Finance

Buying a new home is a big financial move. Because of this, it can take years to get your finances in order so that you’re able to safely and smartly purchase your own home.

If you’re looking to buy a home in the near future, here are three ways you can prepare your finances before you start applying for home loans.

Solidify Your Budget

Before you can start making any real progress toward preparing your finances for buying a home, you first need to have a clear picture of what your financial goals or limitations are. To find this out, you’ll want to solidify your budget.

When working out your budget, Lauren Bowling, a contributor to House Logic, shares that you should see how much you can afford to pay for your monthly mortgage. You can use a home loan calculator to help you find accurate numbers for this.

In addition to budgeting for your home once you’ve bought it, you also need to solidify your current budget in a way that can help you meet your future goals. This might mean cutting down on some of your expenses or finding new ways to bring in more money until you’re able to afford the type of home you want to buy. Alternatively, you can check out this website for hard money lenders Los Angeles for more details which might be able to assist you.

Improve Your Credit Score

When you take out a home loan, you’ll wind up paying quite a bit of interest over the lifetime of that loan. Because of this, you want to do everything you can to get a competitive interest rate on that loan. If this helps, you can also turn in to bridge loans for an alternative option to help you with your finances.

One way to ensure that you get an acceptable APR, according to Katie Ross, a contributor to ConsumerCredit.com, is to check your credit report to see if there are any mistakes or discrepancies. If you don’t find anything that you need to address, you should then focus your efforts on paying down your debts by getting in your monthly payments on time and over the minimum amount required.

Boost Your Savings

As you start to pay down your debt and have less debt to handle, you should then be able to allocate more money toward saving for a down payment.

According to Miriam Caldwell, a contributor to The Balance, you should try to save as much as you possibly can for your down payment. The larger your down payment is, the more of a home you’ll be able to afford. Also, if you have a larger down payment and require a smaller home loan, you may also be able to qualify for a better interest rate on your loan as well.

If you’re going to be applying for a home loan in the near future, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare your finances for this event.

 

Since Alpari started rendering services in South Africa, local clients have had the opportunity to earn profits by trading currencies on the global market. The software supplied by the broker gives access to trading, and it comes in two versions – MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Read on for tips on how to download MT4 trading platform and key aspects every trader ought to know.

Main Benefits of the Platform

MT4 remains the most popular software for Forex trading today. It has a cutting-edge interface, which allows effortless navigation. Upon installation, a trader gains access to such visual aids as:

• Indicators that may be customized;
• Quotes in the Live mode;
• 1-Click-Trading;
• Range of Time Frames;
• Unlimited Charts.

The platform supports not only multiple currencies but also multiple languages, as Alpari MT4 Broker in South Africa is a truly international brand present in many countries. In a nutshell, it gives access to all major tools a trader needs, including the opportunity to trade company stocks and commodities.

Installation on Windows and Mac

Whichever OS you use in South Africa, the setup poses no problems. In both cases, you begin by downloading the necessary file from the provider’s website and running it using the wizard.

With Mac, however, you have to follow the standard procedure for any non-App Store app. This means opening the installation file, followed by dragging and dropping into the app’s directory. The platform is also optimized for portable devices. Hence, you can find versions of it on both the Google Play Store and App Store for the iPhone.

Signing In and Logging Out

Whether the program prompts you to put in your login information or not, this is the first mandatory step upon the initial run. Unless prompted, you may open the ‘File’ tab with the ‘Login to Trade Account’ option. The details you type in could be those of your demo or actual trading account.

Since there is no logout button, you may ensure the software does not save your credentials by adjusting the settings. The ‘Save Account Information’ box must be left unchecked, which causes logout upon closing of the program.

Trading Currency Pairs

To open any trade, head to the ‘Order’ window, which allows instant order placement. Pick the necessary pair via the top ‘Window’ tab, followed by ‘New Window’ and ‘New Order’ on the toolbar.

The window contains all the information you need: the pair, the volume (in lots), the Stop Loss and Take Profit values, type of trade, as well as graphs displaying recent changes in Bid and Ask prices. Alternatively, you may open an ‘Order’ window using F9.

If you want the trade to be executed immediately, you need to specify the ‘Market Execution’ type. In other cases, you may go for a limit or stop order. This ensures that the execution occurs at a certain pre-set level that differs from the current price on the currency market. If you need a short position, the procedure is simple. Just place a corresponding sell trade to open.

Exiting a Trade

This task is no rocket science, either. Head to the ‘Trade’ tab located in the ‘Terminal’ window (the latter may be summoned with CTRL+T). All the current open trades are shown in the ‘Trade’ part. By right-clicking on any order, you may finalize it via the ‘Close Order’ option. In the case of multiple active trades, this manual approach is best, as it allows you to deal with an individual position. Alternatively, you can use a stop or limit order.

Placing a Limit Order

To open or exit a trade this way, use the ‘Take Profit’ field in the ‘Order” window and specify your desired price level. If you are opening a position, remember to choose ‘Pending Order’ as position type. This will open a drop-down menu with two options: ‘Buy Limit’ and ‘Sell Limit’.

These are some of the most useful features included in the platform package. MT4 offers many other money-making operations. This finance software is indispensable for anyone interested in making a profit on foreign currency exchange.

If you have debt, you likely want to pay it off as quickly as possible. No one wants debt looming over their heads for too long! Luckily, there are a few ways to pay off your debt easily and fast so you can move forward financially. Follow these tips below and learn how!

Make a Budget

The first step toward paying off your debt is breaking down your monthly budget and seeing where you can save money. Look for places in your spending where you can cut back in order to have extra cash on hand to pay down your debt. While you can simply write down your spending, assess your bank statement or go over your credit card purchase by hand, you can also find lots of apps and tools to help you, making it even easier to reduce you’re spending.

Check Your Interest Rates

If you have various debt accounts, you should check the terms and conditions of each account and see which one needs the most attention. If one debt account has a very high-interest rate, you should focus on paying this one off first in order to avoid paying lots of money in interest. While you are going over the terms of each debt account, make sure you understand how your payments and fees work. You never want to miss a payment on an account that will charge you excessive fees or you will have that debt for a long time!

Consolidate Your Debt

It can be hard to keep track of multiple debt accounts. If you have several credit cards, student loans, car payments and maybe even a mortgage to keep track of, you may easily forget to pay something. Miss a payment and you may be hit with a rather high late fee. Instead, keeping track of all different types of debt and payment schedules, consider consolidating your debt into one personal loan.

Take out personal loans with your preferred lender, applying for enough to pay off all your current debt. Then, pay your credit cards, car payment and any other debt you have in full. Now, you will only have to be sure to pay your one personal loan every month! Not only is this so much simpler, but it can also save you a lot of money in the long run, by lowering your interest rates and keeping you on an easy payment schedule.

Pay a Little More

Once you have consolidated your debt, making it easy to manage and giving you a lower rate, take a look at your new monthly minimum payment in comparison with your budget. Can you afford to pay a little more each month? If so, do it! Paying more than the minimum payment will add up quickly, helping you pay off your debt fast and easily. You likely can afford to pay an extra $25 each month and by the end of the year, you will have paid $300 extra! This is one of the fastest ways to make a dent in those lingering debts.

Use these tricks and you will quickly pay off your debt. None of them are hard to do, you just need to make a plan, and stay focused and pay on time. Your future is definitely debt-free.

You don’t usually find the words ‘Sydney’ ‘bargain and ‘property’ together in a sentence. Unless the sentence was something like: “You will never find a bargain property in Sydney.” The meteoric rise of Sydney’s property prices was felt all around the world.

For over a decade, prices rose at an unprecedented rate, making instant millionaires out of lucky existing homeowners while killing the dream of homeownership for most. For the average working Australian, owning a piece of our beautiful harbor city was simply unobtainable.

Until now.

The last year has seen most Sydney’s suburbs settle and fall back to reasonable levels. Now is the perfect time to enter into this formidable and fabulous market. While some suburbs continue to rise in value, many previously high performers have dipped considerably, presenting a unique opportunity to the first home buyer or investor.

Talk to a local lender like NPBS about a fantastic rate on a home loan; for very little money you could own your dream home in your dream location in Sydney. Most suburbs have dropped over %10 percent in price in the last year, but some have fallen even further, so where are the best bargain properties in Sydney?

Glebe.

An inner west favorite, Glebe is a cultural haven full of cafes and unique craft stores. Just a short stroll to Broadway shopping center and a twenty-minute walk from Sydney’s CBD, glebe is the quintessential inner-city ‘burb.

2018 Average house price: $1863480

2019 Average house price: $1590000

Redfern.

One of the most storied suburbs in Sydney, Redfern, is dynamic and colorful, snuggled in the heart of our great city. Over the past decade Redfern has seen extensive gentrification, sadly pushing out many long-term residents to make way for cashed-up investors. Happily, Redfern fought back and has retained its unique and powerful charm.

For under 1.5 million dollars, this is a rare opportunity to own real estate in the heart of Sydney. A short walk from the CBD, Redfern represents supreme value.

2018 Average house price: $1618848

2019 Average house price: $1386000

Epping.

A suburb on the rise, without the rising price tag. Epping is conveniently located, with its train station acting as a local hub. One of the most affordable suburbs this side of western Sydney, with a strong Chinese presence. First home buyers would do well to add Epping to their list of suburbs to watch.

2018 Average house price: $1705200

2019 Average house price: $1450000

Gladesville.

Proudly positioned on Sydney’s lower north shore, Gladesville is a leafy riverfront suburb. The mighty paramatta river affords beautiful views and recreation, while Gladesville’s historic, heritage-listed buildings radiate permanence. Home to the Gladesville Bridge, an iconic structure that links Sydney’s inner west to its north shore, Gladesville is a connoisseur’s choice of suburb.

Gladesville has also seen the sharpest fall in prices, its time to contact your lender and invest in a historic part of Sydney.

2018 Average house price: $2017800

2019 Average house price: $1710000

North Bondi

Excuse me? North Bondi included in Sydney’s best bargain suburbs? Yep, much to the chagrin of investors who bought in five years ago. Bondi Beach is famous worldwide and is one of Australia’s hottest tourist destinations. North Bondi is one of the most sought-after locations in Sydney, with countless heritage listed sites and a beach lifestyle to die for.

At over 2.5 million dollars for the average home, North Bondi might not seem like a hot bargain, but when you consider that just a year ago that figure was close to 3 million, a house near Sydney’s favorite beach seems almost affordable.

2018 Average house price: $2948412

2019 Average house price: $2533000

North Rocks

Back in bushranger times, North Rocks was an unsavory hang out for thieves looking for an easy target. Nowadays, its an industrious suburb surrounded by the natural beauty of the Hills district. Minutes away from the M2 corridor, North Rocks is a conveniently located suburb with some very attractively priced properties.

2018 Average house price: $1238880

2019 Average house price: $1068000

Dee Why

Another beachside gem. Dee Why is a popular spot for not only beach goers, but diners too, with a trendy strip of restaurants and eateries nestled on the shore of the beach. Living in Dee Why grants easy access to not only Dee Why beach, but a whole host of fantastic beaches.

2018 Average house price: $1645645

2019 Average house price: $1415000

Suburbs on the rise

I have compiled a list of suburbs that have fallen in value, presenting a great opportunity for those who were previously priced out of their chosen suburb. Buying in now while the prices are down is smart, but what about those suburbs that continue to rise in value? Surely there is some merit in investing in a trend that continues to rise?

Perhaps there is, there is no sign of these suburbs slowing down, meaning the best time to buy is now. Let’s have a look at two suburbs that keep bucking the trends.

Mosman

The beautiful harbourside suburb of Mosman is a well-known hotspot for the wealthy elite. Stunning homes with stunning views of the stunning city, it’s all so, stunning. Let’s continue getting stunned by the price of an average home in Mosman, and how this has only risen in the last year.

2018 Average house price: $3513250

2019 Average house price: $3737500

Bellevue Hill

More like a gated community for the wealthy string pullers than an actual suburb, Bellevue Hill has always been priced well out of the realm of an ordinary person. Is it really such a surprise that in 2019 average house prices continue to rise?

2018 Average house price: $5358000

2019 Average house price: $5700000

Sydney has long been an expensive city to live in. Housing affordability has been at the forefront of conversation for many years, and it seems that finally, we are seeing some relief. While some suburbs remain the realm of the rich, in 2019 we are finally getting our city back.

Saving money is often a matter of making it a priority. However, despite how much people may want to make room in their budget for things they’d like to buy, saving money may not come naturally to them.

All of the details that go into finance can be overwhelming. Therefore, it’s easy to give up altogether. However, saving money can be easier than you think. It all comes down to making small, consistent efforts to cut your spending back.

With enough practice, the art of saving will come naturally to you. Here are some of the best saving tips to get you started.

Buy Used

Rather than going out and buying the latest shiniest model of something, consider buying used. Whether it’s clothing or appliances, you can find items that are practically new for a fraction of the cost if you’re willing to look for them.

Buying used may involve a little more risk; however, if you buy your goods online, there are many sites that offer a buyer guarantee. As a result, you’ll feel less uneasy about taking a risk.

Use Coupons

Coupons are a popular way of saving money on purchases. It does involve some time commitment searching for them and using them before their expiration date arrives.

There are all ways to find coupons from signing up for promotional emails, to receiving newsletters, to looking at sites like Groupon. There are even apps available now specifically made for coupon hunting.

Shop Around

Instead of settling for the first price that you find, you should compare prices with several different stores and websites. By looking at several different options, you can find the best possible price for the best product.

Websites like Amazon also provide client reviews of verified purchases. That way, you know if you’re buying a quality product or not.

Take Advantage Of Reward Points

There’s nothing like a good rewards program to save money. Certain stores and credit cards allow you to accumulate points. In return for the points, you get back reductions or even cashback. If you tend to always shop at the same stores, you should inquire whether they have a rewards program or loyalty card.

Avoid Your Spending Triggers

Many people aren’t able to save as much money as they’d like because they can’t stop spending. One of the best ways to cut back your bad spending habits and reduce impulse purchases is to avoid exposing yourself to your common triggers.

If there’s a store you pass on your way home from work that you like to spend money at, try to take a different route. If you can’t resist a sale on your favorite online store, then unsubscribe from newsletters!

 

Tyler Tysdal has spent his life in the world of business investment, he is a fund manager currently but throughout his career he has been an investor as well as someone who manages investments. IT is for this reason that we caught up with Tyler to ask him about some of the most common questions which we get here, mainly around private equity. Now let us best answer those common questions which you guys ahem been sending us, with Tyler at the helm.

What is Private Equity?

Private equity is an investment vehicle which sees large funds invest capital in a business which needs help. These established businesses may be looking for capital so that it can seek growth and an expansion, or they may be in difficulties and that is why they are trying to raise capital. Private equity investment companies both inject this capital and impact opportunities using their experience and their business knowledge.

Why Can’t Companies Borrow Money?

A well established company which needs money could certainly borrow money from a bank or sell shares to raise funds, but the money is not only what they are looking for. These businesses also want someone to support them in their efforts and this is why they will usually place someone from the investment team on their board.

Is This the Same As Venture Capital?

There is a common misconception that private equity is the same venture capital but there are some key differences between the two. The main difference is that venture capital is the backing which is given to a young company like a start-up, rather than investing in an already established business. There is bigger risk involved in venture capital and the percentage which the investment can yield is much smaller than when investing in a business which is established.

What Is The End Game?

Most private equity firms will look to inject cash in a business and help to run it, playing a key role in the decision making process. The end game for these investment companies is to eventually sell their share in the company for a profit, which will then be shared amongst the other investors. Occasionally a private equity company may wish to to buy out a division of a company 100%, especially if it isn’t working for the business, but generally the end game is to get in, improve and then get out for a profit.

Where Does The Money Come From?

Most of the money from private equity firms comes form high wealth individuals but in the main the cash coms from savings accounts and pension funds from the likes of teachers, police and fire fighters. These high volume funds make the perfect source of cash for these private equity firms and the low risk strategy is why they are able to use it, because they almost always help that fund to grow.