Every year we see the market heat up around October and November. Buyers want to be in their new home by Christmas and sellers want to relax over the Christmas break with their property sold and maybe some extra cash in the bank.

After a few weeks of minimal activity, buyer interest suddenly picks up - often lead by those who are moving to a new location for work. Then the race is on to purchase a new house and settle in for the new school year.

With interest rates at an all time low, many banks are offering up great mortgage rate deals for property owners and buyers.

But sometimes owners and buyers can be caught unawares by cheap advertised rates that aren’t actually suited to their situation.

There are a number of things you need to consider when securing a home loan rate or refinancing.

A lot of media attention over the past few weeks has focused on Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley after it was alleged she used taxpayer funded flights to the Gold Coast to purchase an investment property. Ley has since resigned from her position.

What hasn’t received much attention are the details of the property she purchased. Ley paid $795,000 for a two-bedroom unit in a high-rise apartment block in Main Beach (just north of Surfers Paradise).

Many investors start out with the best of intentions and great enthusiasm but don’t manage to get past the stage of adding just one or two investment properties to their portfolio.

How many times have you glanced at an advertised property and not given it a second look thanks to its ‘ugly’ exterior? Have you ever stopped to consider the possible opportunity you’re passing up?

Many people wonder what is the secret to getting out of debt – but really there is no secret – you just need commitment and a plan of action.

Many people are under the impression that all debt is bad debt but that's simply not the case.