You Have My Interest - Getting Personal With Property Finance

The Federal Government has announced that the expanded 5% deposit Home Guarantee Scheme will now start on 1 October 2025 - three months earlier than planned. This means no income caps, no limit on places, and higher property price caps across the country. But what does this mean for you as a buyer? And could this actually fuel house price growth just as the spring property market ramps up? In this...

In this Deep Dive episode of You Have My Interest, we unpack the big changes coming to the First Home Buyer Government Guarantee Scheme from 1 January 2026. These updates include the removal of income caps and significant increases to property price caps across Australia, meaning more buyers will be eligible to purchase with just a 5% deposit, avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), and access com...

This week on You Have My Interest , we're diving into one of the biggest questions for homeowners looking to upsize - should you buy first or sell first? It’s a tricky decision with a lot of moving parts.  We’ll walk through the pros and cons of each option, explain how bridging finance can come into play, and share tips on negotiating longer settlements or flexible clauses to help align timelines...

In this episode of You Have My Interest , we’re taking a closer look at the difference between borrowing capacity and purchase capacity - two terms that are often used interchangeably but can lead to very different outcomes when planning to buy a property. This topic was prompted by a recent client scenario, where a buyer was exploring the option of using a lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) waiver...

This week’s episode of You Have My Interest is a little different. Evelyn takes you behind the scenes of her recent trip to Africa, where she visited two life-changing projects supported by Everlend’s fundraising efforts from International Women’s Day, in partnership with Just Peoples. She shares powerful stories of the women she met, and how financial education and skills training through program...

In this week's episode of You Have My Interest, we delve into a recent finance file where we assisted a family unit – parents and their daughter – in purchasing a new home off the plan. In this unique scenario, the daughter (a lawyer with her own investment property) teamed up with her parents (both working, with existing properties and business liabilities) to buy together. We unpack how a le...

In this week’s episode of You Have My Interest , we run through a real-life finance file where we helped a couple, originally from South Africa and now permanent residents in Australia, secure their first home while relocating interstate. With only one applicant’s income able to be used for servicing, since the other applicant’s job couldn’t continue in the new state, we explored how this impacted...

This week on You Have My Interest , we break down a real first home buyer scenario to show how government initiatives can help make homeownership possible.  We share the journey of a 32-year-old nurse unit manager in Victoria who purchased her first property using the First Home Buyer Government Guarantee Scheme, avoiding lenders’ mortgage insurance, and explored eligibility for both this and the...

In this episode of You Have My Interest, we take a deep dive into the new regulations affecting Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services in Australia and what they mean for everyday consumers. From 10 June, providers like Afterpay and Zip must operate as regulated credit products. This means holding an Australian credit licence, performing checks on new applicants, and reporting repayments and missed pay...

In this week's episode of You Have My Interest, Evelyn unpacks the recent RBA cash rate cut and what it means for mortgage repayments, borrowing power, and future interest rate expectations. She also explores the housing policy changes following Labor’s election win, including the 20% reduction in HECS debt, which could help boost borrowing capacity for first home buyers. Evelyn breaks down ho...

In this week’s episode, we bring you Part Two of our interview with Terry from Cashflow & Co. This part of the conversation explores how understanding and engaging with money can positively influence your decision-making and reduce financial stress. Terry and I dive into the core of his mentorship program – including the four key components he uses with every client. We talk about the importan...

This week on You Have My Interest, we’re joined by Terry from Cashflow Co for part-one of a two-part episode diving deep into the psychology of money, attachment styles, and why traditional budgeting might be keeping you stuck. Terry shares powerful insights into why so many of us feel overwhelmed or avoidant when it comes to money and how those patterns often stem from the way we emotionally rela...

In this episode of You Have My Interest, we’re diving into a real-life case study of first home buyers navigating a complex lending scenario. We supported a couple with foreign income, a recent job change, and a goal of purchasing up to $1.1 million. Over a three-year period, we worked closely with them to build their deposit, improve their borrowing capacity, and ultimately secure their dream hom...

In this week’s episode of You Have My Interest, we’re diving into all things deposits – a term that’s often misunderstood in the property world. Evelyn unpacks the key differences between your deposit (the upfront payment when signing a contract) and your overall contribution (your full financial input into the purchase). She also clears up some common confusion caused by marketing lingo and lende...

In this episode of You Have My Interest, we’re diving into Loan to Value Ratios (LVR) - a key factor in lending decisions. I’ll break down what LVR is, how to calculate it, and why it matters when applying for a mortgage or refinancing. We’ll explore how banks assess risk, how LVR impacts interest rates and lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), and strategies to avoid extra costs. Whether you’re a fir...

In this episode, we’re diving into a requested topic of the latest Australian debt statistics, unpacking the average debt levels across different generations and debt types. From the rising prevalence of credit cards and Buy Now Pay Later facilities, especially among Gen Z and Millennials, to the growing impact these debts have on credit scores and home loan applications, this episode sheds light...

In this week's episode, we dive into the complexities of trust lending and how it can be a game-changer for property investors. We also break down what trust lending is, highlight some critical criteria to consider, and deep dive into a customer scenario where a married couple with two kids leveraged this strategy to purchase an investment property. We explore the careful planning that went in...

In this week's episode of You Have My Interest, we're kicking off a brand-new Deep Dive Segment! Each month, we’ll tackle a real-life client scenario, giving you an inside look at what we cover during a discovery call with our clients. This week, we’re diving into the complexities of home buying and financing for First Home Buyers. We break down everything from calculating borrowing capaci...

In this episode, Jess Hyland dives into the world of property investment, sharing her own journey and the smart, strategic approach she takes with her clients. She breaks down why borrowing to your max isn’t always the best move, how to plan for life’s big changes (like starting a family), and why a solid investment should feel secure - not stressful. With a wealth of experience and a passion for...

We’re starting the year with an inspiring Finance File where we helped a long-term client navigate the tricky process of buying and selling property. Discover how we supported a family of five to upgrade their home without relying on bridging finance, secure a competitive fixed-rate loan, and tackle the complexities of selling before buying. With tips on handling maternity leave income, calculatin...

In this week's Boxing Day Q&A episode, we dive into listener questions about cashback offers, the key differences between redraw and offset accounts, and how to make the most of your home loan setup. Whether you're considering refinancing for a cashback or wondering how offsets can save you thousands in interest, we’ve got you covered. Plus, we explore strategies for homeowners and investors t...

In this week’s episode of You Have My Interest, we explore the behind-the-scenes strategy of refinancing and cashing out equity to fund an investment property purchase. We share how our clients used valuation differences to their advantage, unlocking more cash from desktop valuations compared to full inspections. We also discuss why a higher valuation with CBA outweighed better interest rates else...

In this episode, we sit down with Aife Raveche, founder and director of Raveche Property, to unpack actionable strategies for making money in property.  Aife’s boutique agency specialises in buyer advocacy, vendor advocacy, and property management across Victoria, and she brings a wealth of experience to help clients navigate the market with confidence. Aife dives into the importance of building s...

In this episode of You Have My Interest, we dive into key market updates, including the impact of RBA rates, the Home Value Index, and Victoria's new temporary stamp duty concession for off-the-plan purchases.  We break down how the new concession, effective from October 21st, 2024, differs from previous ones and who’s eligible—whether you’re a first-time buyer or an investor and what this means f...

In this episode of You Have My Interest, we follow a client’s journey and the steps taken to successfully purchase their first home through a related party transaction. We dive into the key considerations, including securing independent valuations, understanding lender rules for related party purchases, and navigating state stamp duty regulations. We also explore how the First Home Super Saver Sch...