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Expert advice on home loans, property investment, and building wealth through real estate
First Home Buyers
October 15, 2025
Thinking about buying your first home? The journey can feel overwhelming, but with the right information and guidance, you can make confident decisions. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about becoming a first-time homeowner in 2025.
Government Support: The Australian government offers several schemes to help first-home buyers, including the First Home Owners Grant, stamp duty concessions, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme. These programs can significantly reduce the financial burden of purchasing your first property.
Borrowing Capacity: Most lenders allow first-home buyers to borrow up to 95% of the property value. Your actual borrowing capacity depends on your income, expenses, credit history, and the property's value. At Chawla Finance, we work with 40+ lenders to find the best home loan for your situation.
Stamp Duty Concessions: Depending on your state and property value, you may be eligible for stamp duty concessions or exemptions. Some states offer full exemptions for properties under certain thresholds.
Pre-Approval: Getting pre-approval before looking at properties gives you a clear understanding of your budget and shows sellers you're a serious buyer. Contact Chawla Finance for a free pre-approval assessment.
Get Pre-Approved Today →
Investment
October 8, 2025
Property investment has long been considered one of Australia's most reliable wealth-building strategies. Unlike shares or other volatile investments, real estate provides tangible assets and multiple pathways to generate income and equity growth.
Why Invest in Property? Property investment offers several advantages including capital appreciation, rental income, tax deductions, and leverage through mortgages. Over the long term, property prices in Australia have consistently appreciated, providing investors with substantial returns.
Investment Loan Types: Investment property loans differ from owner-occupied loans. You typically need a larger deposit (20-25%), and interest rates may be higher. However, rental income can often offset or exceed loan repayments.
Tax Benefits: Investment property owners can claim numerous tax deductions including interest on loans, property management fees, maintenance costs, and depreciation. These deductions can significantly reduce your taxable income.
Building Your Portfolio: Many successful investors build portfolios over time, using equity from existing properties to fund new purchases. Chawla Finance can help you structure your investment strategy across multiple properties.
Discuss Your Investment Strategy →
SMSF
October 1, 2025
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have become increasingly popular as a wealth-building tool in Australia. Using your superannuation to invest in property offers unique advantages but also comes with significant responsibilities and potential pitfalls.
What is an SMSF? An SMSF is a superannuation fund you manage yourself, allowing greater control over your retirement savings and investment decisions. You can have up to six members, and all must be trustees and actively involved in running the fund.
Benefits of SMSF Property Investment: Using your SMSF to purchase property allows you to leverage your super for wealth creation. You can also claim depreciation benefits and potentially benefit from tax-free investment growth within the fund.
Rules and Regulations: SMSFs are heavily regulated by the ATO. You must comply with contribution caps, investment rules, and reporting requirements. Non-compliance can result in penalties and disqualification of your fund.
SMSF Loans: SMSF loans are a specialized type of finance where the loan is secured against the property held within the fund. Interest rates and terms differ from standard mortgages. At Chawla Finance, we specialize in SMSF loans and can connect you with lenders experienced in this area.
Learn About SMSF Loans →
Construction
September 24, 2025
Building a new home offers the opportunity to create exactly what you want, tailored to your needs and preferences. However, financing a construction project differs significantly from purchasing an established property. Construction loans provide the specialized financing needed for this process.
How Construction Loans Work: Rather than receiving the full loan amount upfront, construction loans are drawn down in stages as construction progresses. This ensures you only pay interest on funds actually used, not the full loan amount.
Timeline and Process: The construction loan process typically takes 3-6 months from application to settlement. Lenders conduct inspections at various construction stages to ensure progress and quality meet agreed standards.
Interest Rates: Construction loans typically have interest-only periods during construction, with repayment terms commencing upon completion. Interest rates may be higher than standard mortgages due to the increased risk involved.
Deposit Requirements: Construction loans typically require a 10-20% deposit. Your builder's qualifications, the project's feasibility, and your financial position all influence lending decisions.
Explore Construction Financing →
Refinancing
September 17, 2025
Interest rates have changed significantly in 2025, and if you haven't reviewed your home loan recently, you could be missing out on substantial savings. Refinancing can reduce your repayments, shorten your loan term, or unlock equity for investment or renovations.
When to Refinance: The best time to refinance is when interest rates have dropped below your current rate or when your financial situation has improved, allowing you to access better loan terms.
Costs to Consider: While refinancing can save money, there are costs involved including application fees, valuation fees, and potential early repayment penalties on your current loan. Calculate the break-even point to determine if refinancing makes sense for your situation.
Potential Savings: Even a 0.5% rate reduction can save thousands over the loan term. For example, on a $400,000 loan, a 0.5% rate reduction saves approximately $2,000 per year.
Refinancing Strategy: Consider different loan structures such as splitting loans, switching from interest-only to principal and interest, or increasing repayments to pay off your loan faster.
Get a Free Refinancing Assessment →
Commercial
September 10, 2025
Purchasing commercial property for your business is a significant decision that can provide stability and long-term value. Whether you're looking to buy office space, retail premises, or warehousing, understanding commercial property finance is essential.
Commercial vs. Residential Finance: Commercial loans differ substantially from residential mortgages. Interest rates are typically higher, terms are shorter (usually 5-10 years), and lending criteria are stricter. Lenders focus heavily on the business's profitability and cash flow.
Deposit Requirements: Commercial lenders typically require a 20-30% deposit. Your business financial statements, tax returns, and credit history significantly influence lending decisions.
Loan-to-Value Ratio: Lenders generally lend up to 70-80% of the property value for commercial properties. This conservative approach reflects the higher risks associated with commercial real estate.
Personal Guarantees: Most commercial lenders require personal guarantees from business owners, making you personally liable if the business cannot meet loan obligations.
Discuss Your Commercial Finance Options →
Keep checking back for more expert insights on finance, property investment, and building wealth
More expert insights on finance and property investment
More expert insights on finance and property investment
More expert insights on finance and property investment
Contact Chawla Finance today for a free consultation
Chawla Finance is a trusted mortgage broking business providing expert advice on home loans, commercial loans, SMSF loans, and asset finance. We work with 40+ lenders to find the best solution for your needs.
Email: amberfinloans@gmail.com
Phone: 0430 870 773
Service Areas: Australia Wide
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