Property transactions involve big bucks – and that makes them a big target for scammers. With large sums of money at stake, we reveal what to look out for, and how to protect yourself from property settlement scams. Mention ‘scams’ and it’s easy to think of dodgy investment schemes or fake online stores that take your money and never deliver the goods. But scammers are getting smarter, and this Scams Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the dangers of property settlement scams.

While rising prices were the talk of the town not so long ago, the tide has started to turn, with property values beginning to soften – but it’s not all bad news for home owners. While we’re far from a market collapse, it’s only natural for home owners to be concerned that their valuable asset could be worth slightly less than it was a few months ago. In fact, national home prices are now 1.8% lower than they were in March, led by falling values in Sydney and Melbourne. Howev

Great news! Homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) keeping the cash rate on hold in August. But just because the cash rate is sitting tight, doesn’t mean you have to. As many as 49 different lenders are now offering variable interest rates starting with a 5, up from 38 at the start of June, according to Canstar. That’s a powerful incentive to check the rate you’re currently paying. If your home loan rate isn’t in the very low 6s or b