Category Archives: Home Loan Help

What to do when you want to Switch Banks

Posted on February 15, 2012 by sybblog -

The banks may be in business for a profit, but it is time to remind them that it pays to put customers NOT shareholders first. Whether you’re refinancing or applying for your first loan, we believe that the best strategy … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank Competition, Budgeting Advice, Credit Unions, Home Loan Help, Mortgage Brokers, Refinancing, Spank Your Bank, Unfair Banking | Tagged comes back to you, mates rates mortgages, refunds direct, Teacher's Credit Union | Leave a comment

One Big Switch Sends Interesting Email

Posted on December 9, 2011 by sybblog -

Now might be the time for a bank change. Here’s a deal that definitely looks like it’s worth a phone call. Continue reading →

Posted in Bank Information, Home Loan Help, Refinancing | Tagged bank change, direct to lenders, mortgage deal, one big switch, one big switch email | 1 Comment

Banks and Credit Unions that have passed on the Dec 6 2012 Rate Cut in Full

Posted on December 7, 2011 by sybblog -

Some banks have passed the 0.25% rate cut that the RBA announced on Tuesday in full. Others have not. So, if your bank is one that has not, we suggest that you look at getting a better deal with the … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News, Interest Rates, Refinancing | Tagged interest rate announcement, interest rate cut, interest rate decision, rate cut | Leave a comment

How Much Can I Borrow For My Mortgage?

Posted on December 6, 2011 by sybblog -

When putting together your Mortgage To-Do List, working out how much you can borrow is an important step. Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting Advice, Home Loan Help, Uncategorized | Tagged applying for a mortgage, borrow, credit union, how much can I afford to borrow, how much can i borrow, how much can i borrow from the bank, how much can you borrow, how much can you borrow for a mortgage, how much do i need to buy a house, mortgage broker, mortgage calculator, mortgage referrer, to borrow, your mortgage calculator | Leave a comment

Staying on Top of The Big Four

Posted on November 10, 2011 by sybblog -

As frustrating as it can be, I understand the reality that sometimes it makes sense to go to the Big Four for your home loan. Yes they are profit mongerers and Yes, they will take us for every cent we … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank Competition, Budgeting Advice, Home Loan Help, Mortgage Brokers, Refinancing | Tagged ANZ, australia bank, australian banks, bank smart, big 4, Big Four, CBA, Comm Bank, common wealth bank, Commonwealth Bank, credit union, internet banking, mortgage, mortgage help, NAB, National Australia Bank, national bank, one big switch, personal banking, refinance, refunds direct, WBC, Westpac | Leave a comment

One Big Switch – All their Ducks are in a Row. But are they in Line with Yours?

Posted on October 14, 2011 by sybblog -

Over the last few weeks, One Big Switch has been emailing out offers to the 40,000 Australians who signed up for their Choice Big Switch Campaign. Here at Spank Your Bank we’ve seen a mix of very positive and very … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank Competition, Home Loan Help, In the News, Mortgage Brokers, Refinancing | Tagged Big Four, big four banks, CBA, commonwealth, home loan help, money smart, mortgage, mortgage brokers, obs, one big switch, refinancing | 1 Comment

Kids AND a Mortgage – Is it Possible? Solution Five: Refinance

Posted on September 27, 2011 by sybblog -

The borrowing situation has improved a lot in the last 12 months and there are loads of deals to be had. Unfortunately your lender is unlikely to be willing to offer you a deal until you’re walking out their door … Continue reading →

Posted in Kids AND a Mortgage, Refinancing | Tagged credit union, mortgage broker, one big switch, refinancing, saving money | Leave a comment

Kids AND a Mortgage – Is it Possible? Solution Four: Start a Trend, don’t buy your kids Everything

Posted on September 26, 2011 by sybblog -

As a parent I feel a constant pressure to keep my child up to date with the latest cool gadgets around – especially if little Johnny up the road has one already. I’m also guilty of buying way too much … Continue reading →

Posted in Home Loan Help, Kids AND a Mortgage, Saving Money For Your Kids, Teaching Your Children About Money | Tagged affording a home loan, getting a home loan, kids, money, saving money | Leave a comment

Kids AND a Mortgage – Is it Possible? Solution Three: Buy something and rent it out for 6 – 12 months while you live with your parents

Posted on September 25, 2011 by sybblog -

It is possible to save a huge amount of money by moving in with close relatives (typically it’s only parents who will put up with this, though siblings are an option too) and sharing living costs for a while.

Posted in Home Loan Help, Kids AND a Mortgage, Saving Money For Your Kids | Tagged budgeting, cheap home loan, getting a loan, how to afford a home loan, interest rates, saving money | Leave a comment

Can I Afford This Mortgage for 25 years?

Posted on September 1, 2011 by sybblog -

A mortgage is a massive commitment. In fact the traditional time commitment of a mortgage is the same as a life sentence in gaol…hmmm coincidence? That is the number one thing you need to remember when considering how much you … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank Information, Budgeting Advice, Financial Stress, Home Loan Help, Interest Rates, Understanding Banks | Tagged budget, budgeting, buying a house, can I afford a loan, can i afford a mortgage, finance, getting a loan, interest rates, natural disaster, relationship break down | 1 Comment

Mortgage Brokers – How Can They Help and Do You Need One?

Posted on August 7, 2011 by sybblog -

Getting a loan is not fun. It’s complicated and there is so much hoopla and so many seemingly futile questions/forms involved that I cannot imagine much else that is equally as frustrating (having to phone telecommunications companies is probably the … Continue reading →

Posted in Interest Rates, Mortgage Brokers | Tagged Aussie Home Loans, budget, budgeting, home loan, home loans, interest, mortgage, mortgage broker, mortgage brokers, principal and interest, refinancing | 1 Comment

What is One Big Switch? Is it a con? Will it help? Is it for me? Who is Choice and Who is One Big Switch?

Posted on August 3, 2011 by sybblog -

If you’re talking home loans, One Big Switch seems to be the three words on everyone’s lips at the moment. But what is it? Is it a con? Will it actually help? Will it actually help YOU? – and finally, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank Competition, Budgeting Advice, Home Loan Help, In the News, Interest Rates, Mortgage Brokers, Refinancing | Tagged barefoot investor, budget, budgeting, choice one big switch, finding a homeloan, homeloan, is one big switch any good, mortgage, one big switch, refinancing, scott pape, SyB | 13 Comments

Newsflash – Genworth Gives Refund on Early House Sale Without Even Asking

Posted on July 5, 2011 by sybblog -

A friend of mine recently sold his house. Like many of us, he’d bought and then not been able to keep up with the interest rate rises so he sold within 2 years of getting his loan which included a … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News, Lender's Mortgage Insurance, Mortgage Insurance, Spank Your Bank | Tagged Genworth, home loan, Lender's Mortgage Insurance, LMI, lmi refund, loan | Leave a comment

Mortgage Insurance – Sex, Lies and Deception (But without the Sex) part four – The end is nigh!

Posted on January 20, 2011 by sybblog -

Well Folks… It’s actually here. The final part in our four part never ending saga. Who would have thought that we would eventually come to an end? I was certainly worried that it had vanished beyond the horizon line. Perhaps … Continue reading →