Columnist Peter Boehm

With the worst of the global crisis seemingly over, house prices on the rise and the end of the first home owners grant about to level the playing field, now seems like a good time to review the idea of property investment. Buying a home to live in

In my column Broking on a good mortgage , we looked at the pros and cons of using a mortgage broker to get a home loan. This week, I'd like to examine the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative approach - that is, going straight to a

With thousands of home loans to choose from, selecting the best one is a daunting task. The cost of each loan is obviously a crucial consideration - but with so many loans and loan structures on the market, how can we compare them? One answer,

In my last column , I gave some tips on making yourself more attractive to a home lender. In response, a number of readers raised the question of using a mortgage broker instead of going straight to a bank. This week, I'd like to outline what the

When you're on that first romantic date, you want to make a good first impression. From your clothes to your hair and your opening line, a little planning and preparation can go a long way. The same applies when you meet your home lender. With