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Monday 8am - 7pm Tuesday 8am - 7pm Wednesday 8am - 7pm Thursday 8am - 7pm Friday 8am - 7pm Saturday 8am - 7pm

https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/mortgagebroker/diginjohnson/

Digin - Mortgage Broker, 572 Hamilton Road, Dunedin (2026)

10/10/2026

How many ways can you buy a swimming pool?

Question: How many ways can you buy a swimming pool?
Answer: At least 8 different ways that I can think of.

And not all of those ways may be suitable for everyone - here is my list.

Not everyone wants a swimming pool either. But perhaps a new car, maybe a boat, a motorbike or a decent holiday? A caravan or a new garage? An aeroplane even?

Doesn't really matter what it is, but if you need to spend a serious amount of money, it may be worth looking at some of the things you can do with your home loan to facilitate your new purchase.

You see, 6 of those 8 different ways I mentioned actually involve your home loan, so it's probably worth a look first, just to make sure.

That's where I can help. It doesn't cost anything to check out what would work for you, and then you can actually make an informed choice.

The least I can do is point you in the right direction and the privacy act ensures our conversation is entirely confidential.

What do you think?

Contact me and we'll see where you stand.https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/email/files/8waystobuythatpool.pdf

09/10/2026

Don't kick yourself later - ask these questions today and avoid loan confusion.

There's nothing worse than walking out of an important meeting, only to realise that you forgot to ask some important questions.

One of the most important meetings you will have when you enter the property market is your initial meeting with a mortgage broker.

In order to get the most value out of your appointment, and improve your chances of being approved for a loan, you need to come along prepared to answer a host of questions about your finances and your living situation.

But don't forget to ask some questions of your own. After all, the goal is to find the right loan for you, which won't happen if you don't speak up. When meeting with your mortgage broker, remember to ask:

Which loan is right for my situation?

There are a range of loans available but your mortgage broker should be able to help you decide which ones best fit your lifestyle.

What is my borrowing power?

This is usually based on your income and financial commitments, and it can vary greatly from one lender to another.

What percentage of the property can I borrow?

It's important to know how much you need to put down as a deposit, and also whether you need to pay other upfront costs, or whether they can be included in the loan amount.

Will I have to take out LMI?

Lenders Mortgage Insurance covers the lender in case you become unable to make your repayments, and there is a shortfall when the property is sold. Some lenders require borrowers to pay this amount upfront.

Which loan offers the best rate?

Some loans might offer a good introductory rate, but it's important to look at the ongoing rate once the honeymoon period is over.

What flexibility does the loan offer?

Can I make changes down the track? What if I want to make a lump sum payment in the future?

Is the rate fixed or variable?

Variable rates are usually lower, but keep in mind that they can change frequently. Fixed rates are a little higher but they provide some certainty for those on a strict budget. However fixed rate loans are usually a lot less flexible than variable rate loans.

What will my repayments be?

It's important to look at your budget and make sure you're not over-committing yourself.

How much is the loan establishment fee?

This is another cost that is often payable upfront, so you will need to ensure that you have funds available at settlement if this is the case.

Are there any ongoing fees associated with the loan?

Monthly account keeping fees can vary between lenders so it's important to make sure you compare your options.

Are there any conditions to be aware of such as discharge costs, fees to change the loan?

Not asking this question could be very costly if you're planning to refinance down the track, or make a significant lump sum payment in a few months.

09/10/2026

What you need to know about the most important part of your home loan:

Are you an expert on all lending related topics? That's okay - most people aren't. If you're still trying to understand the truth about interest rates, you're not alone. Here are a few answers to the questions you were too embarrassed to ask.

How are interest rates determined?

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) sets the official interest rate or 'cash rate' which takes into account a whole list of factors about how the economy is performing at that point in time.

The RBA meets once a month to review the inflation rate, unemployment figures, CPI, PPI and retail sales, and from that information they decide whether to increase, decrease or leave on hold the official cash rate.

The cash rate is the interest rate that the banks and lenders will pay to the reserve bank. If this increases, your lender will usually pass the cost onto you - the borrower. If the cash rate decreases - the reserve bank intends that the savings should also be passed on by your lender - but this isn't always the case.

By moving the interest rates up and down, the RBA tries to keep the Australian economy in check, by either slowing things down to keep the cost of living under control, or speeding up spending to help boost growth in certain areas.

What are the different types of interest rates?

The two main types of interest rates are Variable and Fixed.

Variable rates are usually a bit lower, and you pay the best going rate at the time. If the cash rate increases, your lender will increase your variable interest rate. But if the cash rate decreases, your repayments will usually go down.

Fixed interest rates are locked in for a period of time -usually just a couple of years - so that you know exactly how much you will need to budget for. This can be helpful for borrowers on a strict budget who can't afford a lot of interest rate rises in the short term. However you will usually pay a higher interest rate overall if you choose this option.

Which interest rate is best for me?

The decision of whether to choose a variable or fixed interest rate should be made after carefully considering your own personal needs and commitments.

A mortgage broker should be able to help you weigh up the pros and cons to work out the best option.

08/10/2026

✌️ Refinance options for appliance replacement… because sometimes “Home Sweet Home” comes with expensive surprises 😁❤️🏠

07/10/2026

6 Tips to Avoid a Bad Purchase:

You searched the web for properties that fit your criteria, and one in particular caught your attention. The photographs paint a lovely picture, and the agent swears that this one is something special. But before you get to the open house, be sure to take a moment and remember that you have a job to do...

1. Ignore the trimmings

It's easy to be romanced by the lovely scented candles, flat screen television or pricey bedspread, but the reality is - you're not shopping at a department store. This is an important purchase, and when the designer furniture is removed from the house you don't want any surprises. Make an effort to look past the decorations and really notice the layout, condition, features and drawbacks.

2. Look up, and all around

Take a good look at the ceilings and walls - water damage and leaks can be costly to fix, but the good news is that usually they are difficult to hide as well. Try to use all of your senses and be on the lookout for smells and sounds that might indicate a problem with the property.

3. Check out the neighbours

Your grandparents would probably tell you to buy the 'worst house on the best street'. There's a lot to be said for location, and part of the formula is to be surrounded by neighbours who maintain or improve their properties.

Try introducing yourself to the neighbours and see what you find. If the elderly lady next door says "I'm glad they decided to sell that house - we need new fences and they won't pay up" you might like to leave some room in your budget!

4. What's most expensive to fix

If the kitchen and the bathroom are a lovely shade of brown and you would like to renovate as soon as possible, make sure you can afford it. These are usually the most expensive rooms to improve, and you need to know what you're in for. If in doubt, ask a tradesman to inspect the property with you before you make an offer.

5. Ask lots of questions

It pays to ask plenty of questions - a great one is 'why are they selling?' If you have twins on the way, and the agent says 'they want to have another baby', you might like to consider whether the property is big enough for you.

It's also a great idea to ask how much the current owners are paying for their utilities. Some houses, by design, tend to generate very large heating and cooling bills, so these are all important considerations.

6. If in doubt - organise a building and pest inspection

Unless you really know what you're looking at, it always pays to arrange a building and pest inspection. This can be added as a condition when you make an offer on the property. If the vendor is not willing to allow an inspection, you might like to run screaming down the street before making a very costly mistake.

06/10/2026

Do you have a big ticket item you would like to purchase but aren't sure the best way to do it?

There are many different ways we can buy things - some better than others.

There are also some that can end up costing you way more than you might realise.

To give you a few new ideas, please have a look at my short "9 Ways to Pay for My Racehorse (or holiday, pool, car ...)" PDF article.https://www.mortgageaustralia.com.au/email/files/9waystopayformyracehorse.pdf

06/10/2026

Read this before you sign on the dotted line:

Have you been asked to act as guarantor for your child or another family member? Before you whip out a pen and sign the contracts, you need to hear Wendy's story.

Wendy is in her mid- sixties, and lives in Perth with her son. She has a granny flat at the rear of her son's property where she stays with her two dogs, Millie and Ellie.

A few years ago, Wendy was living in a three bedroom house that she originally purchased with her late husband Jo, who passed away a long time ago. She didn't have a mortgage anymore, and she was looking forward to taking it easy in her retirement.

When Wendy's daughter came to visit one day, she had an important question to ask. She was looking to purchase her first home, but the bank wouldn't grant approval because she had only been in her job for a few months. Liz wanted her mum to act as guarantor on the loan to help her get across the line.

Of course, Wendy wanted to help her daughter, and after she spoke to a few friends she found that it was a fairly common practice to do this favour for one's child. Without giving it too much thought, Wendy decided to sign the contracts that the mortgage broker had drawn up.

On the day that Liz settled on her home, Wendy dropped around with a bottle of ch*****ne to help her celebrate this exciting new step. There was a lot of unpacking to be done, but her daughter had never looked happier.

Six months later, everything had changed. Liz was suddenly made redundant and lost her job. Her boyfriend had also ended their relationship a couple of weeks earlier, and she began to suffer from severe depression. The mortgage went unpaid for several months, and when Liz avoided contact with her lender, the house was taken by the bank and sold.

In the time that all of this was happening, property values had decreased slightly in the area, and due to the need for a quick sale, the property was sold for $80k less than what Liz originally paid. After the sale was finalised, the bank was not able to recoup all of their funds, so they focussed their attention on Liz's guarantor.

Wendy had been under the impression that she might have to pay some of the missed instalments on her daughter's behalf. She didn't realise that the bank could demand that she pay the difference between the sale price and the loan amount. When Wendy didn't have the $70k that the bank were asking for, they sold her house from under her.

This sort of scenario is more common than you might think. Parents naturally want to help their children succeed in the world, but it's very important to understand what you're agreeing to if your child asks you to act as guarantor. If you don't understand the contracts, make sure you get a solicitor to investigate for you.

Remember too - there's always another way of doing things, and sometimes a cash gift can be a better option. Or better yet, your child might need to wait until they are financially able to make the leap into home ownership.

05/10/2026

Do you know what your credit record says about you?

Have you ever actually seen it?

For many borrowers, it can be quite a surprise to learn that a few blotches have appeared over the years on their credit history report.

Unfortunately, many are blissfully unaware until they apply for a home loan. Once your application has been lodged, it can be tricky to challenge your credit report and prove your worth to the lenders.

Don't let this happen to you. Enrol in boot-camp today and get your credit record in shape - and the good news? You won't need to squeeze into the Lycra and start counting calories.

1) Review your credit record

The first step is to get your hands on a copy of your credit history report.

This can usually be done through your mortgage broker, or by directly contacting a Credit Reporting Body.

There are quite a few companies who can provide your credit report to you, but the national bodies are: Veda, D&B, and Experian.

2) Challenge any discrepancies or misunderstandings

If you think that there's a discrepancy on your credit history report, you can challenge these.

The first step is usually to contact the company who added the incorrect information to your report, and see if they can amend it.

Failing this, you can dispute the discrepancy through a Credit Reporting Body.

3) Be honest

It pays to be upfront with your lender about anything on your credit report that could impact your ability to borrow.

Most lenders are fairly strict, but some will take into account your explanation credit issues, and the steps you took to resolve them.

4) Cut down debt and credit

Before you apply for a loan, try to reduce the amount of credit card debt - and also available credit that you have.

Some borrowers are surprised to learn that a credit card with no debt owing at all - but with a high limit, can have an impact when being assessed for a loan.

Try to reduce your limits wherever possible, or if you don't really use the card then consider cancelling it.

5) Know your finances

Come to the first meeting with your lender or broker, prepared to explain your budget, expenses, income and your capacity to repay the loan.

It's also important that you can demonstrate savings, as most lenders will require at least 5% of the purchase price in order to approve a loan. When it comes to the deposit, the more you can pay upfront, the greater your chances of being approved for a loan.

If you can put down 20%, you will remove the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) which could represent significant savings for you.

04/10/2026

Federal and State Governments review their incentive schemes for First Home Buyers with each annual Budget.

To find out the latest benefits you are eligible for, visit http://www.firsthome.gov.au/.

If you have any questions or would like some help in obtaining all the benefits you can, I'm here to help. http://www.firsthome.gov.au/

04/10/2026

Discover the best ways to get your first home.

Low interest rates, flat property prices and government grants continue to entice plenty of first-time buyers into the home market.

While home is where the heart is, savvy first-time buyers are also using their heads. Here are some of the best ways to make your first move.

AN APARTMENT

It's generally accepted that, on average, units achieve lower capital growth than houses over the long haul. However, that average tends to over-simplify things and ignore the many lifestyle benefits that can come with a unit in a handy location.

Units generally allow first-time buyers into areas they couldn't afford if they were buying a house. The lower capital return is often a trade-off.

The right unit, though, can still provide capital growth over time and a solid leg-up to something bigger or better, while owners get the benefit of convenience and low maintenance in the meantime.

What to look for:

- Within 15km of the C*D.
- Walking distance to public transport, cafes and restaurants.
- I-nternal laundry.
- Lock-up garage.
- A complex with a high percentage of other owner occupiers.
- Affordable body corporate fees.
- City views.
- Built-in wardrobes and other storage.

What to avoid:

- Too many stairs.
- Areas with a glut of new apartments for sale.
- Over-capitalising on any make-over.
- High body corporate fees.
- Something to consider:

If you decide to trade up to something bigger, you may find your unit becomes an ideal starter for an investment portfolio.

THE FIXER-UPPER

If you're set on a certain area but find yourself short on the sale price, consider an older house in need of renovation. With property prices flattening, the opportunities for a quick profit with a lick-and-flick have dwindled. But for first-home owners looking to settle for five or more years, a renovator's delight could still have plenty of upside.

Fixer-uppers generally appeal to buyers who plan to do most or some of the work themselves. If you're not handy or don't have time to work on the property, steer clear.

A professional building inspection is a must for all properties, but the devil is always in the detail when it comes to older homes. Read the inspection report thoroughly and seek more information and repair quotes if any issues are highlighted.

What to look for:

- Houses that only need cosmetic work such as a new kitchen, bathroom, paint, floor coverings and landscaping.
- Sound electrical and plumbing.
- A high aspect (views always add value).
- Signs of other renovations in the neighbourhood.
- Excellent local infrastructure, such as public transport, or plans for improvements.
- Good property drainage.

What to avoid:

- Asbestos (unless it is a bargaining chip and can be removed easily by an expert).
- Structural deterioration.
- Damp.
- Properties prone to flood.
- Something to consider:

Look in post-war suburbs with ageing populations, especially if they are near other areas that have already undergone urban renewal.

HOUSE AND LAND PACKAGE

Your first home doesn't have to be your dream home, but a house and land package could get you close.

If you are prepared to be further from the city, the house and land bundle is worth considering. You not only get all the conveniences of a new home, often built to your design, but better energy efficiency than an older home due to new regulations and improved green technology. You may also be able to take advantage of government incentives for new homes, on top of regular first-home buyer grants.

The trade-off for all of this is usually distance. If you work in the city, a long commute to the office may soon take the gloss off your new home and neighbourhood. On the other hand, affordable, new developments are opening up in smaller cities, such as Brisbane and Perth, which are not as far flung as the new home and land packages in Sydney.

The biggest challenge with new neighbourhoods is infrastructure, especially transport. Talk to the local council about what is planned for the area and when.

What to look for:

- Infrastructure to support a new suburb, including shops, public transport and schools.
- A reputable builder who has built other homes in the area, not another state.
- Land that will help set your home apart - a high aspect, city or bush views.
- An easy-to-read contract that spells out all inclusions, progress payments, completion date, allowable delays and treatment of unforeseen conditions.
- Good drainage.

What to avoid:

- Flood-prone land - reclaimed industrial sites and land near golf courses and parks are often on flood plains.

BUDDY UP

Many singles are now finding two heads and wallets are better than one when it comes to their first home. Siblings and friends are buddying up to get a better quality first home than they would solo. Finding the right partner is key, with trust and reliability critical. Contracts now accommodate tenants-in-common with equal and unequal shares in a property.

As your local Mortgage Broker, I can then help you structure a loan that reflects each owner's share and repayments.

Talk to your local mortgage broker

Your house hunt should start with a visit from a local Mortgage Broker. Brokers work for you, not the lender. Their aim is to find the best home loan for your situation, saving you money over the life of the loan. They can also manage the entire loan process and organise pre-approval so you can start your property search with confidence.

Digin - Mortgage Broker

10/10/2026

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