Home ownership is a big part of the Australian psyche and many Australians are prepared to take on massive mortgages to buy a place to call their own. read more

Is debt just plain debt, or is there good debt and bad debt? Go back a couple of generations and you'll find people like our grandparents thought that all debt was bad debt. Their rule was don't buy what you can't afford. If you wanted something, you saved for it first. read more

With interest rates and unemployment on the up, if you're a home owner with a mortgage you can't be blamed for feeling a little more nervous than normal about keeping hold of your home. read more

First home buyers and current home owners know that it's currently not a matter of if interest rates will rise but when - a situation that's making home borrowers nervous. Why? Because many borrowers are already overstretched or highly geared. A jump in rates of 1% to 2% over the next year could add $400 to monthly repayments. read more

Favourable economic factors (like low interest rates) and Government initiatives (like the Boost) have persuaded first home buyers to enter the property market sooner - probably sooner than they should. To do so, they have borrowed a higher proportion of the property's value and taken on record levels of debt. Home loan lenders see trouble ahead and have tightened their lending terms meaning for many first home buyers it's now tougher to get a home loan. read more

Buying an investment property requires time, care and effort in order to find the property that offers the right mix of risk, rental return and ultimately profit. Choose the wrong property and your investment strategy could go up in smoke. The same principle applies when choosing the right investment property loan. read more

You're used to taking your car to the mechanic for a service, visiting your doctor for the annual check up or visiting your dentist to make sure your teeth are in good order. The same principle applies with your your home loan. read more

It is common for people to consider purchasing a property to rent out as an investment, writes Graeme Brown, partner of Canberra-based accountancy business, The Firm, but does it make for a successful strategy? read more

Whether you're a first time buyer, property investor or existing home owner looking to refinance, the first thing question you need to be able to answer is "How much can I afford to borrow?" The answer to this question will be found by checking and assessing your borrowing power. read more

There are so many products available today that it's no wonder choosing and selecting your first home loan can seem like a daunting and confusing task. To help you find the loan that's right for you Our Home Sweet Home has put together an easy to understand summary of the main types of home loans available. read more