While it’s tempting to get swept up in the excitement of real estate listings and open homes with freshly baked cookies, it’s important to remember one key principle: caveat emptor- let the buyer beware. In other words, it’s up to you to make sure you’re not buying someone else’s expensive problem disguised with a fresh coat of paint.

Let’s talk about what that means and how to do your homework before you pick up the keys to your future.

Check for unwelcome houseguests or hazards

Just because a house looks clean and tidy doesn’t mean there isn’t a party of pests going on behind the walls. Termites, in particular, are silent destroyers that can chew through timber framing like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet.

A professional pest inspection can determine if there’s any current activity, previous infestations, or evidence of rodents and other creepy-crawlies you’d prefer not to share your home with. It’s much easier to walk away from a dodgy property than it is to evict a thousand termites.

Of course, it’s also a good idea to check for any potential health hazards like mould, asbestos, or lead paint, which are common in older homes, and even consider checking for soil contamination.

Make sure there’s no insurance surprises

Some properties come with a lovely location and serious risk. If you’re eyeing a home near a river, in the bush, or on a coastal cliff, don’t forget to check what kind of insurance situation you’re getting yourself into.

Insurers might charge a premium or flat-out refuse to cover you if the property is in a flood-prone or bushfire-vulnerable area. Before making an offer, check local hazard maps and call for quotes. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.

Check the property’s history

Not all home improvements or renovations are done by the book. Before you get too attached, ask for the paperwork. Has the work been approved by council? Are there permits and final inspection certificates for any recent renovations? If not, you could be looking at future battles with the council, expensive fixes, or worse, being forced to demolish an unapproved structure you just paid good money for.

Don’t judge a home by its new carpet

Fresh paint, new carpet, and strategically placed furniture can hide a multitude of sins. Sometimes sellers use cosmetic upgrades to cover up deeper problems like mould, damp, or structural damage.

If the house smells like fresh paint or looks a little too perfect in specific areas, your inner detective should be on alert. It’s not rude to poke around. Lift a rug, peek inside the cupboards, turn on taps and check out the roof space and under the house, if you can. Things that can be red flags include misaligned doors, cracks in walls or new plasterwork, windows that are hard to open or have cracked glass. These issues can all point to structural issues that can be expensive to fix.

Get a professional involved

Consider engaging a professional building inspector to identify any undisclosed or non-compliant works and look for signs of water damage, dodgy wiring, structural issues, and other costly defects that aren’t visible to the untrained eye.

Think of it as hiring a bodyguard for your future bank account.

Don’t neglect the fine print

Even if the seller seems genuine and the home looks like something out of a magazine, don’t skip the fine print. Request documentation and take the time to have the contract of sale reviewed by a solicitor or conveyancer. Make sure any inclusions like appliances, curtains, or fixtures are clearly listed. Check if there are any easements, restrictions, or future developments nearby that could affect your property. You don’t want to move into your peaceful dream home only to find out there’s a freeway going in or an apartment complex being built next door.

You should compare the measurements shown on the title document with actual fences and buildings on the property, to make sure the boundary matches what’s on paper.

A property might come with charm, character, and a great location, but you need to make sure it also comes with solid bones, legal compliance, and no nasty surprises lurking under the surface.

So, take your time and remember, you’re not just buying a house. You’re investing in your future comfort, safety, and happiness.

If you have any questions or need any information please give us a call on 039723 0522.

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd

The growth of Australian home values is not slowing down with national gains continuing. Cotality’s national Home Value Index rose 3.1% over the quarter to December, growing 1.0% in November, marking the third month in a row where Australian home values have increased by 1% or more. However, the pace of growth is moderating, coming down from 1.1% in October.

Before the February rate cut, housing conditions were losing momentum, even recording flat to falling values through late 2024 and January 2025,” said Tim Lawless, Cotality’s research director. “The first rate cut in February marked a clear turning point, with home values moving through a positive inflection across most regions and gathering steam since then.”

Markets are starting to diverge

The larger capital cities had gains, with Sydney property values rising 0.5% and Melbourne, the second largest capital city, increasing by 0.3% in November. All of the other capital cities had gains of 1% or higher throughout the month, with Perth leading the way with a 2.4% surge in value.

Cotality’s research director, Tim Lawless stated that the growth across the mid-sized capitals is diverging from the larger capital cities, which is similar to what we saw back in 2023 and 2024.

“The skew towards the mid-sized capitals is especially evident in Perth, where listings are holding more than 40% below average, buyer demand is elevated and the 2.4% monthly rise in dwelling values has added just over $21,000 to the median in November, roughly $5,000/week.”

Supply remains tight

Auction clearance rates peaked in mid-September and have been trending lower in the following months, falling below the decade average by mid-November with the larger capital cities, Sydney and Melbourne seeing clearance rates sitting around 60% in the second half of November.

Housing supply is continuing to remain scarce for a number of reasons, with affordability being the main factor, followed by skilled labour shortage, which is holding back the construction of homes.

Inflation causing concern

There is renewed pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia, with inflation increasing again in October to 3.8%, up from 3.6% in September. This rise indicates the RBA will not make a rate cut and there has been speculation that the cash rate will be held for an extended period of time, or the RBA may even consider a rate hike in December or February 2026, which would be a concern for first home buyers and mortgagees alike.

Changes to lending criteria may impact the market

In a recent announcement from Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), there will be changes to limit the high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of loans. Mr. Lawless noted the majority of recent mortgage originations remain significantly below a DTI of six or more. “This new credit policy won’t be implemented until February next year, but even then, it’s likely to only affect the margins of borrowing activity,” Mr Lawless said.

Dwelling values over the quarter 

Melbourne

The Victorian capital saw a modest 1.6% quarterly move according to Cotality figures, taking the city’s median dwelling price to $823,495. Investors should take note that the gross rental yield figure for Melbourne is 3.6%.

Sydney

Sydney experienced a dwelling value change of 1.8% resulting in a median of $1.269 million. The gross rental yield for the Harbour City remains the lowest of the capitals at 3.0%.

Brisbane

The Queensland capital continues to record the second most expensive spot for dwelling values at $1.015 million and a quarterly rise of 5.5%. Brisbane has recorded a gross rental yield of 3.4%.

Canberra

The national capital recorded a rise of 2.2% during the quarter with the median now sitting at $891,626. For Canberra, the gross rental yield is 4.0%.

 Perth

Perth prices increased 7.4% over the quarter, taking its medium to $914,229. Perth recorded 3.9% gross rental yield.

For more information about how you might be able to purchase a property in the current market, get in touch with us today 0n 03 9723 0522.

Note: all figures in the city snapshots are sourced from: Cotality national Home Value Index (December 2025)

If you have any questions or need any information please give us a call on 039723 0522.

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd

If you’re a first home buyer in today’s market, you’ve likely been reading about interest rate cuts – finally, some good news! But then, just as you’re getting hopeful, you check house prices again and… yikes. Affordability is still delivering a cold splash of reality as property prices are predicted to increase over the next year.

If you’re feeling like someone forgot to give you the key, it might be time to look at which path you could tread to your first purchase.

Leverage government support (it’s there for a reason!)

There are a number of schemes and incentives aimed at helping first home buyers – both federally and through the states and territories. Here is a quick overview:

• First Home Guarantee – Allows eligible buyers to purchase with as little as 5% deposit, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
• First Home Super Saver Scheme – Use your super to save for a deposit with tax advantages.
• Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee – For eligible buyers purchasing in regional areas and only 5% deposit is required.
• Family Home Guarantee – Allows eligible single parents and single legal guardians of at least one dependent to purchase a home with a deposit as little as 2 per cent.
• A grant or support from your state or territory government – Many states and territories offer grants as one-off payments for eligible buyers purchasing or building a new home as well as reduced or zero stamp duty for first home buyers, often based on the value of the property.

Each state offers its own unique cocktail of grants and concessions, so it’s worth checking out what’s available and we can help you weigh up which one might be the most suitable for your circumstances.

The Bank of Mum and Dad

Still the fastest-growing lender in Australia, parental support is more common than ever. More than 60% of first home buyers in Australia receive some form of financial assistance from their parents to buy their first home.

Assistance can be in the form of a gift, a loan or going guarantor. If your folks are open to helping financially, it can make a huge difference.

That said, not everyone has this option, and it’s worth remembering that family money can sometimes come with strings attached.

Consider co-buying with a friend

If you are single, it can be particularly hard to get into the market and buying with a friend can make owning a home more affordable by splitting the deposit and the repayments down the middle. Plus, sharing ongoing costs like maintenance and bills can take some pressure off your budget.

That said, things can get tricky if one of you wants to sell early, or if your priorities suddenly diverge. Legal and financial clarity is essential, so if you go down this path, make sure you’ve got a solid agreement in place and some honest conversations under your belt.

Rentvesting – buy where you can afford, live where you love

Recent research found 54% of first home buyers were considering ‘rentvesting’ to get into the property market, so rentvesting is certainly gaining traction. The idea is simple: you buy in a more affordable area and rent where you want to live.

It’s not the traditional white-picket-fence dream, but it can be a clever way to build equity while maintaining lifestyle flexibility.

Compromise to achieve your dream

We know you’d love a three-bedder, walking distance to your favourite café, with a study, backyard, AND water views. But unless you’re sitting on a trust fund, you’ll probably need to adjust your wish list. The three big levers are:

• Location – Look at up-and-coming suburbs or regional areas.
• Condition – A fixer-upper can be a long-term win if you’re handy (or handy with a budget).
• Size – A smaller footprint or apartment can be a smart first step.

Think about your priorities and use the levers above to work within your budget. If you’re still feeling like the great Australian dream is out of reach, take a breath. There are many ways to get into the market, and a little creative thinking can go a long way.

We help first home buyers like you find your own way in, every day. So, if you’re ready to chat about what your journey could look like, come talk to us.

If you have any questions or need any information please give us a call on 039723 0522.

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd

If you have a poor credit score or an error in your credit report, it may affect loans or credit you apply for. You have a right to get errors fixed for free, and you can arrange this yourself.

What you can get fixed (for free)

Here are some of the typical errors in credit reports. You can get these fixed for free.

Errors by the credit reporting agency

The credit reporting agency may have reported your information wrongly. For example:

• your name, date of birth or address needs updating
• a debt is listed twice
• the amount of a debt is wrong

To fix this kind of error, contact the credit reporting agency. They may be able to fix it straight away or help you get it changed.

Errors by the credit provider

A credit provider may have reported information wrongly. For example, they:

• incorrectly listed that a payment of $150 or more was overdue by 60 days or more
• did not notify you about an unpaid debt
• listed a default (an overdue debt) while you were in dispute about it
• didn’t show that they had agreed to put a payment plan in place or change the contract terms
• created an account by mistake or as a result of identity theft

To fix this kind of error:

• Contact the credit provider and ask them to get the incorrect listing removed.
• If the credit provider agrees it’s wrong, they’ll ask the credit reporting agency to remove it from your credit report.

If you can’t reach an agreement, contact the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) to make a complaint and get free, independent dispute resolution.

If you’re struggling to get something fixed, you can contact a free financial counsellor for help.

What you can’t change or remove

You can’t change or remove any information on your credit report that is correct — even if it’s negative information.

For example:

• All payments you’ve made during the last two years — on credit cards, loans or bills, whether you paid on time or not.
• Payments of $150 or more that are overdue by 60 days or more — these stay on your report for five years, even after you’ve paid them off.
• All applications for credit cards, store cards, home loans, personal loans and business loans — these stay on your report for five years.

For a full list, see what’s in your credit report.

Check before you use a credit repair company

You may see ads from credit repair companies offering to fix errors on your credit report about credit products (like credit cards).

Before you go ahead, check the credit repair company is licensed on ASIC’s website. Choose ‘Credit Licensee’ or ‘Credit Representative’ in the drop-down menu when you search.

Only deal with a licensed credit repair company.

You don’t need to pay a credit repair company to clean up errors in your credit report. They may charge you high fees for things you can do by yourself for free. Paying a credit repair company may not improve your credit score.

How to improve your credit score

If your credit score is low, there are steps you can take to help improve it. You can:

• lower your credit card limit
• limit how many applications you make for credit
• pay your rent or mortgage on time
• pay your utility bills on time
• pay your credit card on time each month — either pay in full or pay more than the minimum repayment

As you do these things, your credit score will start to improve. So you’ll be more likely to be approved next time you apply for a loan or credit.

Source:
Reproduced with the permission of ASIC’s MoneySmart Team. This article was originally published at https://moneysmart.gov.au/managing-debt/credit-repair

If you have any questions or need any information please give us a call on 039723 0522.

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd

Spring. The season of new growth, longer days, and an explosion of “For Sale” signs popping up like daisies. It’s no secret this is the busiest time of year for real estate and it’s not just the weather that’s warming up. The property market is buzzing, with a greater range of homes to choose from, more buyers out there, and property values on the rise across much of Australia. 

But while spring brings plenty of opportunity, it can also get a little…frantic. The trick is to stay cool-headed in a hot market. Here’s how.

A season of opportunity

Spring is notorious for being the most active selling period of the year. That means you’ll likely have more properties to choose from, which is great news if you’ve been looking for a while or holding out for “the perfect home”. But it also means more buyers are emerging from hibernation. And this year, there are plenty of them. According to a recent report, 44% of Australians plan to buy a home in the next five years.

As we enter the first rate cutting cycle in years, buyers are approaching the market with greater confidence – and often with a pre-approval in hand. Pre-approval volumes are  up 30% on 2024 figures and 50% up from February 2023.

Translation? The spring market is competitive and if you’re not ready, you could easily find yourself left behind.

Sort your finances first

The first step (before you even start trawling listings or lining up inspections) is getting your finances sorted.

There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a property only to realise you’re not in a position to act quickly enough. So, it’s important to understand how much you can borrow, be clear on what your repayments might look like, and ideally also get a home loan pre-approval in place. Pre-approval gives you a concrete idea of your budget and shows sellers and agents that you’re serious. In a fast-paced market, that can make all the difference.

Do your research (it’s more fun than it sounds)

Buying a property is one part emotion and five parts research and that means doing your homework.

Get familiar with the suburbs you’re targeting. Check out recent sales in the area and compare asking prices. Understand the local amenities, schools, transport links, and development plans. If a home seems unusually cheap or too good to be true, there’s probably a reason.

And don’t just rely on glossy listings. Talk to agents, attend auctions (even if you’re not bidding), and keep track of how quickly properties are selling. The more time you spend understanding the market, the more confident you’ll be when it’s time to buy.

Don’t let the styling sway you

Spring is a clever time to sell. The flowers are blooming in the gardens; the sun is shining in the windows and vendor stylists know exactly how to make a home look like your future dream life. But as charming as a styled home might be, it’s important to look past the surface.

Staging is designed to help you picture yourself living there, but it can also distract from potential flaws. Ensure you look below the surface. Is the layout right for your lifestyle? Is there enough storage? What’s the condition of the roof, wiring, or plumbing?

And yes, the roses in the garden might be spectacular, but they’re not going to help with your morning commute.

Be fast, but don’t be rash

It’s a delicate balance: moving quickly without being rushed. In a spring market, hesitation can absolutely cost you, especially when the competition is high. But that doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind or offering more than your budget allows just to ensure success.

If you’ve done the prep work (budget sorted, criteria defined and pre-approval secured) you’ll be ready to act swiftly when the right property comes up.

And if you miss out? Don’t panic. There’s always another property coming onto the market. Keep your strategy tight, your expectations grounded, and your eyes on the long game.

Whether you’re stepping into the market for the first time or moving into your next chapter, a little preparation can give you that spring in your step to make your property dreams come true.

If you have any questions or need any information please give us a call on 039723 0522.

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd

Thinking of buying a home? That’s a big step and an exciting one too. But before you start scrolling through real estate listings, it’s important to consider how any debt you are holding will impact your application.

When you apply for a home loan, lenders look at more than just your income. They assess the whole picture to determine how much they’re willing to lend you. One of the key pieces of that puzzle is your existing debt. Depending on what you owe and to whom, it could either reduce the amount you can borrow or impact your chances of being successful in your application.

How lenders decide what you can borrow

Lenders calculate what’s known as your borrowing power. This is the amount they believe you can comfortably afford to repay on a home loan. To figure that out, they consider your income, your expenses, existing debt, credit history, savings patterns, and the size of your deposit. They’ll also take into account the property you’re wanting to buy, the term of the loan, and type of loan.

It all comes down to risk. A lender wants to be confident you can meet your repayments without stretching yourself too thin. And that’s where the type of debt you hold becomes very important.

Some debt is better than others

Not all debt is equal. Some types of debt are seen as manageable or even responsible, while others are not viewed favourably.

Let’s start with personal loans, particularly those used for holidays, weddings or other one-off costs. These are unsecured and tend to have higher interest rates, which makes them less attractive from a lender’s perspective. On the other hand, a car loan that’s secured against the vehicle might be seen in a slightly better light, though it still reduces your capacity to take on a mortgage.

Student debt, like HECS or HELP, is generally treated more leniently because of its income-based repayment structure. But lenders still factor it in when assessing how much disposable income you have.

Credit cards can be especially tricky. It’s not just the balance you owe that matters – it’s the limit. Even if you clear your balance each month, a high limit can work against you because it represents potential debt.

Buy now, pay later services have become increasingly popular, but they also tend to be red flags for lenders. If you’re regularly using these services, it could suggest you’re relying on short-term credit to get through the month.

Then there’s co-borrowed debt, where you’ve taken on a loan with someone else. Even if you’re not the one making the repayments, a lender will still treat that debt as your responsibility. And if you already have an existing mortgage, that naturally has a big impact on what you can afford to borrow next.

Steps to reduce the impact of debt

If you’re keen to strengthen your loan application, there’s plenty you can do. Start by checking your credit report to make sure everything listed is accurate and sort out any errors or unexpected surprises.

Focus on paying off high-interest debt first, especially credit cards. If you can, reduce your card limits or close accounts you’re not using. That alone can make a noticeable difference to your borrowing power.

Try to avoid taking on any new debt in the months leading up to your application. A new personal loan or store finance might seem manageable now, but it could make your finances look more stretched than they actually are.

The goal is to show lenders that you’re in control of your money. That means a steady savings history, low debt levels, and a clear plan for managing repayments once you take on a mortgage.

Remember, debt isn’t everything

While your debt levels play a major role in the loan assessment process, don’t be discouraged if you’re not completely debt-free.

What matters most is how you manage the debt you do have and the steps you’re taking to get your finances into shape. If home ownership is your goal, now’s the perfect time to start managing your debt and building up your financial confidence.

Your future self (with the house keys in hand) will thank you for it.

If you have any questions or need any information please give us a call on 039723 0522.

Integrity One Wealth Advisers  Pty Ltd