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When Will Interest Rates on Mortgages Go Down?
In the current economic climate, Australian homeowners and prospective homebuyers are eagerly anticipating potential declines in mortgage interest rates. Understanding when these rates might decrease hinges on various economic indicators and predictions from financial...
Switching Home Loans: A Guide to Refinancing Your Mortgage
Refinancing your mortgage involves transitioning from your current home loan to a new loan arrangement, potentially with another bank or lender. This process, often undertaken to secure a lower interest rate, access better loan...
What Are Low Doc Home Loans?
Low Doc Home Loans in Australia provide a vital financing option for self-employed individuals, small business owners, and others who can't supply traditional income proof required for standard home loans. These loans simplify the application process by requiring less...
A Guide to Maximising Home Equity to Buy Your Next Property
Leveraging Home Equity to Buy: A Guide to Growing Your Property Portfolio Home equity represents a powerful financial resource for homeowners, offering a pathway to expand property portfolios or invest in real estate. In Australia, leveraging the equity in your...
How Long Will It Take to Pay Off Your Home Loan in Australia?
Paying off a home loan is a significant financial commitment that requires careful planning and understanding of the terms and conditions set by Australian law. The time it takes to fully repay your mortgage depends on several factors including the loan term, interest...
How Do Home Loans Work in Australia?
In Australia, home loans enable individuals to finance homes or investment properties, with repayment of the borrowed amount plus interest. Understanding home loan basics—application processes, loan types, repayment strategies, and interest rate impacts—is crucial for...
A Guide on How to Apply for a Home Loan
Navigating the journey to buy a home in Australia involves understanding the nuances of the home loan process. This guide aims to demystify the steps involved in applying for a home loan, ensuring you are well-equipped with the knowledge to secure the financing you...
What is a Home Loan Comparison Rate?
A Home Loan Comparison Rate is a tool designed to help Australian borrowers identify the true cost of a loan. It incorporates both the loan's interest rate and any associated fees and charges into a single percentage figure. This allows borrowers to compare different...
What is Home Loan to Value Ratio (LVR)?
The Home Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) quantifies the portion of a property's value being borrowed, expressed as a percentage. It's a key factor lenders use to assess loan risk, influencing loan approval and terms. Understanding your LVR is crucial, as it determines...
What License Must a Mortgage Broker Hold in Australia
Navigating the intricacies of home loans and property buying can be daunting. Mortgage brokers, like Zanda Wealth Mortgage Brokers, step in to demystify the process, connecting borrowers with suitable lenders. But how can you be sure that the broker you're engaging...
What Is an Interest Only Home Loan?
An interest-only home loan is a unique mortgage option offering flexibility in repayments for a specified period. Unlike traditional home loans, where each repayment covers both principal and interest, this option lets you pay just the interest for a set duration....
What is a Fixed Rate Home Loan?
A fixed rate home loan is a type of mortgage where the interest rate remains unchanged for a specified period, offering borrowers consistency in their home loan repayments regardless of market rate fluctuations. Introduction to Fixed Rate Home Loans In the diverse...
What is a Variable Rate Home Loan
Home loans are a gateway for many to achieve the dream of homeownership. Among the variety of home loan options available, the variable rate home loan stands out as one of the most popular. But what exactly is a variable rate home loan? Let's delve deeper. Defining...
Can I Shop Around for Mortgage Brokers?
When diving into the world of mortgages, one key question often emerges Can I shop around for mortgage brokers? The short answer is a resounding yes. In fact, just like you would with any significant service or purchase, shopping around for the right mortgage broker...
Do Mortgage Brokers Have Access to All Banks?
Mortgage brokers have made a significant mark in the housing finance industry by offering borrowers a broader spectrum of loan options than they might find on their own. But a common question many prospective homebuyers ask is Do mortgage brokers like Zanda Wealth...
Why Use a Mortgage Broker and Not a Bank?
When you're in the market for a new home or looking to refinance your existing one, you're faced with a pivotal decision: Should you work directly with a bank or enlist the services of a mortgage broker? While banks have been the traditional go-to for many homeowners,...
Can You Remortgage Without a Broker?
Remortgaging is a pivotal financial decision for homeowners, often driven by the pursuit of better interest rates, the desire to release equity or the need for a loan that suits evolving financial circumstances. With the complexities surrounding the remortgage...
When Should I Speak to a Mortgage Broker?
The decision to buy a home is monumental. It's a thrilling journey that culminates in a place you can truly call your own. But like any grand adventure, timing is everything. One common question many prospective homeowners ponder is, "When should I speak to a mortgage...
Why Do People Need a Mortgage Broker?
In the vast landscape of property ownership, there stands a question that many prospective homeowners grapple with: Why do people need a mortgage broker? It’s a valid query, especially in an age when digital platforms seem to offer direct access to myriad loan...
Is It Worth Using a Mortgage Broker?
Entering the world of home loans can feel like diving into a vast ocean without a guide. With numerous loan products, varying interest rates, and a plethora of lending institutions, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Here's where the big question arises: Is it worth using...
What To Ask a Mortgage Broker?
Mortgages, with their myriad terms, rates, and options, can sometimes feel like an intricate puzzle. A mortgage broker, like Zanda Wealth Mortgage Brokers, can be an invaluable guide, helping you piece together the best picture for your financial future. However, to...
How To Choose a Mortgage Broker?
When embarking on the path to homeownership, many find themselves at a crossroads: navigating the complex world of mortgages independently or seeking guidance from a mortgage broker, such as Zanda Wealth Mortgage Brokers. If you're leaning towards the latter,...
How To Find a Mortgage Broker?
Navigating the labyrinth of home loans can be daunting. With a plethora of options and complex jargon, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. This is where a mortgage broker, like Zanda Wealth Mortgage Brokers, comes into play. Just as you'd hire an expert to guide you...
What Commission Does a Mortgage Broker Make?
Navigating the world of home loans can often feel complex, and with the rise of mortgage brokers like Zanda Wealth Mortgage Brokers assisting potential homeowners, many find themselves wondering how these brokers are compensated for their services. This article delves...
How Does a Mortgage Broker Get Paid?
Navigating the world of home loans can be intricate, and that's where mortgage brokers like Zanda Wealth Mortgage Brokers come into play. These professionals bridge the gap between lenders and borrowers, but their compensation can be a subject of intrigue. In this...
Why Use a Mortgage Broker?
Acquiring a home loan is a substantial commitment that demands careful consideration. A mortgage broker, such as Zanda Wealth Mortgage Brokers, emerges as a trusted ally, simplifying this journey. This exploration delves deeper into the reasons why tapping into their...
What Does a Mortgage Broker Do?
When it comes to securing a home loan, many people turn to mortgage brokers, like Zanda Wealth Mortgage Brokers, for assistance. But what exactly is their role in the home-buying process? It's imperative for home buyers to understand the responsibilities and benefits...
What is a Mortgage Broker?
Navigating the Australian home loan landscape can be a complex journey. For many Australians, especially first-time home buyers, understanding the intricacies of financing and finding the right home loan option can be overwhelming. This is where the role of a mortgage...
Get the Best Deal: How to Refinance Your Home Loan
When you choose to refinance a home loan, you replace your existing home loan with a new home loan. Refinancing usually aims to save money by taking advantage of lower interest rates. However, there are other reasons to refinance as well. In this article, we will...
How to Buy a House at Auction: A Complete Guide
When buying a house at auction, you must familiarise yourself with the process and secure financing. The process may seem intimidating and complicated but don’t give up too soon. Here are some essential things about how to buy a property at an auction that will help...
Ultimate Guide to Working with a Mortgage Broker in Australia
Buying a home is a significant financial milestone that comes with a host of responsibilities. With a wide range of mortgage options available in Australia, it can take time to decide which loan is right for you. This is where a mortgage broker can be a valuable...
Get the Best Deal: How to Refinance Your Home Loan
When you refinance a home loan, you replace your existing mortgage with a new one. Refinancing usually aims to save money by taking advantage of lower interest rates. However, there are other reasons to refinance as well. In this article, we will discuss the benefits...
Ultimate Guide to Working with a Mortgage Broker in Australia
Buying a home is a significant financial milestone that comes with a host of responsibilities. With a wide range of mortgage options available in Australia, it can take time to decide which loan is right for you. This is where a mortgage broker can be a valuable...
Buying Investment Property in Australia | 2023 Guide
Property investment in Australia is a popular choice for many people. Investing in property can be a great way to earn money, but it also comes with its own set of risks. Before you decide to invest in property, there are a few things you need to know. Pros of Buying...
Understanding Construction Loans in Australia
Construction loans, sometimes referred to as construction home loans, offer an exciting opportunity for Australians eager to build a home. These loans differ from your standard home loan, as they're primarily geared towards funding a new construction process, which...
How to Buy a House at an Auction: A Complete Guide
When buying a house at auction, you must familiarise yourself with the process and secure financing. The process may seem intimidating and complicated, but don’t give up too soon. Here are some essential things about how to buy a house at an auction that will help you...
Fixed Vs Variable Home Loans: Which One Should You Choose?
Interest rates have always been a hot topic for homeowners and homebuyers. The Reserve Bank of Australia recently increased its official cash rate, causing a ripple in the home loan interest rate spectrum and leading many to re-evaluate their home loan rate. When...
Retirement Plan: What You Need to Know About Planning for Retirement in Australia
Sometimes you can’t help but wonder about the day when you no longer have to wake up early to go to work and have the ultimate freedom to do whatever you want with your time in retirement. Reaching retirement is a pivotal moment in any Australian's life. But before...
Bridging Loans Explained: Everything You Need to Know
After months of back and forth in searching for your perfect home, you finally found it. However, you don’t have enough funds at the moment to cover the costs, and your current house is still up for sale; there’s a dilemma happening here, and you’re in a time crunch...
All About Property Investment Tax Benefits in South Australia
While you’re presented with various options that can accelerate the growth of your wealth, many individuals consider putting their money into properties since it’s a stable choice compared to other investments. When it comes to investing in a property located in South...
First Home Owners Grant SA: The Complete Guide
Are you looking forward to purchasing your dream home but having difficulty doing so because it’s your first time? Luckily, there is a grant given by the government for first-time homebuyers so you, too, can get your hands on your very first residential property. The...
Need help paying your insurance and workers comp premiums this year?
As if Australian business owners hadn’t faced enough challenges this past year – now the dreaded annual insurance and workers compensation premiums will soon arrive in mailboxes. Here’s how to smooth ‘em all out (and get an early bird discount!).
Green Thumbs Beware: Lead Contamination of Veggie Gardens
One of the most exciting things about moving into your own home is doing whatever you want with it, such as growing your own veggie patch. But did you know more than a third of Aussie backyards are contaminated with lead? Here’s how to get your soil tested for free.
The Cost of Your Mortgage When Interest Rates Rise
After 18 straight RBA cash rate cuts it can be easy to dismiss the notion that interest rates might rise again. But if the cash rate returned to mid-2019 levels, how much extra would an average new mortgage holder expect to pay each month? Let’s take a look.
It’s On! First Home Loan Deposit Schemes Open for Applications
If you’d like to buy your first home with just a 5% deposit and pay no lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), then you better act quick, as thousands of first home buyers are expected to rush to apply for the limited spots up for grabs.
EOFY Alert! Financial Year End Just Days Away
Small business owners wanting to buy a vehicle, asset or important piece of equipment and immediately write off the cost only have a few days to act this financial year.
First Home Load Deposit Scheme Increased Property Price Caps
First home buyers can now purchase more expensive properties under the federal government’s hugely popular 5% deposit, no LMI scheme.
How to Get More Bang for Your Buck on Property Sizes
An increasing number of Australians are prioritising larger homes and bigger blocks in their house-hunting endeavours since the pandemic began. But where to look? Well, a new search tool helps you calculate which suburbs offer the best bang for your buck.
Aussie Businesses Load Up On Light Commercial Vehicles
Australian businesses have shifted things up a gear this year, with new asset finance figures revealing a 187% rise in light commercial vehicle purchases since January.
33 Suburb Areas Where Buyers Win Over Sellers
Most of Australia may be a seller’s market right now, but there are still a few dozen suburbs around the country where there’s more housing stock available than in previous years. Today we’ll check out which 33 suburbs are still offering plenty of options for buyers.
4 in 5 hopeful buyers don’t understand key financial concepts
While most Australians dream of owning their own home, the majority of hopeful homeowners admit they don’t fully understand how home loans or mortgage rates work. That’s why we make it our mission to enlighten you during your home buying journey.
Pedal to the metal: EOFY is officially bearing down on us
Keen to buy a vehicle, asset or another vital piece of equipment for your business and immediately write off the cost? Well, you better get cracking, as we’re officially entering end-of-financial-year territory.
“Tide turning on interest rates”: CBA hikes fixed rates
Australia’s biggest bank has hiked its three-year fixed rate for owner-occupiers in a further sign that “the tide is turning on interest rates”. So if you’ve been thinking about fixing your interest rate, it could be high time to do so.
Want to Switch Home Loans? Here are ASIC’s Top Tips for Refinancing
With interest rates at record low levels, we’ve seen a big increase in homeowners wanting to refinance this year. So this week we’ll look at some of ASIC’s top tips for refinancing, plus some of our own for good measure.
SMEs to get full asset write-off extension and fairer go with ATO
Small businesses in dispute with the ATO over their tax debt will get “a fairer go” under new rules proposed in the federal budget. Meanwhile, one-year extensions have been granted for the full asset write-off and loss carry-back schemes. Let’s break it all down.
Big Budget Boost for Single Parents & First Home Buyers
Single parents saving for a property and first home buyers are the big winners from this year’s federal budget. Today we’ll break down the three schemes that will help them crack the property market sooner.
Which is Cheaper: Buying or Renting? Surprising Truth
While it might feel like property prices are skyrocketing out of reach, the majority of Australian homes are actually cheaper to buy than rent over the next decade, according to a new report.
Has the housing market’s latest record-breaking run peaked?
Property prices climbed at a breathtaking pace in early 2021, which has been good news for homeowners and heartbreaking for house hunters. However, there are seven key signs that the pace of capital gains has peaked, says CoreLogic.
Record Numbers Hit for Equipment’s Business Demand in 2022
Businesses across the country are purchasing new equipment and vehicles in record numbers, as companies big and small embrace the strongest market conditions seen in years, according to NAB data.
Start Building Now! HomeBuilder Implements 12 Month Extension
Tens of thousands of HomeBuilder applicants around the nation can breathe a sigh of relief after the federal government extended the construction commencement requirement from six months to 18 months.
How long do you have to snap up a property in the current market?
You open up the real estate app on your phone, scroll through a few listings, and then there it is: the home of your dreams, ‘added 1 hour ago’. So just how long do you typically have to act in this hot market?
How to Avoid a Bad Credit Rating
The COVID-19 loan deferral program and credit reporting amnesty is now over, which means banks will report any late repayments on mortgage or small business loans to credit agencies unless you’ve entered into a hardship arrangement.
Expert Opinion on Fixed Mortgage Rates Rising in Coming Months
House prices could jump 17% in 2021 and mortgage rates are set to rise much sooner than expected, ANZ Bank has tipped.
How Do You Compare: How Much Of Your Pay Goes To Your Mortgage?
The property market is going through a boom phase, which means housing affordability is getting tougher. So how much does the average Australian household need to put towards their monthly home loan repayments in the current market? Let’s take a look.
Free new mental health support service for small business owners
Floods, fire and pandemic – it’s been an incredibly tough 15 months for many Australian businesses. And with government support about to end, looking after your mental health will be just as important as taking care of your business’s financial health.
7 Proven Ways to Attract Potential Buyers to Your Home
Did you know more than a third of Australian homeowners are considering putting their property up for sale so they can take advantage of the current boom in prices? Here’s how to get your property looking spick and span for prospective buyers.
SME credit demand improves, lenders begin next phase of COVID-19 support
Things are starting to look better for small business owners across the country with just 5% of deferred business loans yet to resume repayments. Meanwhile, there are signs that business credit demand is improving, especially when it comes to asset finance.
Tick Tock, Is Time Running Out for First Home Buyers?
The first home buyer market had a bumper year in 2020 due to modest declines in property prices, reduced investor activity, and a range of government incentives. But with those advantages tailing off, how will first home buyers compete in 2021?

Austin Rulfs
Austin Rulfs is the Director of Zanda Wealth Mortgage Brokers, with over 17+ years of experience in the financial services industry.
He is an alumnus of St Peters College Adelaide and holds a Diploma of Financial Services and Mortgage Broking Management from the Institute of Strategic Management.
Under his leadership, Zanda Wealth Mortgage Brokers has become a renowned mortgage broking firm in Australia, assisting hundreds of clients to invest in property and manage their mortgages effectively.