How To Afford Housing

One of the biggest issues for Aussie families is the cost of housing. Whether you rent, own or are trying to own, the cost is prohibitive.

And if you can't get into a home, the caravan parks/campsites are full plus the cost has gone up for them too. Not to mention, the difference in lifestyle can make many things such as buying in bulk, cooking in bulk etc that could save money, impossible in that situation.

Mortgage Tips

Getting a mortgage these days is harder since you need a larger deposit and are locking yourself into a larger debt. Not to mention the fact house prices has slipped backwards a little and are expected to continue to do so. Read this article with tips to save for a house deposit.

NESTPATH - I cannot recommend this FREE site enough! It covers everything from calculators, grants you might be eligible for, hidden costs, everything you need to know as a first home buyer. We interviewed the founder here.

​How to achieve big financial goals​

​How to make your home pay your mortgage​

If you want to renovate, check out the books from Own Your Reno.

Renting

The rental market is ruthless and seems to be more about who you know, super high incomes and savings the equivalent of a house deposit to be able to secure a home.

Especially as more investors are looking to sell their properties due to recent changes.

So how do you stand out to secure a property? How do you keep the one you are in and still make it feel like home?

​Use these tips to create a great application. Be prepared, show up early, present as if it was a job interview (including an immaculate car). Be prepared to go to a lot of open homes and fill in numerous applications.

If you see people renovating or moving, it doesn't hurt to chat and find out a little bit. We know a few people who secured properties doing this.

Pay rent and water bills on time or ideally be 2 weeks ahead. Keep the property clean and well maintained. Hopefully, your landlord will be happy with you and won't be selling.

To make it feel like your home, there are changes you can make that either can be converted back easily or don't affect the property. If you change anything, either seek permission first or keep what they had so you can change it back. Some common examples include changing door handles to be updated or lockable inside. Hanging new curtains, gardening either in pots so you can move it or easy to remove items. There are various social accounts showing how people have updated the rental they live in but all of it can be changed back.

Hang solar fairy lights to create a magical backyard. Do what you can to make it your own without changing the actual property.

Other Housing Options

Share houses, camping, full time travel in vans and house sitting have all increased as the housing situation gets worse.

With share houses, never pay before seeing the property. Make sure you still have a proper contract in place and do checks on everyone.

Camping either in tents or caravans is another option. Some campgrounds let you get free or heavily discounted accommdation if you work a certain number of hours for them. There are also free campsites around.

Full time travel isn't for everyone due to the nature of most jobs but if you can get remote work, it is possible.

Housesitting isn't as easy if you have kids. For those without kids, there are a few sites you can get jobs through.

For all of the above options, many people use Facebook groups to find them. Be careful of scams, do not give out personal information, do not pay for anything and always meet in person.

Money Tips For Life

Housing is a large expense and there is a limit to how much you can make adjustments. Here are a few other money tips for life to help with your finances.

​25 ways to improve your money this year​

Keep an eye on your money and manage it better with WeMoney​

​How to survive on one income​

What I Am Reading

​Home Loan Hacks: The straight-forward guide to paying off your mortgage asap was published in July so has up to date information relevant to Aussies.

​How to Pay Your Mortgage Off in 10 Years: (Even when interest rates are going up) by Aussie, Serina Bird was published in 2023. She lives what she talks about and has done it.

​How to Get Mortgage Free Like Me: Real Aussies Reveal How They've Done It Faster, Smarter and Cheaper​

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