Posts
Interest-only vs principal & interest: when IO makes sense
IO is not free money - the reversion step-up can be brutal. Four scenarios where IO genuinely saves cash, and three where it loses.
25 January 2026
The APRA 3% serviceability buffer explained
APRA tells lenders to assess borrowers at current rate + 3%. It's why a 6% loan gets stress-tested at 9%.
24 January 2026
CGT main residence exemption: the rules
Full exemption for the home you actually live in - but the six-year rule, partial exemptions and death transfers complicate things.
23 January 2026
482 TSS visa holders: lending options
Temporary skilled visa holders can still borrow - LVR capped at 70-80% and income shaded by some lenders. Who treats them best.
22 January 2026
WA first-home buyer grants and duty in 2026
Western Australia's FHOG is $10,000 for new builds only; duty concessions are separate. Eligibility and interaction.
19 January 2026
CGT Disposal Timing for Exit Planning in 2026
Spreading sales across financial years and bunching deductions in the same year can save five-figure amounts of tax.
17 January 2026
Owner-builder loans: what lenders will and won't accept
Being your own builder limits your lender pool dramatically. Who still lends, at what LVR, and what evidence they need.
16 January 2026
Subclass 190 State Nominated: which state to apply to first
Every state has its own list, threshold, English requirement and commitment period. How to sequence your applications.
14 January 2026
Parent guarantor: what they're actually signing
Limited guarantee vs unlimited, release triggers, and the conversation to have before they sign.
13 January 2026
How to read a comparable sales report like an agent
CoreLogic and PriceFinder reports look the same to most buyers. The filters and adjustments agents actually apply.
11 January 2026