Empower Blog Finance

RBA Cash Rate – February 2020

On this first Tuesday of February as part of the new 2020s, the new decade, the RBA had a tough decision to make today. They had some really positive economic data flowing through from the end of 2019 that consisted of a really good unemployment story. It also said that retail spending had at a bounce in November, so that was positive. Ultimatel...

Watch Video

RBA Cash Rate – December 2019

Today Governor Lowe and the reserve board met for the final time in 2019 and they kept the cash rate on hold at 0.75%. Now, in 2019 we saw three rate cuts. And for all of those people who love the data, what's interesting about that is between August 2016 and May 2019 — 34 months — the cash rate was on a hold at 1.5%. So they've definitely tri...

Watch Video

What to Do When the Banks Say “No”

Been rejected by the bank? Need loan approval? Ben and Bryce 5-page feature in Your Investment Property Magazine is as very timely and yet timeless insight into what the banks REALLY look for when assessing your loan.   DOWNLOAD FULL ARTICLE HERE       This article features... Why the lending environment i...

Read More

5 Golden Tips for getting Finance in this Changing Landscape

Today I want to talk to you about some tips on getting finance in the current environment because we know that the landscape has changed with APRA intervening 12 – 18 months ago to try and take some heat out of the property market. But it's still a very good time to be playing the long game and buying really great properties in the marketplace...

Watch Video

Equity: The Power Within

What’s the power within your own home? Equity! As Bryce explains in Money Magazine’s Special Edition issue, using the equity in your existing property allows you to invest without chipping into your own savings and takes the time spent saving for a deposit. Basically, after you release the equity, you can use it to purchase an investment pro...

Read More

Will You Remain Confident In A Changing Market?

I want to talk about confidence in a changing market. Now we've been very blessed to see property prices has grown significantly over the last several years with low-interest rates and a reasonably OK economy in terms of jobs. But we are going to see that potentially change. We are already seeing the regulators and the banks starting to see the ...

Watch Video

Interest Rates 2017: What Investors Need To Know

Ben appeared in Your Investment Property Magazine this April and, as it turns out, there's a whole lot he wants to tell investors about interest rates 2017. Let's face it: interest rates matter. When it comes to your lending capacity and structure, they can make or break how (and when) you invest. Your cash flow can really dive or soar too ... a...

Read More

How well protected is your business?

If you’re like many business owners you have already insured the physical assets of your business from theft, fire and damage. But have you considered the importance of insuring yourself - and other key people in your business - against the possibility of death, disability and illness. Not being adequately insured can be a very risky oversight, a...

Read More

Counting the cost of a curve ball

Here’s a confronting question: what would you do if the main breadwinner in your household could no longer bring in an income? Do you have a Plan B? Most people don’t. That’s where insurance comes in. Curve balls. They’re unexpected, often deceptive and it’s impossible to predict their trajectory. That’s why they’re so devastating ...

Read More

Is an SMSF right for you?

Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are the largest and fastest growing super sector in Australia and for many good reasons. But before you start an SMSF, it’s important to weigh up both the advantages and disadvantages and consider seeking advice to determine whether an SMSF is right for you. The advantages SMSFs can offer a number of features ...

Read More

So you’ve bought the property… What’s Next? (Part 1)

What I find is when people are buying an investment property, they use a lot of mental fuel in the decision to actually, will I or won't I buy one. And I kind of think of it like.. Do you know when a plane is on the tarmac and it's just about to take off. That moment when it leaves the tarmac and gets up to say 30,000 feet before it levels off. Tha...

Watch Video

Home Sweet Home

The prospect of buying a first home in today's market can be daunting - especially given high prices and competition for desirable properties. In this issue of Bride to Be Magazine, Ben Kingsley was asked to provide his opinions on what to consider before starting your search. Here's a snippet of the article: "It's no secret that homes are more ...

Read More

Things to Do Before Buying a Home

There are few things more thrilling than buying a home of your own for the very first time. Having a decent savings or down payment on the home is just a small part of the process. Make sure you have all of your bases covered and a solid idea of what to expect during your journey of becoming a proud homeowner. So just what should you know about how...

Read More