
IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO MANAGE YOUR OWN INVESTMENT PROPERTY?
There are advantages and disadvantages to managing your own property. Let’s look at why you may want to do it yourself and why you might hire a professional. Buying an investment property is a major commitment. A key decision for many investors is whether to manage it themselves or to hire a property manager. The pros of managing your property Better oversight. A property manager will never have the same level of personal attachment to your property as you do. As manager, you

SMART TIPS FOR PAYING OFF YOUR HOME LOAN SOONER
Wondering how to pay off your home loan sooner? We look at some things you could do. Australian home loan interest rates remain at historic lows, and the opportunities for paying off a mortgage early are better than ever. Used in conjunction with low rates, here are some extra steps that can speed up loan repayments and reduce your loan balance. Make higher repayments One of the easiest ways to quickly reduce the balance of your mortgage is to make larger loan repayments. The

THE RENOVATION JOBS YOU CAN DO YOURSELF – AND THOSE YOU SHOULDN’T
When it’s time to renovate, everyone wants to save money. It’s fine to be hands-on for some tasks, but there are a few projects that are definitely not DIY friendly. Here’s a guide to what you may want to do yourself and what you should leave to the professionals. What to do yourself: Painting A fresh coat of paint can give you a strong return on your renovation dollar. Painting is a job almost anyone can take on themselves, although it can be messier and more time-consuming

HOUSEHUNTING YOUR WAY: ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO FIND A PROPERTY
Finding the perfect property isn’t always easy. Despite the number of homes for sale, the unpredictable nature of the market can make house hunting exhausting. If you’ve tried property websites, newspapers and real estate agents’ windows without success, here are five more unconventional strategies to try. 1.Do a letterbox drop This is a strategy most real estate agents use to win listings, but there’s nothing stopping you from taking the same approach. If there are particula

FIVE ESSENTIAL PRE-AUCTION-DAY TIPS
After months of house hunting, you’ve found your ideal home or investment property. When auction day is approaching, it’s time to get serious about preparing to bid. Here’s a checklist of five essential things to do before putting up your hand at auction. Secure your finance If you’re serious about a property, you’ll bid more confidently if you have pre-approval on a home loan. Alecto Finance is the perfect place to start. Alecto Finance will work with you to decide which loa