Interest-only (IO) loans for investment properties are one of the most misunderstood tools in Australian property finance. Used correctly, they maximise tax deductions and cash flow. Used incorrectly, they leave investors exposed at revert — when the loan converts to principal and interest (P&I) and repayments jump by 20-40%. GeeVee explains when IO loans make…Read More→
The First Home Guarantee (formerly First Home Loan Deposit Scheme) allows eligible first-home buyers to purchase a property with as little as 5% deposit — with the government guaranteeing 15% of the purchase price, removing the need for LMI. This saves buyers $15,000-$35,000 in lender’s mortgage insurance. Here is everything you need to know for…Read More→
The First Home Super Saver Scheme lets first-home buyers save up to $50,000 of their deposit inside their superannuation fund — taking advantage of the lower tax rates applied to super contributions. For a first-home buyer on $90k income, this can save $8,000-$12,000 in tax compared to saving outside super. Here is exactly how it…Read More→
A guarantor loan allows a parent or close family member to use their property equity to guarantee part of your home loan. This lets you borrow without a full deposit, avoid LMI, and enter the market sooner. GeeVee explains exactly how it works, the risks for guarantors, and whether it is right for your situation….Read More→
An offset account is a transaction account linked to your home loan. Every dollar in it reduces the principal on which interest is calculated. It is one of the most powerful — and most underutilised — tools in Australian property finance. GeeVee breaks down exactly how to maximise yours. How an Offset Account Works If…Read More→
St Kilda sits 6km south of the CBD on Port Phillip Bay. Median house price $1.95M, units $520k, studio apartments from $285k. GeeVee scores St Kilda at 7.2/10 — a suburb where yield is the headline story (studio apartments up to 6.2%) but management complexity and short-stay regulations require careful navigation. GeeVee Suburb Score: 7.2/10…Read More→
South Yarra sits 3km southeast of the CBD — one of Melbourne’s most walkable and lifestyle-driven suburbs. Median house price $2.15M, units $565k. GeeVee scores South Yarra at 7.6/10 — a two-speed suburb where unit investors find genuine yield (4.4%) while house buyers get lifestyle premium and solid growth (+5.8% YoY). GeeVee Suburb Score: 7.6/10…Read More→
Toorak is Australia’s most recognisable prestige suburb, sitting 5km southeast of the Melbourne CBD. Median house price $5.2M. GeeVee scores Toorak at 7.2/10 — a score that reflects the suburb’s exceptional wealth preservation credentials, world-class lifestyle, and institutional demand from high-net-worth buyers, offset by extreme entry cost, yield compression and very limited liquidity. GeeVee Suburb…Read More→
Malvern sits 8km southeast of the CBD on the Glenferrie Road corridor. Median house price $2.85M. GeeVee scores Malvern at 7.4/10 — Melbourne’s traditional prestige suburb, with Malvern Central, Glenferrie Road and some of the city’s most significant heritage housing stock. A wealth-preservation play for buyers with $2.5M+ and long time horizons. GeeVee Suburb Score:…Read More→
Glen Iris spans the inner-east and inner-southeast, sitting 8km from the CBD between Hawthorn and Malvern. Median house price $2.25M. GeeVee scores Glen Iris at 7.5/10 — a suburb that combines Camberwell Girls Grammar and Sacre Coeur school zone premiums with consistent capital growth and some of Melbourne’s tightest vacancy rates. GeeVee Suburb Score: 7.5/10…Read More→