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70 articles · Written by licensed Adelaide mortgage brokers
Featured article
Brokers
What does a mortgage broker do?
A plain English explanation of what a broker actually does, how they are paid, and why 74% of new home loans are now arranged through one.
Jason Given · April 2026 · 5 min read
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First home
Help to Buy Scheme 2026: The Complete SA Guide
How the federal shared equity scheme works in South Australia. Up to 40% government equity, 2% deposit, no LMI. Eligibility, worked examples, and how it compares to HomeStart.
Jason Given · July 2026 · 9 min read
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First home
Best Adelaide Suburbs for First Home Buyers 2026 (Under $650K)
Where to buy your first home in Adelaide for under $650,000 - covering northern, southern, western, and outer growth suburbs with real price data.
Jason Given · July 2026 · 8 min read
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Market
How AUKUS and Defence Spending Are Reshaping Adelaide's Property Market
The $30B+ submarine program, North-South Corridor, and defence ecosystem are creating structural property demand. Which suburbs benefit most.
Jason Given · July 2026 · 9 min read
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First home
HomeStart Shared Equity: How SA's Unique Home Loan Scheme Works
How HomeStart Finance's Shared Equity Option works, who qualifies, worked examples, and how to combine it with FHOG and stamp duty exemptions.
Jason Given · July 2026 · 8 min read
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Brokers
How to Choose a Mortgage Broker in Adelaide: What to Look For
Credentials, lender panel, local knowledge, Google reviews, fees, and the 10 questions to ask before you commit to a broker.
Jason Given · July 2026 · 8 min read
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Borrowing
Home Loans for Pensioners and Retirees
How lenders assess pension income, age limits on loan terms, and options for older Australians.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Strategy
Buying a Second Home: Should You Sell or Keep Your First?
The finance strategy for upgrading - sell first, keep as investment, or use bridging finance.
Steve Chin · 6 min read
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Buying
Conveyancing and Settlement: What Happens After Your Offer Is Accepted
The legal process of buying property in SA - plain English, typical fees, and timelines.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Home loans
Home Loan vs Personal Loan: Which Should You Use?
When to add costs to your mortgage vs take out a personal loan.
Steve Chin · 5 min read
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Strategy
Debt Consolidation: Using Your Home Loan to Clear Other Debts
How it works, the trade-offs, and when consolidating into your mortgage makes sense.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Home loans
Can You Transfer Your Home Loan to a New Property?
How loan portability works, when it makes sense, and when refinancing is better.
Steve Chin · 5 min read
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Strategy
Home Equity: How to Access and Use It
What is home equity, how much do you have, and what can you do with it?
Jason Given · 7 min read
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Home loans
Renovation Home Loans: How to Finance Your Reno
Options for minor cosmetic updates through to major structural work.
Jason Given · 7 min read
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Home loans
Home Loan Types Explained: Which One Is Right for You?
Variable, fixed, split, interest-only, offset, line of credit - in plain English.
Steve Chin · 7 min read
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Borrowing
Home Loans for Low Income or Bad Credit: Your Options
Think you cannot get a home loan? Here are the options available.
Jason Given · 7 min read
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First home
Low Deposit Home Loans: Buying With 5% or Less
You do not need a 20% deposit. Here are the options for 5%, 2%, or zero.
Steve Chin · 6 min read
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Home loans
Home Loan Hardship: What to Do If You Are Struggling
Practical steps, options your lender must offer, and how to get back on track.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Borrowing
Home Loans for Nurses and Essential Workers
LMI waivers, higher borrowing limits, and special treatment for medical professionals.
Steve Chin · 5 min read
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Strategy
Paying Off Your Home Loan Early
Discharge fees, break costs, and strategies to pay off faster without penalty.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Home loans
Construction Loans: How They Work in South Australia
Progress payments, what lenders require, and how to choose the right loan for your build.
Jason Given · 7 min read
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Refinancing
Home Loan Cashback Offers: Are They Worth It?
$2,000 to $10,000 to switch. Genuine saving or marketing gimmick?
Steve Chin · 5 min read
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First home
Guarantor Home Loans: How They Work and Who Can Help
Buy with little or no deposit using a family member's property as security.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Buying
Using Gift Money for a Home Loan Deposit
How gifted deposits work and what lenders require from you and your family.
Steve Chin · 5 min read
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Borrowing
How Employment History Affects Your Home Loan Application
Probation, casual, contract, job changes - how lenders assess your employment.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Buying
Land Loans: Buying a Block Before You Build
How land loans work in Adelaide's growth corridors and how to transition to a build.
Steve Chin · 5 min read
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Buying
Sunset Clauses in SA Construction Contracts Explained
What is a sunset clause, how does it affect your finance, and what SA buyers need to know before signing.
Jason Given · 8 min read
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Rates
RBA Raises Rates to 4.35% - What It Means for Adelaide Borrowers
The third consecutive rate rise. What it costs you, what comes next, and what to do about it.
Jason Given · 8 min read
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Market
How Global Conflict Is Pushing Australian Mortgage Rates Higher
From the Strait of Hormuz to your repayments - how geopolitical risk flows into your home loan.
Jason Given · 8 min read
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Market
Adelaide Property Market Outlook - H2 2026
Near $1M median, 0.8% vacancy. What happens in the second half of the year?
Jason Given · 8 min read
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Investment
Negative Gearing and CGT Reform: What Property Investors Need to Know
From 1 July 2027, negative gearing on established property is restricted and the CGT discount is changing. What the reforms mean for investors.
Jason Given · 7 min read
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First home
Federal Budget 2026: What First Home Buyers Need to Know
Unlimited 5% deposit scheme, Help to Buy, and 100,000 homes. What each policy means and who qualifies.
Jason Given · 8 min read
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Investment
Your First Investment Property - How to Structure the Loan Correctly
Interest only vs P&I, separate securities, using equity. Get the structure right from day one.
Jason Given · 8 min read
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Home loans
Offset Account vs Redraw - Which One Actually Saves You More?
The maths is identical. The tax treatment is not. Real examples showing when each wins.
Jason Given · 8 min read
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Separation
Separation Finance: Buying Out Your Partner
How the buyout calculation works, what lenders assess, and how to keep the family home.
Jason Given · 8 min read
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First home
Best home loans for first home buyers
Grants, guarantees, concessions and the right loan features - everything first home buyers need to know before applying in 2026.
Jason Given · 7 min read
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Refinancing
What is refinancing a home loan?
Refinancing means replacing your existing home loan with a new one - usually from a different lender. Here is when it makes sense and what it involves.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Borrowing
How much can I borrow in Adelaide?
How lenders calculate your borrowing capacity and what you can do to maximise it. Expert guidance from Lendology.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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First home
First home buyer grants SA 2026
A guide to first home buyer grants and schemes in South Australia including the First Home Guarantee and stamp duty concessions.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Buying costs
Stamp duty SA - what you pay in 2026
Rates, first home buyer concessions, exemptions and how to calculate what you will pay in Adelaide.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Market
Adelaide property market 2026
What's happening with prices, supply, and interest rates - and what it means for buyers and investors right now.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Refinancing
Should I refinance my home loan?
When refinancing makes sense, what it costs, and how to compare your options honestly.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Brokers
Mortgage broker vs bank
Should you use a mortgage broker or go directly to a bank? An honest comparison of the two approaches.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Buying
Home loan pre-approval guide
What is pre-approval, how long does it take, and do you actually need it before you start looking at properties?
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Rates
Fixed vs variable home loans
The pros, cons and current market considerations for Adelaide borrowers choosing between fixed and variable.
Steve Chin · 5 min read
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Strategy
How does an offset account work?
What a mortgage offset account is, how it reduces your interest, and when it's worth having.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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First home
First Home Guarantee guide 2026
Who qualifies, how it works, property price caps, and how to apply through Lendology.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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First home
How much deposit do you need?
The real numbers for Adelaide in 2026, including low deposit options and government schemes.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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First home
First Home Owner Grant SA
Is the FHOG still available? What it covers, who qualifies, how much it is, and how to claim it.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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First home
What is Lenders Mortgage Insurance?
Who pays LMI, how much it costs, and how you can avoid paying it entirely.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Refinancing
The real cost of refinancing
Discharge fees, break costs, registration fees and how to calculate if switching is actually worth it.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Refinancing
How does refinancing work?
A step-by-step guide from assessing your current loan to settlement with your new lender.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Refinancing
When to refinance your home loan
The signs to look for, the questions to ask, and how Lendology helps you decide.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Refinancing
How to switch home loans
Step-by-step guide to switching your home loan in Adelaide. What to expect and how we manage the process.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Investing
How to structure an investment loan
Structure for cash flow, tax efficiency and long-term portfolio growth in Adelaide.
Steve Chin · 6 min read
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Investing
Using equity to buy investment property
How to use the equity in your Adelaide home to buy an investment property and structure it correctly.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Investing
Negative gearing explained
What it is and how it works with investment property loans in Australia. Plain English.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Self-employed
Self-employed home loans explained
How lenders assess self-employed income, what you need to prepare, and how Lendology helps.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Self-employed
Low doc home loans explained
Struggling to prove income the standard way? What low doc loans are, who qualifies, and what to expect.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Self-employed
Alt doc home loans explained
Alt doc loans accept BAS statements, bank statements and accountant verification instead of full tax returns. How they work in Australia.
Jason Given · Aug 2026 · 7 min read
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Self-employed
Low doc vs full doc home loans
Should you apply for a low doc or full doc home loan? Compare rates, LVR limits, documentation and borrowing capacity.
Jason Given · Aug 2026 · 8 min read
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Self-employed
BAS statement home loans
How lenders use BAS statements to calculate income for home loans. Different methods, different results.
Jason Given · Aug 2026 · 8 min read
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Self-employed
Bank statement home loans
Some lenders accept business bank statements as income proof for home loans. How it works and who it suits.
Jason Given · Aug 2026 · 7 min read
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Self-employed
Low doc investment property loans
Self-employed and looking to invest? Low doc investment loans - LVR limits, rates and lender options.
Jason Given · Aug 2026 · 7 min read
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Self-employed
Low doc refinancing to full doc
Paying a low doc rate premium? How to refinance to full doc rates and how much you can save.
Jason Given · Aug 2026 · 7 min read
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Separation
Separation finance - your options
Your mortgage and finance options when going through separation or divorce in Adelaide.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Bridging
Bridging loans Adelaide guide
How bridging loans work. Buy your next home before your current one sells.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Borrowing
Borrowing capacity guide 2026
What increases your borrowing capacity, what reduces it, and how a broker can help you maximise it.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Rates
How to compare home loan rates
Comparing rates is more than the headline number. Here is what to actually look at.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Strategy
Interest only vs principal and interest
Which is better for owner-occupiers vs investors? The trade-offs explained.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Strategy
How does a home loan work?
How the structure, repayments and features work in Australia. A complete beginner's guide.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Strategy
How home loan interest is calculated
Interest is calculated daily on your outstanding balance. Understanding this changes everything.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Strategy
How repayments are calculated
Your repayment is determined by loan amount, rate and term. Here is the exact calculation.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Strategy
How a home loan top-up works
Borrow additional funds against your existing property without refinancing. When it makes sense.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Brokers
Can a broker get better rates?
Brokers often access rates not available directly. Here is how it works and what to expect.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Brokers
What fees do brokers charge?
Most brokers charge no fees - they are paid by the lender at settlement. Here is how it works.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Buying
Home loan approval timeline
Pre-approval to formal approval to settlement - the real timeline explained.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Buying
Documents needed for a home loan
Complete checklist for PAYG employees, self-employed borrowers and investors.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Rates
Interest Rate Outlook for 2026
Where are rates heading? What the RBA is signalling and what it means for your home loan.
Jason Given · 7 min read
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Market
What the Iran Conflict Means for Australian Home Loans
How geopolitical instability affects Australian interest rates, oil prices and your repayments.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Market
Will Adelaide House Prices Drop in 2026?
Supply, demand, migration and rate factors that will determine price direction.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Borrowing
How Cost of Living Pressures Affect Borrowing
Rising costs directly reduce how much you can borrow. Here is what to do about it.
Steve Chin · 6 min read
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Rates
Should I Fix My Rate Right Now?
Fixed or variable in the current market? How to decide based on your situation.
Steve Chin · 5 min read
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Borrowing
The APRA Serviceability Buffer Explained
The 3% buffer reduces your borrowing by tens of thousands. What it is and why it matters.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Borrowing
Stage 3 Tax Cuts and Your Borrowing Power
The tax cuts increased your take-home pay and your borrowing capacity. Here is how much.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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First home
Is Now a Good Time to Buy Your First Home?
An honest assessment of whether 2026 is the right time for Adelaide first home buyers.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Buying
Renting vs Buying in Adelaide 2026
With rents at record highs, is it cheaper to buy? A real cost comparison.
Steve Chin · 6 min read
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Strategy
Rising Insurance Costs and Your Home Loan
How sharply rising premiums affect your borrowing capacity and repayments.
Steve Chin · 5 min read
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Buying
Can I Buy a House on One Income?
Buying solo in Adelaide is harder but not impossible. Here is how to maximise your position.
Jason Given · 6 min read
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Strategy
What Happens to My Mortgage If I Lose My Job?
Losing income does not mean losing your home. The options available and how to prepare.
Jason Given · 5 min read
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Bridging
How Long Does a Bridging Loan Take to Arrange?
From application to settlement, a bridging loan typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. The realistic timeline and what can speed it up.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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Bridging
Buying at Auction With a Bridging Loan
How to use bridging finance to bid confidently at auction - without selling your current home first.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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Bridging
Bridging Loan Risks: 5 Things to Know Before You Commit
The honest guide to bridging loan risks. What can go wrong, how to protect yourself, and when bridging is not the right choice.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 7 min read
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Bridging
Bridging Loans for Investment Property
How property investors use bridging finance to upgrade, rebalance, or expand their portfolio without selling under pressure.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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Bridging
Deposit Bonds vs Bridging Loans: Which Do You Need?
They solve different problems. Understand the costs, timing, and when to use each when buying property.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 5 min read
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Bridging
Bridging Loans for Construction and Knockdown-Rebuild
How bridging finance works for construction projects - and what makes it different from a standard bridge.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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Bridging
Bridging Loans for Off-the-Plan Property Settlement
Your off-the-plan property is about to settle but your current home has not sold yet. How bridging closes the gap.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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Bridging
Bridging Loan Approval Speed: Banks vs Private Lenders
Compare bridging approval timelines. Banks take 2-4 weeks, private lenders 24-48 hours. The trade-offs explained.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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First home
First Home Buyer Checklist Adelaide 2026
The complete step-by-step checklist for buying your first home in Adelaide. Every stage from deposit to keys.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 7 min read
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First home
First Home Buyer Settlement Costs Adelaide 2026
The complete breakdown of settlement costs. Conveyancing, inspections, stamp duty, and every hidden fee explained.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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First home
Buying Your First Home After Separation or Divorce
If you owned property jointly but never bought in your sole name, you may still qualify for first home buyer benefits.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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First home
LMI for First Home Buyers: Pay It or Avoid It?
LMI can cost $8,000-$20,000+. When it makes sense to pay it, when to avoid it, and every pathway to buying without it.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 7 min read
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First home
7 First Home Buyer Mistakes to Avoid in Adelaide
The most common mistakes Adelaide first home buyers make - and how to avoid them.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 7 min read
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First home
Building and Pest Inspections: What First Home Buyers Need to Know
A $500 inspection can save you $50,000 in hidden problems. What inspectors check, costs, and how to use the results.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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First home
Buying Your First Home When You Are Self-Employed
Self-employed income does not disqualify you. But lenders assess it differently - and choosing the right lender matters more.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 7 min read
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First home
Joint Home Loans for Couples: What You Need to Know
Buying your first home together? How joint applications work, grant rules, and when a solo application might be better.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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Refinancing
Refinancing Break Costs: When Breaking a Fixed Rate Is Worth It
Fixed rate break costs can range from a few hundred dollars to $20,000+. How they are calculated and when the savings justify it.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 7 min read
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Refinancing
Refinancing to Consolidate Debt: Is It Right for You?
Rolling credit cards and personal loans into your home loan can cut repayments by hundreds. But it is not always the right move.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 7 min read
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Refinancing
Refinancing Serviceability: Will You Pass the Stress Test in 2026?
You are paying your mortgage on time. A lower rate would save you money. But the new lender says you do not qualify. Here is why.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 7 min read
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Refinancing
Refinancing an Investment Property: Get the Structure Right
Refinancing an investment property is not just about the rate. Get the loan structure wrong and you could lose thousands in tax deductions.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 7 min read
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Refinancing
Refinancing With Bad Credit: What Are Your Options?
A low credit score does not mean you are stuck with your current lender forever. Your realistic options and how to improve.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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Investment
Investment Property Tax Deductions: Loan Costs You Can Claim
Interest is the obvious deduction. But broker fees, LMI, and establishment costs are also deductible - if you claim them correctly.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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Investment
Building a Property Portfolio: Getting the Lending Strategy Right
Buying your second, third, or fourth investment property requires a different lending approach. Here is how to structure it.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 8 min read
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Strategy
Reverse Mortgages: How They Work and Whether They Are Right for You
Access your home equity in retirement without selling. Costs, risks, eligibility, and alternatives explained.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 7 min read
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Strategy
Downsizing Your Home in Adelaide: The Complete Finance Guide
Everything you need to know about the financial side of downsizing. Equity release, stamp duty, super contributions.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 7 min read
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Construction
Construction Loan Progress Draws: How Payments Work During Your Build
Construction loans release funds in stages as the build progresses. Here is how the draw schedule works.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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Construction
Owner Builder Home Loans: What You Need to Know
Building your own home can save money, but financing it is harder. Which lenders approve owner builders and what they require.
Jason Given · August 2026 · 6 min read
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