Chipkie Australia

How Co-Signer Borrowing Capacity Destroys Your Property Investment Options in a $1M Market

May 24, 2026 by Max

Bottom Line: Acting as a guarantor or joint borrower for an institutional mortgage in a million-dollar real estate market triggers a hidden risk matrix that completely freezes the supporter’s credit flexibility. Under strict 2026 APRA serviceability mandates, commercial underwriters must assign 100% of the joint mortgage liability to each individual credit report rather than dividing … Read more

The Ultimate May 2026 Australian Federal Budget Guide: Property, Tax, and the Fourth Economy

May 23, 2026May 9, 2026 by Max

The Bottom Line This definitive May 2026 Australian Federal Budget guide details a monumental structural overhaul, locking in the abolition of negative gearing for established homes, a new 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts, and the replacement of the 50% CGT discount with indexation. For the Bank of Mum and Dad, the transition to Chalmers’ … Read more

ATO Private Wealth Audits: Protecting Family Loans in a $1M Market

May 9, 2026April 26, 2026 by Max

The Bottom Line: As capital city medians surpass $1M, the ATO has deployed sophisticated AI to cross-reference bank transfers with property settlement data in real-time. Without a formal Chipkie loan agreement, your family’s “handshake” deposit is now a high-risk trigger for ATO private wealth audits, potentially reclassifying tax-free capital as undeclared income. In May 2026, … Read more

Sibling Fairness Audit: Preventing Estate Wars in Australia’s $1M Market

April 19, 2026April 18, 2026 by Max

The Bottom Line: A Sibling Fairness Audit is the primary legal mechanism used by Australian parents to ensure that helping one child into a $1,014,401+ property market does not trigger future estate litigation. By documenting financial support as a formal “advance on inheritance” rather than a gift, families can maintain equity between siblings while complying … Read more

Buying Property with Friends: The 2026 Co-Ownership Survival Guide

April 8, 2026 by Max

In April 2026, Buying Property with Friends has transformed from a desperate “last resort” into a sophisticated financial strategy for thousands of Australians. With the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) holding the cash rate at a steady 4.10% and the median capital city home value now comfortably north of $1 million, the dream of solo … Read more

Multigenerational Living: Managing the Micro-Economy of Your Family Home

March 29, 2026 by Max

Multigenerational living is surging, with NAB reporting a 21% jump in renovation loans for granny flats and extensions this year. But while families are quick to share a roof, they are often slow to share the “fine print” of their daily expenses. In 2026, where insurance premiums have jumped by an average of $480 and … Read more

Family Loan Agreement: The 6-Year Expiry Date You Need to Know

March 29, 2026 by Max

As we hit late March 2026, the Australian property market is showing a strange divergence. While Sydney and A Family Loan Agreement is often the only thing standing between a generous parent and a massive financial loss. As we move through 2026, the Australian property market remains a high-stakes arena where the national median home … Read more

Funding a Renovation: Why Your Child’s Extension is a Legal Minefield

March 14, 2026 by Max

In 2026, the “Bank of Mum and Dad” has evolved. Instead of just helping with a deposit, many parents are now funding a renovation on their child’s existing property to create a multi-generational living space. Whether it’s a self-contained studio or a second-story extension, the goal is often to provide a home for the parents … Read more

The APRA DTI Limits Trap: How New Feb 2026 Lending Rules Affect Your Family Loan

February 28, 2026 by Max

As of 1 February 2026, the landscape for the “Bank of Mum and Dad” in Australia has shifted. Under new directives from the banking regulator, APRA DTI Limits are now strictly enforced across major lenders. This means that any loan where the total debt is more than six times the borrower’s annual income is now … Read more

Paying Off HECS Debt: Why It Should Be a Family Loan, Not a Gift

February 22, 2026 by Max

In 2026, the Australian government threw former students a lifeline with a 20% reduction on all HELP/HECS loans. While this provided immediate relief, a fundamental problem remains for young Australians: student debt is a massive anchor on mortgage borrowing capacity. When applying for a home loan, banks assess HECS debts harshly. A $30,000 student loan … Read more