When Mark saw that to win the Birdman title was more about fundraising than actually ‘flying’ he knew he had a chance to pull it off. Mark & his Rotary Club of Frankston Sunrise set a target of $15k & ultimately raised $16k. Under the rules of the Birdman Rally each $500 raised earns you a point which is added to the distance you ‘fly’. Mark flew 7 meters but had 32 fundraising points. The total of 39 was enough to win.

Mark & his Rotary Club raised money to buy SkyHydrants (Mark is holding the one he had on his back when he jumped) which filters dirty water (like the Yarra) into clean drinkable water at 1000 litres an hour. Rotary Clubs purchase these Skyhydrants & send them to schools in 3rd World countries. The end result is that children attend school more often as they are not so regularly sick from their local water. As a consequence they get a better education & & hopefully a better life. $5k buys one SkyHydrant so $16k will buy 3. However, the really good news is that the City of Melbourne donated a further $10k for winning plus Mark has another $9k donated which wasn’t officially counted. This total of $35k will then be matched by a Rotary Global Grant to become $70k. 14 SkyHydrants now not 3.

Well done Mark!

Video courtesy of Channel Nine News

Please contact Integrity One if we can assist you with this or any other financial matter.

Phone: (03) 9723 0522

Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

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Welcome to the next in a series of videos featuring Integrity One staff members sharing stories of day to day experiences which may be of interest to you.

Today we hear from Tom Bailey & Matt Borg who are teaming up with Gino Nardella of ProAcct Integrated Financial Services & Amy Hawker of Surfcoast Podiatry for a big event being held at the end of March.

Click here to find out what they are up to.

Or

Click here to support the boys in their quest

To speak to Tom or Matt about this article or another Integrity One staff member regard this or any other financial financial planning or accounting matter please call on –

Phone: (03) 9723 0522

Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

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This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser before making decisions using this information.

Following the lodgement of a home loan application, hopeful borrowers are often keen to know what will happen next and how long it will take for them to receive the verdict. The bad news is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The good news, however, is that a solid application is the key to keeping the approval time short.

The amount of time it takes for you to receive a response to your home loan application can vary. An answer is usually received between two days to two weeks, depending on a range of factors.

For a reasonably straightforward application, it’s around 48 hours to a final approval. But, depending on how complex the circumstances are, it can take longer than that.

Before offering conditional approval, your potential lender will need to make an assessment of your application and conduct a valuation of the property. Of course, having a valuation that is acceptable to the lender done in advance will expedite the process.

With valuations, the intention is to support an application rather than to make or break it.  There are a few things that can result in an application not being approved based on valuation, like zoning, property size, or if the condition of the property is poor enough that major repairs would be required before it could realise its market value.

The lender will also assess your capacity to repay the loan amount you have requested. This is where all of the information about your salary and liabilities come into consideration, and where accurate and complete information is essential.

The credit review by the lender can include a bit of to-and-fro between the customer, the broker and the lender due to the lender’s request for further information as that credit review takes place.

Your potential lender makes an overall judgement of you as a borrower and the complexity of your financial history will affect how long this takes.

It’s best to be full and frank in disclosure from a borrower’s perspective. The biggest red flag is non-disclosure of liabilities or adverse information on a credit history, whether it is included in documentation or not.

The complexity of the application process is a great reason why you would sit down with a reputable broker, as they can just explain all of that to you.

Following the submission of an application, you can expect your finance broker to be in touch with you to update you on progress, and to notify you of the outcome. If your application is approved, your broker will also advise you of when to expect a formal letter of approval from your lender.

Integrity One’s Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia accredited Finance Brokers Nic Berry and Tom Bailey are  happy to speak to you about how they can simplify the home loan application and approval process, and create the strongest application for you.

Please contact Integrity One if we can assist you with this or any other financial matter.

Phone: (03) 9723 0522

Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

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Nicholas Berry Credit Representative Number 472439 and Thomas Bailey Credit Representative Number 472440 are Credit Representatives of Integrity Finance (Aust) Pty Ltd – Australian Credit Licence 392184.

This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. These articles are not owned by Integrity One Planning Services. Please consult your adviser before making decisions using this information.

Are you at an age where you find it difficult to complete certain tasks around the home but want to stay living in your home? Or do you need help to support someone else who lives in your home with a disability, dementia or other care needs?

Your preference may be to live in the comfort and familiar surroundings of your own home for as long as possible and delay any move into a residential care facility. The government also encourages independence in the home through subsidised home care services.

If you have been approved by an Aged Care Assessment Team/Service (ACAT/ACAS) for a home care package, the most important decision you will need to make is to choose a home care provider who can deliver the services you want in the way that you want. This can be a stressful and time-consuming task.

This article should help to demystify the key issues for choosing a home care provider to help you receive the care services that you need in a way that represents value for money.

The key steps are shown below.

Making your choice – a checklist

Once you have been allocated a home care package you will need to choose and engage a home care provider to manage your home care package.

You should start by researching providers in your local area and consider what type of care services you need and what would be important in how they are delivered. You should also compare the fees charged by providers.

Some of the key questions to consider include:

• What kind of tasks do you need help with to continue living in your home?
• Which tasks are most important to you?
• What support do you have around you in terms of family and friends?
• How involved are these people in your daily life and what capacity do they have to help with your care needs?
• What package level have you been approved for and what is the allocated budget?
• Can you afford to pay for extra support if the home care package will not be enough?
• Do you have any cultural, religious, lifestyle needs or preferences that need to be considered when choosing a provider?
• What fees do the providers charge?
• How will the care provider provide the services and how much control can you have?

This checklist provides a list of questions to ask home care providers when making your choice.

Find out about the home care provider:

• What is their complaints process and history?
• What services do they offer?
• Are these services in line with your care needs?
• Does the provider align with your personal values?
• If you have religious, cultural or sexuality issues that need to be considered, how does the provider cater for these needs?
• If you have any specific disabilities or physical impairments (e.g. blind, deafness) how can the home care provider cater for these needs?
• Can the provider cater for any language barriers?
• What feedback or testimonials can they provide on the quality of their services?
• Who does the care provider employ to provide the care services? Are they employees or contractors?
• What screening checks are conducted for the care workers?
• Can you choose the people who will provide the care services? Can you choose when the services are provided?

Determine the range of fees the provider would charge:

• What administration fees would the provider charge?
• Is there a case management fee, and how much?
• Are you and/or your family able to take on some of the case management work to reduce any fees? What are the requirements and or restrictions?
• What is the hourly rate for services? Does it vary depending on the type of service?
• Are there any other fees or costs that the provider charges, for example, travel time?
• Can the provider provide additional services if needed? What would be the fees?
• What is the exit fee if you transfer to another provider?

Determine how urgent your needs are and investigate the capacity of the provider to meet your needs:

• Does the provider have a waiting list?
• How long would you need to wait and what would be the impact of this wait on you and your personal support networks (ie family and friends)?

Help to make the choice

You can do your own research to choose a provider, but this can be time consuming, so you may want to engage a professional to help with your search and selection.  Integrity One Financial Planners has accredited aged care specialists available to help you with this.

You should start the search as soon as you receive the ACAT/ACAS approval and not wait until a package is actually allocated. If you are approved for a home care package you will be added to the National Queue to wait for a package to become available. You will then be notified when a package becomes available. From that point, you have 56 days to select a provider and sign a home care agreement. If you miss the deadline your package is cancelled and you go back into the Queue.

Some resources to help with your search include:

Myagedcare.gov.au – Use the ‘find and set up services’ function to search for providers in your area

Financial advisers – Some financial advisers who specialise in aged care may be able to connect you with providers.  Integrity One has very experiences & accredited Aged Care Advisors.

Friends & relatives – Ask for referrals and recommendations – you may know people who have already done the research.

Placement services – Aged care placement services may be able to help you to identify available providers and make a choice

Signing a home care agreement

Once you choose a home care provider you will need to arrange a budget and care plan to design what services will be provided and how the package money will be spent. This will also include the costs that you need to contribute.

The last step is to sign a home care agreement outlining the services to be provided (as agreed in your care plan) and the terms and conditions of engagement. You may wish to get legal advice to review this contract before signing.

Managing complaints

If you experience any problems with the services you are receiving or the staff providing services, you should first speak to the home care provider. The aim is to resolve the issues without compromising or interrupting the services you are receiving.

If the matter cannot be resolved, you can refer the matter to the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner:

• 1800 550 552
• www.agedcarecomplaints.gov.au
• Aged Care Complaints Commissioner, GPO Box 9848, (Your capital city and state/territory)

Integrity One has qualified accredited aged care specialists available to assist you, or your loved ones, with this process.

Please contact Integrity One if we can assist you with this or any other financial matter.

Phone: (03) 9723 0522

Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

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This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser before making decisions using this information.

In your retirement years, retirement villages may provide you with a lifestyle choice that allows you to reduce the time and effort required to maintain your home.

Some villages provide basic levels of supervision and nursing assistance and there is a trend for newer villages to offer serviced apartment living or home care services. But retirement villages are generally more suitable if you are still able to live independently.

Even though the decision to move into a retirement village may largely be driven by lifestyle considerations don’t ignore the commercial aspects. Always read the contract carefully and seek legal advice to ensure it is fully understood.

Click here for a Checklist of issues that you may wish to consider before deciding to move into a retirement village.

If you would like to find out more about moving into an aged care home, check out the My Aged Care website or contact us. Integrity One has qualified accredited aged care specialists available to assist you with your, or your loved ones, aged care needs.

Please contact Integrity One if we can assist you with this or any other financial matter.

Phone: (03) 9723 0522

Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

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This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser before making decisions using this information.

For those getting ready to stride into the world of home ownership, the uncertainties of pre-approval can cast a shadow of doubt over an otherwise exciting time. When is it necessary? How long does it last? And what does it involve, exactly?

Pre-approval is a lender’s assessment of your likelihood of being approved for an otherwise suitable loan. The appraisal is made on the basis of your ability to service a loan by looking into your living expenses and liabilities, your credit history, your employment circumstances and how often you have moved home or employment in the recent past.

As it is performed prior to a property being found and chosen, it does not take into account the particulars of a specific property and valuation, which is why uncertainties can arise.

Pre-approval is helpful for those who want to know how much they can borrow before attending open homes and can be reassuring for new borrowers.

When someone gets pre-approval they can start looking at properties knowing how much they can borrow. They know what their price range is and can take comfort in knowing that a lender has looked at their application to make sure it meets policy.

Pre-approvals are usually valid for up to 90 days but, depending on the lender, may be renewed to allow more time to find a property.

It is very important to note that a pre-approval is not a guaranteed loan. It is your potential lender’s way of signalling how much they expect to lend you. This may change on your official application.

Lending policies are changing day-to-day, week-to-week at the moment so anyone with a conditional approval, it’s a good idea to speak to your broker to find out if any policies have changed.

Another thing that may cause a lender to decline your loan application after pre-approval is a change to your pre-approval circumstances. So, things like obtaining another credit card or car lease, or any other debt may affect your ability to service the loan.

Your pre-approval will also usually be conditional on a property valuation. If your lender does not deem the property a marketable asset, they may not approve a loan.

Pre-approval is not a guarantee but is a very useful tool for anyone looking for a property.

Integrity One’s Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia accredited Finance Brokers Nic Berry and Tom Bailey are  happy to help you with your pre-approval before you lock in your Saturday open home schedule.

Please contact Integrity One if we can assist you with this or any other financial matter.

Phone: (03) 9723 0522

Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

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Nicholas Berry Credit Representative Number 472439 and Thomas Bailey Credit Representative Number 472440 are Credit Representatives of Integrity Finance (Aust) Pty Ltd – Australian Credit Licence 392184.

This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. These articles are not owned by Integrity One Planning Services. Please consult your adviser before making decisions using this information.