Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our newest team member Jacqui Webb, managing lender of our new branch, Atherton Home Loans. Atherton Home Loans opened it's doors in April at 34 Main Street Atherton. If you're in the area please drop in and say hello to Jacqui, we'd also appreciate your feedback on our office.

Please remember during these tumultuous times in interest rates we are always here to discuss your needs surrounding your mortgages and your wealth aspirations.

In this issue we cover:

• How to use self-managed super funds for property investment
• The benefits of knowing how much your home is worth
• Going house-hunting with home loan pre-approval.

Borrow Through Super

Investing your superannuation in direct property could now be an option in your retirement strategy, thanks to recent changes to the laws governing self-managed superannuation funds.

The changes provide an opportunity for a self-managed super fund (SMSF) to borrow money to acquire a beneficial interest in an asset, i.e., property. Trustees can now set up their own private instalment warrant arrangements to borrow a portion of the property purchase price and combine this with their existing superannuation to make the property purchase.

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Know the Value of Your Home

Your home might be worth more than you think it is. That's the message from a recent survey of property owners, which revealed that many of us are unsure if our home has increased or decreased in value.

The MFAA/BankWest Home Finance Index revealed that NSW and Western Australian survey respondents were the least informed, with 22.2 % and 10.6 % respectively not knowing the value of their homes.

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Shop with Pre-Approval

You wouldn't go shopping without a credit card limit, so why go house hunting without being certain of how much you can afford to borrow?

Home loan pre-approval will stop you from falling in love with a property and then finding out it is financially out of reach. It gives you the ability to know your limit and the peace of mind to be able to put in an offer. Whether you are buying your first home, looking to upsize or hunting for an investment property, having a pre-approval in your hand will empower your bargaining position.

Read more >>

DISCLAIMER This newsletter is intended to provide general news and information only. Readers should rely on their own enquiries before making any decisions touching their own interests. Please do not rely on any part of this newsletter as a substitute for specific legal or financial advice. All material is copyright 2007. You can unsubscribe by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link in the left column above.