So you’ve decided you want to be a home owner. You’ve looked at some pictures, maybe talked with an agent, and you’re ready to go! The problem here, is especially with the world’s financial situation, nobody wants to lend money to someone who cannot put up a deposit (a down payment) for their home loan. Face it, would you want to lend money to someone who hasn’t managed any significant savings?

Well, it’s time to choose your dwelling. The biggest decision on the table is how exactly you obtain your residence - do you rent your new home, or do you get a mortgage and purchase?

In the modern world, it’s nearly impossible to get by without using plastic. From  ordering products over the internet, to paying bills online, to paying for gas at the pump without having to go inside, cards are used for just about everything.

Looking at a new home? Well, don’t forget to look into energy efficient properties! With the new “green” trend that is popular now, many builders and homeowners are engineering their properties to use less power, and do more with what is available to them. Regardless of if you are into the eco-friendly movement or not, you can cash in on these super-efficient homes that put money in your pocket every time an energy bill is due.

Making the step to purchasing your first home is a huge milestone in your life. There’s nothing quite like the feeling you get when you are truly the king of your castle. Plus, owning a home just makes sense when the financial differences between ownership and renting are compared side-by-side.

Buying real estate, especially a property that you will live in, is often a very emotional decision.

Grants to get you in your first home

About the time that GST was introduced, the Government created the first home owners grant to offset the effect the new tax would have on home ownership.

Financial markets are in crisis, inflation is climbing, interest rates are still high, and buying your first home may seem out of reach or just too risky. But the Australian Government wants to help get Australian’s into the property market.