2023 has been an eventful year in that journey. If we all lived life only by the news headline stories, then the stress and worry of 2023 would have us all in an early grave. We need to remember that when a glass is half empty, it is also half full. Perspective.

In this month’s newsletter, we talk about a way to give to a society that has given us so much.

We take time for a laugh, we share 8 steps to becoming debt-free and we look at a life well lived and one to emulate.

What a year for property headlines!

Rising rents are now the headline, replacing misguided predictions of a property price collapse. There is a property shortage, with not enough houses to accommodate everyone, and the problem is getting worse.

Dozens of applicants are often chasing one property, some offering higher rent or to pay three months’ rent in advance to get a home.

The most important thing about getting into debt is being able to get out of debt!  

Congratulations, you have your own home: Unfortunately for most, the debt lingers on. Is your home debt something you prefer not to think about?

In this month’s IFA News we introduce you to Gina, we chat about the rental crisis and we give you a few reasons to smile.

Read all the news in our August newsletter.

Auctions can be daunting. We are regularly asked for some guidance, so for everyone’s benefit, a list of best auction tips:

The most important thing about getting into debt is being able to get out of debt!  

It’s all too easy to rack up debt – credit cards, car loans – and it may seem all too hard to pay it off. Debt will have a big impact on funds available to repay your home loan, so minimising additional debt is essential.

 Here are eight steps you can take towards minimising your debt.

6th July is a key date, we call it Integrity Day. The registration of the Integrity Finance Australia company was on that day in 2006.

Find out more and read our latest newsletter here.

Overseas interest in Aussie properties has surged to record levels as migration hits highest point in three years.

Amid a national rental crisis, fast recovering population growth, and constrained housing supply, measures to address the housing shortage and worsening affordability featured prominently in this year’s budget. 

While renting is a vital part of Australia’s housing market, it has been failing many.

“Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful” is Warren Buffet’s advice to wise investors, applicable to all asset markets.

Obtaining a home loan is not something just any person can do. 

Assessment processes and rules are complex and convoluted, expert advice is recommended, however as a start point here are the “5 C’s of Credit” underlying the process at all banks.

Average mortgage rates have more than doubled since the Reserve Bank began its hiking cycle in May last year, but not everyone is being impacted equally.

The impact of the 10 consecutive interest rate rises seen so far has been to curtail the average buyer's borrowing capacity by around 30%. With buyers able to borrow less, the total amount they can spend has fallen and this has reduced prices.

Over the coming decades, Australia’s population is set to swell. By 2050, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) tips the latest count of around of 26 million will increase to somewhere between 34m- 41m people. By the same date, Australia has enshrined in law a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions.  

On one hand, millions of extra people are going to need somewhere to live — and millions of new homes are going to need to be constructed to house them. On the other, the country needs to find ways to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint and embrace a more sustainable way of living.

So, how are we going to get there?

New data shows a lift in housing market activity among sellers, with the number of new listings increasing after a slower start to the year.

The latest PropTrack Listings Report indicates activity is starting to heat up ahead of the usually busy autumn selling season, with would-be buyers enjoying more choice in many parts of Australia.