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Business Planet - CPA Public Practice, 161 Daws Road, St Marys (2026)

03/09/2026

Discover how to turn your home equity into a better retirement for you.

If you have equity stored away in your home, now could be the perfect time to tap into it for an investment property.

Equity is simply the difference between the value of your home and what you owe on it. If you have a property valued at $500,000 and owe $200,000 on it, you have $300,000 equity available.

There are a few reasons why the time is ripe for home owners to scout out an investment property.

Firstly, property prices have flattened across most of Australia in the wake of global uncertainty. However, key indicators in the US now point to a recovery there, which our market is likely to follow, especially given our strong economy. So, not only is now a buyer's market but there's a good chance of capital gains in the first few years of ownership.

Secondly, interest rates are low. After the recent drop in official rates, there is strong speculation they won't dip further in the short term.

Thirdly, we still have a housing shortage here in Australia, which continues to drive low rental vacancy rates. That means good properties rent easily.

So, where to begin?

Start with a visit to your local Mortgage Broker to get a rough idea of what you can borrow. Your broker can estimate your equity, talk through the types of loans available and give you a rough idea of repayments. Then you will know what you can afford before you start looking at properties.

You can also do some rough sums beforehand with some of the calculators on our website.

A broker can find the right loan for your circumstances and shop around for the best deal. One of the most popular products among property investors is a line of credit. It acts like a big overdraft at a home loan rate, giving you instant access - as a rule - to up to 80% of the equity in your home. Interest is only paid on the funds you use. It's a very elastic, convenient product. But one word of caution: you need to be disciplined with your cash flow. Easy access to equity can be a temptation for many borrowers to spend up big on depreciating assets that offer no investment value and only add to your overall debt.

Capital gains or rental return?

You should decide whether you want strong rental returns or decent capital growth over the next several years on your investment. If you are in a high tax bracket and looking to create a tax advantage through an investment loss, you will be looking for capital gain.

First-time investors looking to establish a portfolio of properties should also be aiming for capital growth over the next five or so years, as this will establish equity for the next property purchase. However, some investors are not in a hurry for capital growth and prefer their property to be cash positive or neutral from the get go. If that's the case, consider a property in one of the areas with a long-term future in resources, where rents reflect a shortage of housing. Just keep in mind that although the resources sector has a strong future, based on global demand, your investment is entirely dependent on the continued success of one industry.

Right now, the bottom line is that there's potential for both decent capital gains and rental returns for property investors who chose the right property in the right location.

Find the right property

The first rule is to invest in property with your head and not your heart. Remember, you are not buying a home or apartment to live in yourself.

Savvy investors look for properties:

- Close to public transport and other amenities, such as shops or schools, especially in-demand public schools that only accept students in their local catchment.
- That are low maintenance and well maintained.
- In areas with good potential for capital gains.
- In areas with low rental vacancy rates.

Another tip for first-time investors is to stick to familiar turf. It could be near where you live now, where you grew up or previously lived, where you have friends or family or near where you work. Not only are you more likely to feel comfortable investing in a familiar area but you can keep an eye on local trends and the property itself.

You should also find out whether any major infrastructure projects are slated for your target area. New roads, public transport and major developments, such as hospitals, can add significant value to rental properties. Visit www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au for links to the major planning departments in each state.

Managing your investment - and your tenants

Like all investments, rental properties need to be managed. You can be landlord and property manager in one, or pay a professional property manager. If you are busy or live some distance from the property, your money will be well spent on a reputable, reliable manager.

For a small monthly fee (generally 6 to 9% of rent), a good manager will vet prospective tenants, ensure the property is looked after, make sure rent is paid on time, arrange repairs and maintenance and recommend appropriate rent increases. Ask for referrals from other investors and look for an agent who specialises in property management, rather than sales, so you know your rental will not be second fiddle to other activities. You should agree on what your property manager can authorise automatically when it comes to repairs.

It's also important you keep tabs on the local property market to track the equity you build over time, which not only adds to your wealth but could be used towards your next investment property.

03/09/2026

If you are thinking of buying your next home - here is a choice you will be facing:

Will your life come to an end if you don't have a walk in wardrobe? Is it important for you to have a home cinema, or would you prefer to be in a modest property, within walking distance of great restaurants and sporting facilities?

There are so many choices when you start shopping for a home, and one difficult decision is whether to choose a new home (buying off the plans or buying something recently constructed), or whether to opt for an older property at a better price.

There are plenty of pros and cons to take into account, but here are a few of the main ones:

New Home:

A new home is unlikely to need any ongoing repairs in the short term. Anything that happens in the first seven years should be covered by the builder's warranty. You won't have to worry about the ducted heating breaking down and costing you a fortune to replace.

If something happens and you need to put the property up for sale, a new home is a more attractive option for buyers. It's likely to have more features and conveniences than an older home, and it won't have mustard coloured wall paper (unless you chose that option when you built!)

Like all shiny new things, a new home usually comes complete with a higher price tag, which means higher repayments and greater likelihood of you experiencing financial hardship in the future. You will have less of a financial buffer if things change, like interest rates increase, sudden unemployment, or long term illness.

Usually new homes are built in a more distant location, unless you really are stretching the budget for a new home in an inner city suburb. Because you're likely to be further out, it might take longer to achieve the growth that you would like - especially if the same house and land package is still available just down the road after your home has been finished for several years.

Keep in mind, there will also be additional cost of finishing the home, such as curtains, carpets, landscaping and driveways.

Older home:

If you purchase an older home, it's likely that you will be in a better location with higher chance of capital growth. This means that you could make quite a bit on your investment by hanging onto it for a few years, or you might even choose to renovate in the future which could further boost the value of the property.

It's likely that you will have a lower purchase price with lower repayments, which means a buffer for any unexpected things that might arise.

You will have a better chance of building your investment portfolio in the future by keeping the purchase price down, rather than blowing the budget on building a new home.

It's your personal choice whether you change anything, but there should already be window furnishings, established gardens and driveways so you won't have to finish the dream.

On the flipside, an older home might be less attractive to buyers if you have to sell - or you might end up having to do some renovations to achieve a good price.

There could be a need for ongoing repairs and maintenance which could be very expensive depending on the problem. If you discover a major issue with the foundations of the home, for example, the repair bill could run into the tens of thousands.

One important step if you choose to purchase an older home is to obtain a building and pest inspection report. This will help to ensure that your dream home isn't riddled with termites, or about to slide down the hill.

02/09/2026

By world standards, Australia is a wealthy nation. We have a strong economy with high employment and a far rosier outlook than most developed countries. And yet almost half (47 per cent) of us are anxious about our finances, according to research by the Boston Consulting Group.

Finance guru Paul Clitheroe reckons most Australians want to improve their financial situation but don't know where to start.

Financial literacy is not about getting rich. It's about understanding and putting into action the basics of budgeting, saving, investing and protecting our assets.

"Understanding money helps individuals and families manage financial stress, work towards meeting their goals and assists in securing their financial well-being " Clitheroe says.

We have put together our top tips to help get you started:

1. Stick to a budget

Most people don't stick to a budget because they don't have one. Having a budget not only helps you spend within your means and save, it can ease personal and relationship stress.

Make sure you are realistic and thorough when working out your budget. Include all of your expenses - coffees, lunches, hair salon visits, entertainment, cosmetics and clothes - plus the obvious weekly and monthly necessities, such as your mortgage or rent, groceries and petrol.

It's also a good idea to budget for a whole year so you don't miss large, irregular expenses, such as council rates, car registration, Christmas gifts and holidays. Break these expenses down around your pay cycle so you get a true picture of what you need to spend from each pay and what you have left at your disposal.

2. Break down big bills

The big bills mentioned above can be real budget busters. Some of us are disciplined enough to leave money in our account for a rainy day while some need to set funds aside so we are not tempted to spend.

If you are more of a spender than a saver, set up a separate account for quarterly and annual bills and contribute to it regularly based on your budget breakdown. For example, if you know you have to pay around $400 in council rates each quarter and you get paid fortnightly, set aside $60-$70 from each pay in a separate account.

Apply the same concept to Christmas expenses to ease the squeeze on your credit card and enjoy a debt-free start to the following year!

3. Drive down debt

Most of us have debt. The secret is knowing the difference between good debt and bad. Having a home loan, for example, is healthier than carrying a hefty, high-interest credit card bill. Property is an asset, which has the potential to increase in value over time. Credit cards, on the other hand, are used to pay for depreciating assets, holidays and entertainment. Often the debt you owe far outweighs the value of the original purchase.

Take a pulse check on your debt by looking at how much you owe, what you are paying in interest and how long it will take to pay off. Make a plan to pay down the loans with the highest interest first, even it means cutting back your personal spending for a period.

4. Protect your assets

We work hard to establish our assets, but we don't always make sure they are fully protected if the worst happens. Insurance Council of Australia figures suggest some 70 per cent of homes in Australia are under-insured. Owning a home and not having adequate insurance is a gamble.

Apart from many of us living in areas prone to natural disasters, we all face the risk of house fire.

Make sure your sum insured reflects how much it will cost to rebuild your entire home and replace all of your contents. Some insurers now offer complete replacement policies for the home building where the premium automatically reflects any increases in the building costs.

You should also have some income protection in case you are unable to work. Check the disability cover in your superannuation and consider getting extra income protection to cover any gaps.

5. Money Health Check

To find out how your finances are fairing, take a Money Health Check at https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/.

There are tools to help individuals and households budget, set savings goals and calculate their net worth.

I am always here to check the health of your home loan to make sure it suits your circumstances and is helping you reach your financial goals and if you haven't done this in a while, do get in touch.

01/09/2026

Some tips to help you buy your next car for less.

Enjoy that new car smell longer.

There is something special about buying a brand new vehicle - the smell... the pristine paint... the purring of a well timed and perfectly balanced motor.
.. So how do you ensure that feeling is not soured as you drive out of the car dealership?

Car dealerships can be a very high pressured sales environment. The salesperson has a number of techniques they will utilise to ensure their bottom line is better than yours.

The most important factor to ensure you obtain a 'good deal' is to do your research before you start negotiating.

When buying a new vehicle, generally a number of individual transactions take place:

1. purchasing your new vehicle,
2. selling your old vehicle, and
3. organising finance.

When negotiating, you should strive to win on each of these transactions.

Before entering negotiations with the salesperson it is recommended you complete the following steps, which are outlined here in my latest factsheet: "Enjoy that new car smell longer!"https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/email/files/enjoythatnewcarsmelllonger.pdf

30/08/2026

If you are planning to start a family - these financial tips will help.

Are you managing a mortgage and starting a family?

Many a new parent has been caught out realising our once organised calm life is a thing of the past when we bring our bundle of joy home. It's amazing how tiny babies can turn our household upside down.

We quickly learn that we need to be more flexible about when we eat, sleep, go to the shops and even have a shower.

It helps to be flexible in your financial life too when the impact of a reduced household income and the expense of a new addition to the family start to become apparent.

A little forward planning now can make it easier to focus on what's important later - your family.

Here is a guide with some ideas on how you can relieve the financial pressure of starting, or increasing, your family - Can you manage a Mortgage and a Baby?https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/email/files/amortgageandababy.pdf

28/08/2026

Will a new vehicle jump-start your earnings?

It�s always important to take stock and consider whether the purchase of new assets or equipment will benefit your business. Asset finance is often the answer.

Financing new equipment, instead of purchasing it outright, can be a good way to preserve cash flow and working capital while adding an asset that can begin to generate immediate income.
And, of course, there may be potential tax advantages that could also come your way.

28/08/2026

Australia has once again become a nation of savers. No longer is debt de rigeur. In this post-GFC era we prefer to play it safe with lower levels of debt and are looking for ways to be debt-free faster.

Savvy savers are making the most of low interest rates and their savings by maximising offset accounts. An offset account is essentially a savings account that is linked to a loan account. Instead of earning interest on your savings deposit, the funds are used to offset the loan account.

Your loan repayment remains the same, but more of it is used to pay off the principal, reducing the life of your loan and slashing the amount of interest paid.

How offset accounts work

Lenders generally offer two types of offset accounts: full offset or partial offset.

A full offset account offers you the same interest rate on your savings as what is charged on your home loan. For example, if you have a $100,000 home loan with interest charged at 6%, plus $10,000 in an offset account earning 6%, the lender will offset your loan balance with your offset account balance and only calculate interest on $90,000.

A partial offset account only offers you a standard savings rate, which is lower than the interest charged on your home loan, so one does not completely offset the other. Using the same example as above, a partial offset account might charge the same 6% on the loan but only offer 4% on the savings. Instead of one lot of interest completely offsetting the other, you would pay a reduced interest rate of 2% (the difference between 6% and 4%) on $10,000 of your loan.

Many borrowers opt for a 100% offset account to take full advantage of this feature, but speak to your broker for more information about this type of account.

Benefits

An offset account still allows you to make extra payments on the loan. However, instead of paying more into your actual mortgage, you maintain as high a balance as possible in your savings. This reduces the interest and life span on your loan but gives you all the access and flexibility of a regular savings account, should you need it.

Some lenders even allow you to set up an offset account with a fixed rate loan, giving you certainty around your payments plus the opportunity to get ahead of the debt.

There is also the added benefit of a tax incentive. Because the interest is essentially not earned, you don't have to include it in your taxable income.

Still in the nest

The key to maximising an offset account is to maintain as high a savings balance as possible. The first step to flesh out your finances is to have your salary paid directly into your savings account. Then it's a matter of keeping your money in the savings account for as long as possible.

One of the most effective tools is a credit card with a generous interest-free period. Look for a lender offering 55 days interest free. While it may seem strange to use credit to save, putting as many costs as possible on a card with a long interest-free period can be an effective loan buster.

The interest-free period allows you to squirrel away as much of your pay, and any other earnings, for as long as possible to maximise your interest earnings. You just need to make sure you pay off your credit card debt in full before the interest-free period runs out.

What you should consider

An offset account can be a very effective strategy to stay one step ahead of your home loan, providing your spending does not outstrip your savings and you leave your funds to grow over time.

You also need savings to start an offset account. The whole concept fails if you don't have any savings to leverage in the first instance. You then need to ensure you can maintain surplus cashflow, especially if taking advantage of a credit card with an extended interest-free period. If that's the case, you will need to be disciplined with expenses, payments and timing. If tempted to put too much on the plastic, the credit card tactic may become a debt trap.

Similarly, if you don't want to be tempted to overspend, you may be better off injecting any spare funds straight into your loan repayments instead of turning to an offset account.

Look for an offset account that still gives you the standard benefits of a regular savings account: ATM, EFTPOS and telephone and internet banking. Although the aim is to maximise your savings, you still want to be able to access and use your funds as you would with any regular savings account.

Lenders also often charge a higher home loan rate for an offset account. Ask your broker to help you shop around for the most competitive option to suit your circumstances.

If you are still paying off your home or an investment property, but also managing to sock away some savings, an offset account could help you be debt-free faster. Talk to your broker about your circumstances to find out which options may work best for you.

26/08/2026

If you are a property investor - here is how to increase your rental returns.

You've taken the plunge into the investment property pool and now have to find tenants. Although most rental markets throughout Australia remain tight, there's still a need to put your property's best foot forward to attract optimum returns.

Here are some of the ways you can add value and ask for more rent for your investment.

ADD OR UPGRADE APPLIANCES

If your rental has no dishwasher, add one. You can ask an extra $5-10 a week in rent and tick one of the big convenience boxes for renters.

European or stainless steel appliances in the kitchen can also add appeal, especially with the proliferation of would-be Masterchefs and My Kitchen Rulers.

LAUNDRY

If you have an older unit with no internal laundry, take a leaf from the Europeans and install a front-loader washing machine under a bench in the kitchen. You could also add a wall-mounted clothes dryer in the bathroom if there's room, or install a retractable clothesline on a balcony. Expect to collect about $30 extra a week with internal laundry facilities.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL

You can charge $20-30 a week extra by installing an inexpensive, wall-mounted, reverse-cycle air-conditioner, especially if the property is in a very hot or cold climate. Tenants in hot climates will also appreciate - and pay a little extra for - ceiling fans if you don't want to fork out for air-conditioning.

FURNITURE

Fully-furnished rentals do attract higher yields (from $80 upwards, depending on the property and area), but are not for everyone. Renters who are in transient professions (defence force, teaching), relocating long distances, leaving a relationship or moving out of home for the first time are more likely to target furnished rentals. Others may be put off if a place is furnished because it means their gear has to be stored.

Do your homework on the area and the type of renters it attracts before stocking up on extra couches.

UNDER-COVER PARKING

You don't have to build a garage to provide protected parking. Consider building a carport over a driveway. A simple $5,000 carport will probably pay for itself through extra rent in around two years.

EYE FOR DETAIL

Glimpses of gleam can have a big visual impact, just as worn, rusty and scratched fixtures can detract. Modernise older properties with small details, such as new handles on drawers and cabinets, more contemporary light fittings and sparkling stainless steel taps. You can also give a stale bathroom a quick and cheap facelift with new towel rods and hooks, a large mirror and a new shower screen. These little features are hygiene factors that will attract a higher-paying tenant.

STORAGE

Built-in wardrobes are highly sought, so make sure you have them in every bedroom. They not only attract extra rent, but broaden the appeal of your property. You can also add storage by reconfiguring existing wardrobes and kitchen cabinets.

Think about outdoor storage too, such as a shed or garage shelving, as tenants are likely to have bicycles, sports gear or camping equipment to stow.

SECURITY

Insurance statistics show renters are twice as likely as owner occupiers to be burgled, often because security is not as stringent. Make your place less appealing to burglars and more enticing to renters by installing security screens on doors and windows. Just ensure you don't bar windows, as they can pose a safety hazard in the case of fire.

REDUCE ENERGY COSTS

Tenants are often prepared to pay a little more in rent to save a lot on their utilities. Replace all standard light bulbs with energy efficient ones and switch the old electrical hot water system for a solar-boosted one. Make sure you promote the property's energy efficiency when advertising for tenants.

25/08/2026

How to pay your credit card off completely this year.

Are you growing increasingly concerned about your credit card balance?

Do you feel like you keep making the repayments but the total never goes down? It probably doesn't. Credit card debt is very bad debt and it has a way of reproducing itself faster than a pair of rabbits.

So how can you get your credit card paid off by the end of the year?

Mark managed to pay off a $7k credit card balance in one year, just by making a few smart decisions with his budget.

Decision number 1: Cancel the Pay TV. Mark was paying $79 per month for subscription TV. He didn't really watch it very much because he was working long hours.

Saving: $948

Decision number 2: No more morning Cappuccino. Mark's boss had recently installed a great coffee machine in the office, so he decided not to get a $4 coffee on his way to work every day.

Saving: $1040

Decision number 3: Ride to work. Mark had purchased a new bike last year, and he was really keen to get fit. An easy 20 minute ride to work every day saved him paying for train tickets.

Saving: $3000

Decision number 4: Cancel the Gym membership. Mark had made only two guest appearances at his gym this month, and he felt it was a waste of money now that he was riding to work.

Saving: $1200

Decision number 5: No beer on weeknights. Mark was enjoying his new fitness regime and he decided that he would try to only drink beer on the weekends. He stopped buying a 6 pack 2 nights a week.

Saving: 1456

Mark's story shows just how easy it is to pay off your credit card debt by making a few small changes to your lifestyle. But the first step is to stop spending on the card.

If you can stop growing the debt, you can then start working on bringing it down, one coffee at a time!

22/08/2026

We all know that interest rates are cyclical and that when rates go down they will eventually go up.

As a result, lenders have been assessing loan applications on the ability of borrowers to make repayments at interest rates approximately 2% higher than those currently available.

While lenders have been assessing your ability to make repayments at a higher interest rate, what is the reality of the fi nancial impact of your regular loan repayments?

To make sure you are ready, click here to read my "What goes down, must come up" article.https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/email/files/whatgoesdownmustgoup.pdf

Business Planet - CPA Public Practice

03/09/2026

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