Sustainable investing isn’t new and is becoming more mainstream. From climate change to gender diversity, more people are aligning their money with their values. In 2021, Australia’s sustainable investment market increased 20% to a record $1.5 trillion. The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) 2022 benchmark report found sustainable investments represent 43 per cent of total professionally-managed funds….
A good estate plan will help make sure your wishes are carried out when you die. It can also help if you become unable to make your own decisions. Estate plans An estate plan records what you want done with your assets after your death. It can include documents such as: your will a testamentary…
With interest rates on the rise and investment returns increasingly volatile, Australians with cash to spare may be wondering how to make the most of it. If you have a mortgage, should you make extra repayments or would you be better off in the long run boosting your super? The answer is, it depends. Your…
Rising interest rates are almost always portrayed as bad news, by the media and by politicians of all persuasions. But a rise in rates cuts both ways. Higher interest rates are a worry for people with home loans and borrowers generally. But they are good news for older Australians who depend on income from bank…
Downsizing the family home is often part of the longer-term financial plans for many older Australians. But did you know that you could consider investing the proceeds of the sale of your family home to your super – depending on your age and circumstances – as a downsizer contribution? What is a downsizer contribution? If…
According to CoreLogic, house prices in Australian capital cities declined by 0.5% in August, their fourth fall in a row and a record that stands in stark contrast to their steady gains between June last year and April. Average prices have now fallen 2.5% since that peak; however, the pace of decline has slowed in…
When you’re looking at properties it’s hard not to pick features you love. A great view. Beautiful leafy garden and pool. Moments from the beach. But purchasing an investment property is very different from purchasing your own home. You have to leave the ‘dream home’ thinking behind and start thinking in numbers, probabilities and what…
Integra Financial Services director and financial adviser Deborah Kent appears on Secrets of the Money Masters with soccer star Kyah Simon. In this chat, she discusses what some Australians might not know about property investing. Do you think there’s a general preference for investing in property in Australia? Yes, definitely. Investment properties seem to be the thing…
