generally requires employers to pay a contribution on employees behalf. From July 1, this required employer contribution jumped .25% to 9.5%.* For many wage and salary earners who benefit from these compulsory super contributions, super is often something they think about once a year when their statement arrives i...Continue reading

18.01.2022 Discover how to turn your home equity into a better retirement for you. If you have equity stored away in your home, now could be the perfect time to tap into it for an investment property. Equity is simply the difference between the value of your home and what you owe on it. If you have a property valued at $500,000 and owe $200,000 on it, you have $300,000 equity available....Continue reading

18.01.2022 Home burglaries are a fact of life. Every year more than 20,000 homes in Australia are broken into - the majority during the day time when people are at work. That's the bad news. The good news is that there are plenty of simple, low-cost steps you can take to greatly reduce your chance of getting burgled. Remember, it's all about making your home a harder target to break into than other people's. Most burglars enter via a garage door, back door, kitchen or bedroom window. Bu...Continue reading

17.01.2022 Avoid these Common Mortgage Mistakes: For many homeowners, it's easy to get caught up in all of the excitement, and stumble into one or more of these embarrassing mortgage mistakes. Unfortunately I see it very often. Getting a Standard Variable Rate loan:...Continue reading

16.01.2022 Six Steps to becoming mortgage-free - Step 4: Offsets and Redraws Would you like to cut your mortgage by years and pay less? What if you could get your mortgage all wrapped up in record time, and spend more time doing the things you love?... Well, there are six steps you can take now, which will make a real difference to the time it takes to pay off your loan. You could be mortgage-free sooner than you think. In the past weeks, we looked at Step 1: choosing the best loan, Step 2: changing your repayment frequency, and Step 3: Pay more to pay early. Today, find out how offset accounts and redraw facilities can help you move quickly towards losing that mortgage forever. Step 4: Offsets and Redraws Do you have a savings account that you use to put money away for a rainy day? You might be surprised to learn that this can save you money on your home loan - even if you keep the money in savings. This is commonly referred to as an offset account. Many lenders offer a 100% offset account which, when linked with your mortgage, can dramatically reduce the interest that you pay on your loan. The reason for this, is that the savings 'offset' what you owe, and you're only charged interest on your loan amount - minus your savings. This can have a significant impact on your loan in the long term. For example, if you have a loan of $400k, and keep $30k in an offset account, you could save over $150k in interest over the life of your loan. Another handy mortgage feature to look out for is a redraw facility. This allows you to make extra repayments on your loan whenever you want, but gives you the flexibility of taking that additional money back in the future if your plans change. By taking advantage of offset accounts and redraw facilities, you can take control of your financial goals today, and pay your loan off sooner. Want to escape your mortgage as soon as possible? Stay tuned for Step 5: Don't take candy from strangers.

14.01.2022 If you're like me, you've read the occasional newspaper over the past 12 months, and you probably couldn't help noticing that home loans and real estate have been the subject of some serious changes. So if you think about it, it's possible that your home loan could benefit from a slight update as well. Nothing too serious, but it's probably worth having a look. You see, you may have a home loan with a lender who has a new or better product. Now they are unlikely to call you a...nd let you know about this, aren't they? Or you may have a fixed rate loan that you can now justify converting back to a variable rate. So if you're not exactly sure where you stand with your current home loan, why not give me a call and I'll check it out for you. You can jump on my website and test our debt consolidation calculator to see how much you could save each month just by refinancing or consolidating some of your debt. It doesn't cost anything to find out if everything is still OK and it usually only takes a few minutes. The least I can do is point you in the right direction, and the privacy act ensures our conversation is entirely confidential. What do you think?

11.01.2022 Are a few unfamiliar words stopping you from building wealth? Are you thinking about dipping your foot in with property investment, but don't really know where to start? There is a lot of information out there, but many first-time investors become overwhelmed by all the technical stuff. Don't panic though - here is a list of some of the most common phrases to do with property investment - and they have been de-mystified for you....Continue reading

11.01.2022 Mortgage traps ahead! - Don't fall in. Do you love a bargain? It can feel like such a victory when you find that special deal on a new TV, or when you save a bundle by doing your Christmas shopping during a toy sale. Unfortunately, this sort of approach to looking for a mortgage can easily land you in hot water. Whilst it always pays to look around for a good deal on a home loan - there's also an old saying: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is".... There are a few fatal traps when it comes to choosing the right loan for you. Unfortunately the excitement of buying your first home can be all too distracting, and it's easy to put your foot in it by failing to research your loan options. Irresistible Offers The majority of lenders are very responsible and cautious, and only give out loans to people likely to make their repayments. These lenders will offer the best deals their desired customer - usually someone who earns a good income, has a clean credit history report, and has a decent deposit to contribute. If you know that your circumstances don't make you particularly appealing to a lender, but you're being offered a crazy deal - there might be something amiss. Take some time to read the fine print and make sure that the loan contract doesn't contain any nasty surprises. Remember - there's no such thing as a free lunch! Fixed rates You might be tempted to lock in a low interest rate for a couple of years so that you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your repayments. The danger here, though, is that you might be missing out on features that you need, or being charged additional fees. Make sure that you research all aspects of the loan, rather than just focussing on the interest rate. Fees and Charges Loan contracts can be very detailed - packed full of confusing words and legal disclaimers. But one section that you should study with a magnifying glass is the schedule of fees and charges. Do you know whether you can make changes to your repayments? How much will it cost if you default on a repayment? What is the fee associated with ordering a statement ahead of time? And importantly - what establishment fees will you have to pay at settlement? If you don't know this amount, you might not be able to proceed with your purchase and you could lose your deposit. Flexibility and Features It's important to consider what features you need in a loan - do you want to be able to make extra repayments when times are good? Would you like to be able to take that money back again if something doesn't go according to plan? What about if you want to change your repayment frequency? The features of your loan are just as important as the interest rate - and not paying attention could mean that you end up paying a lot more in the long term.

11.01.2022 Spring has sprung and home buyers are emerging from hibernation. Thats the theory, but the reality is home buyers are on the hunt all year round for the right property at the right price. The economic cycle and how you present your property will have a far greater impact than the weather on how soon it sells and how much it fetches. ...Continue reading

09.01.2022 How to make sure your next home isn't a money pit. The typical home purchaser spends around 90 hours over 6 months browsing the internet, researching websites, visiting real estate agencies and inspecting no less than a dozen properties. However we only spend a little more than one hour inspecting the home we eventually purchase.... Not surprisingly, 55% of us discover 'hidden problems' after the settlement. Please read this article on how to avoid problems before finalising the purchase of your next home - Biggest Investment. https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au//biggestinvestment.pdf

09.01.2022 If you are a property investor - here is how to increase your rental returns. You've taken the plunge into the investment property pool and now have to find tenants. Although most rental markets throughout Australia remain tight, there's still a need to put your property's best foot forward to attract optimum returns. Here are some of the ways you can add value and ask for more rent for your investment....Continue reading

09.01.2022 Because selling your home in record time takes some elbow grease. How far should you go when presenting your home for sale? Do you really have to get rid of all your family photos? Who has the time to bake a fresh batch of cookies in time for every open house? There are some things that make a huge difference to potential buyers, and some that will just give you a headache for no reason.... If you're a bit unsure what you should do to make your property appealing to buyers, don't worry - just follow these 5 simple steps. Step 1: De-clutter It's time to cut down on some of those kids toys, and it might be a good idea to find a temporary home for your newspaper collection. Buyers are looking for space and comfort, and nothing says 'this house is too small' quite like an overflowing bookshelf. Try packing away some of the items that you don't use very often. If you don't listen to your CD's very often, load them onto your ipod and pack them into boxes. It's amazing how much nicer a home can seem when it's tidy and clutter-free. Step 2: Fix any small issues Do you need to replace any light bulbs? Are the doorhandles showing a lot of wear and tear? Perhaps your screen door is torn because the dog was trying to get outside. This is the time to fix all of those little things you never got around to. This will show potential buyers that you have maintained the home, and they won't be worried about nasty surprises. Step 3: Consider staging Do you still have the couch that your Auntie passed down when you were leaving home? Whilst it shouldn't matter what your furniture looks like - the truth is that it can make a difference. If your belongings are a little bit rough around the edges, consider hiring or borrowing some nicer items for a few weeks whilst your home is open for inspection. Step 4: Clean, Clean, and clean some more It's not always easy to keep your home spotless - especially if you have small children. But nothing will scare away potential buyers faster than dirty underwear on the bedroom floor, or last night's Bolognese splattered all around the kitchen. If you don't have the time to clean thoroughly before every open house, consider hiring a cleaner for this short period of time. By putting in the extra effort, you could be rewarded with a quick sale, or a better price. Step 5: Neat and tidy On the day of each open house, spend a few minutes making the beds (hotel-style if you can) and putting away any items that don't need to be lying around. Run a cloth over the benches one last time, turn on the dishwasher, and consider taking your dirty washing with you if you don't have time to get it washed and put away. If you receive an offer on the house today, you'll be glad you went the extra mile. If not, you can come home and relax knowing that the housework is already done!

08.01.2022 Buying or selling - or even just thinking about it? We may not have met in person yet, but I thought you would appreciate knowing that I'm always quoting and arranging home loans for people across our suburb. If you are even remotely thinking about buying or selling, or you are just not sure what your home is worth and how much you can borrow, why not ask me to help you work it out? That way you will know exactly what you can do...and it doesn't cost anything either!... I have access to home loans for just about everyone and every situation so please try me out. It usually only takes a few minutes and the privacy act ensures our conversation is entirely confidential. A cuppa and a chat It could be as simple as that.

08.01.2022 Summer is almost here so it's the perfect time to give your finances a spring clean. Whether you're looking to consolidate credit card debt, renovate your home or purchase your new car, our team can help give your finances a spring clean. Our partners offer a fast, simple, online application process and access to funds typically within 48 hours. Dont delay, get in touch today!

05.01.2022 If you really want to save money - it might be time to refinance. Should you refinance? "My lender is charging me a higher home loan rate than I see advertised elsewhere. Can I change lenders?"... This is exactly the reason why most people change lenders. There may be a penalty clause in your current home loan, meaning you may need to pay a discharge fee, but it could still be in your financial interests to change. When shopping around it is always important to look for the comparison rate of a product. A comparison rate is essentially the true rate, taking into account the fees and charges you will pay on the loan. So even though you see a lower rate it doesn't mean the repayments are less. "I have just come off a 'honeymoon' interest rate to a much higher rate. Can I move lenders or am I locked into my mortgage?" You can walk away from most mortgages, although penalty fees sometimes apply to fixed rate loans. "If I move my mortgage to a new lender, is there anything stopping that lender from increasing their rates in a few months time?" It depends what kind of product you have. If you're concerned about rising rates, perhaps you should consider a fixed rate home loan, where repayments are fixed for a period from 1 to 5 years. "Why do some lenders charge more than others for lending the same amount of money?" Banks and other lenders pay different amounts for the money they on-lend to you, they have different overhead structures and different profit expectations. All these factors affect how much they charge to lend people money. "What documentation do I need to refinance?" The last 3 - 6 months of mortgage statements is sufficient to begin this process. I can advise on other documentation.

05.01.2022 Do you know what your credit record says about you? Have you ever actually seen it? For many borrowers, it can be quite a surprise to learn that a few blotches have appeared over the years on their credit history report. ... Unfortunately, many are blissfully unaware until they apply for a home loan. Once your application has been lodged, it can be tricky to challenge your credit report and prove your worth to the lenders. Don't let this happen to you. Enrol in boot-camp today and get your credit record in shape - and the good news? You won't need to squeeze into the Lycra and start counting calories. 1) Review your credit record The first step is to get your hands on a copy of your credit history report. This can usually be done through your mortgage broker, or by directly contacting a Credit Reporting Body. There are quite a few companies who can provide your credit report to you, but the national bodies are: Veda, D&B, and Experian. 2) Challenge any discrepancies or misunderstandings If you think that there's a discrepancy on your credit history report, you can challenge these. The first step is usually to contact the company who added the incorrect information to your report, and see if they can amend it. Failing this, you can dispute the discrepancy through a Credit Reporting Body. 3) Be honest It pays to be upfront with your lender about anything on your credit report that could impact your ability to borrow. Most lenders are fairly strict, but some will take into account your explanation credit issues, and the steps you took to resolve them. 4) Cut down debt and credit Before you apply for a loan, try to reduce the amount of credit card debt - and also available credit that you have. Some borrowers are surprised to learn that a credit card with no debt owing at all - but with a high limit, can have an impact when being assessed for a loan. Try to reduce your limits wherever possible, or if you don't really use the card then consider cancelling it. 5) Know your finances Come to the first meeting with your lender or broker, prepared to explain your budget, expenses, income and your capacity to repay the loan. It's also important that you can demonstrate savings, as most lenders will require at least 5% of the purchase price in order to approve a loan. When it comes to the deposit, the more you can pay upfront, the greater your chances of being approved for a loan. If you can put down 20%, you will remove the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) which could represent significant savings for you.

05.01.2022 Cure your confusion today - 9 steps to purchasing your first home. Do you start to get a headache when you think about everything involved in getting a home loan? Don't despair. Many other borrowers have felt the same way in the past. ...Continue reading

05.01.2022 Is your old equipment slowing you down? Old tech? Outdated machinery? Vehicle breakdowns? Will the purchase of new assets or equipment speed you up, help you become more efficient and help you get ahead? Asset finance is often the answer. ... Financing new equipment, instead of purchasing it outright, can be a good way to preserve cash flow and working capital while adding an asset that can begin to generate immediate income. And, of course, there may be potential tax advantages that could also come your way.

02.01.2022 BUYER BEWARE THE BARGAINS Limited cash flow and equity mean many first-time property investors feel the need to chase down a bargain to enter the market. But, like most things in life, you usually get what you pay for, which in the case of property can mean unrealised returns or even losses. While theres nothing wrong with paying less in the hope of making more, investors need to understand when a cheap property is truly a bargain and when they could be selling (or rath...Continue reading

02.01.2022 How to save for your FIrst Home - without moving back to Mum and Dad: Are you trying to save up for your first home? There's so much to think about - not just an enormous deposit, but stamp duties, moving costs, conveyancing fees and loan costs all add up to quite a number. Saving such a large amount can be a tough slog. You try and put a bit away each week but unexpected things tend to pop up, and it can feel like you're not getting anywhere at all. But there are a few thing...s you can do to speed up your savings journey. 1. Cut your costs It's time to sit down with the calculator and work out just how much you spend - on what. It's all too easy these days to 'tap and go' when you make purchases, without really stopping to notice the cost. For example, you might be horrified to learn that you currently spend $900 per year on energy drinks. And that's not including your morning coffee. Wait until you're in the right mood - and then be brutal. It's time to work out where you can trim the fat. 2. Kill the credit cards Credit cards are expensive to keep - and they have a way of blossoming if you don't keep paying them off in full. If you have a credit card debt, get rid of it. Sell your old textbooks, get a Saturday job, do whatever it takes because this one isn't doing you any favours. Not only will a credit card accrue interest, your savings goals will be undermined if you have to keep making repayments on credit cards all the time. 3. Make a budget Write down what you earn. Then list all of your 'non-negotiable' expenses - like rent, groceries, bills, train fares etc. Deduct the non-negotiable expenses, and what you have left is your disposable income. Rather than disposing of it - try to save as much as possible. Make a plan for how much you can afford save each month. It might be a bit of a stretch some months if you receive a big bill - so try keeping a separate account where you save a small amount every week. That way, if you receive your car registration you can pay it without compromising on your savings that month. 4. Leave some room to breathe We all need a break occasionally, and it's important that your budget does include some room to breathe. You might need to buy new shoes for work, or a present for your sister's birthday. Don't make it so tight that you can't even go to the movies. Leave a bit of slack for those times when you really need to live a little. That way, you're more likely to reach your savings goal.

01.01.2022 Should you buy or build your next home? Many buyers struggling to find the right home are going back to the drawing board and building rather than buying an existing home. There are obvious benefits to a brand new home: you can build exactly what you want and enjoy shiny new surrounds, with no wear and tear costs for years to come. But there can be downsides to creating your castle....Continue reading

01.01.2022 Protect your investment - find a great property manager: If you are a property investor you probably know about Landlord's Insurance, but there's another way to protect your investment, and make sure that you continue to get a good rental return. The trick is to find a great property manager. There a few characteristics that will help you to tell the difference between a fabulous property manager who will care for your investment, and a nightmare property manager who will co...st you a fortune. Professional and Committed A really good property manager is not the disgruntled young buck who was recently rejected as a junior sales agent, and now has to see his days out processing rental applications. The best property managers are people who wouldn't have it any other way. They have made a career out of managing property and they have a network of satisfied clients. Good processes in place for screening tenants A good property manager has excellent processes in place for making sure that potential tenants are carefully screened. They keep detailed records and they check references. Conducts regular inspections A good property manager can tell you how often they will be inspecting your property. They will personally inspect the property at the agreed time and report back to you with any issues. They don't send the receptionist. Has a maintenance team ready to handle any issues A good property manager has a team of workers on call in the event that there are emergency repairs or maintenance needed at your property. They believe that it's vital to stay on top of any small issues before they become bigger ones. Answers your phone calls A good property manager is approachable and it shouldn't take a week for you to get them on the phone. They care about maintaining a relationship with you because they want to keep your business. Treats tenants with respect A good property manager treats tenants with fairness and respect, and understands that happy tenants are more likely to keep the property in good repair, and pay the rent on time. They also know when to do something if a tenant is not keeping up their end of the bargain. Cares about your property Most of all, a good property manager cares about you and your property and they will ensure that your investment is protected. By maintaining good rapport with all parties, they will help you to retain good tenants to keep your rental return coming in.