Ever felt like your house just doesn't fit your life anymore? In this episode of So You Know, Vincent Turner chats with UNO mortgage broker Nathalie Pelissier about what "upgrading" really means, and it's not always about buying bigger. They dig into the life changes that push people to reconsider their home, the overwhelm that comes with it, and how to avoid the common traps like relying on online calculators or jumping straight into open homes without knowing your numbers. Nathalie also breaks down bridging finance in plain English, shares what the smoothest upgraders do differently, and explains why a buyer's agent, financial planner, and good solicitor might be just as important as your broker. If you're weighing up a move, a reno, or just wondering "can I get more," this one's for you.

Reverse mortgages used to have a reputation problem. Vincent Turner sits down with veteran mortgage broker Tim, who's spent 38 years in the industry, to explain why that reputation no longer matches reality, and how the product actually works for Australians 55 and over today.

They break down how much you can actually borrow, why the loan doesn't require a single repayment, what happens to the balance over time, and the built in safeguards that mean you can never be evicted or end up owing more than your home is worth.

In this episode:

• What a reverse mortgage actually is, in plain English
• How lenders calculate your maximum borrowing limit based on age
• Why interest capitalizes instead of being repaid, and what that means long term
• What triggers repayment, whether that's selling, aged care, or passing away
• The most popular ways people use the funds, from renovations to a living inheritance
• The one mistake almost everyone needs to avoid

If you're 55 or over, helping a parent plan their retirement, or just curious how this product really works today, this episode gives you the full picture before you talk to anyone about a loan.

Book a call with a Reverse Mortgage Specialist UNO broker Tim Lesina → https://www.unohomeloans.com.au/tim-lesina---reverse-mortgages/reverse-mortgages

Australia just overhauled the rules for property investors, and if you're a Kiwi thinking about buying a home across the ditch, you need to know what actually applies to you. In this episode, Vincent Turner sits down with mortgage broker Paul Davey, who holds a degree in economics and specializes in helping New Zealanders navigate the Australian property market, to unpack the government's latest budget changes.

They break down the removal of negative gearing on existing homes, the tightening of capital gains tax concessions for investors, and the new ban on self managed super funds borrowing to buy residential property. More importantly, they explain why these changes target investors, not owner occupiers, and what that means if you're simply looking for a place to live.

You'll also hear why the media may be overstating how far the property slowdown has actually gone, what lessons New Zealand's own post COVID market correction offers Kiwis watching Australia right now, and how the NZD to AUD exchange rate should, and shouldn't, factor into your decision to move.

Whether you're actively house hunting in Australia or still weighing up the move, this episode gives you the context to make a considered decision instead of a rushed one.

Topics covered:

• What Australia's negative gearing and capital gains tax changes actually mean
• Why these changes affect investors, not everyday home buyers
• Whether Australia is heading toward its own New Zealand style correction
• How to think about timing, exchange rates, and risk as a Kiwi buyer

Most homeowners treat their mortgage as “set and forget” - and that mindset can quietly cost you tens, even hundreds, of thousands of dollars.

In this episode, Vincent Turner is joined by mortgage broker Jake de Ruyter to break down practical, real-world strategies to optimise your existing home loan without refinancing, buying another property, or taking on extra risk. They unpack loan structure, offsets, repayment frequency, smart credit card use, and small behavioural changes that can shave years off your loan and dramatically reduce interest.

If you already have a mortgage, or are about to get one, this episode is packed with broker-backed insights you don’t want to miss.

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Check out Jake's UNO profile and book a call with him via this link - https://www.unohomeloans.com.au/brokers/jake-deruyter-mortgage-broker

Serving in the ADF and thinking about buying a home? In this episode, Vincent Turner chats with Jake Wood from UNO Home Loans about the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS). They unpack who qualifies, how the subsidies work, which lenders are involved, and why it can make a huge difference for defence families planning their financial future.

Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme Explained

Thinking about buying a home while serving in the Australian Defence Force? In this episode of the UNO podcast, Vincent Turner sits down with Jake Wood, Principal Broker at UNO Home Loans, to unpack the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS). Jake shares his first-hand experience helping ADF members use the scheme to reduce their loan costs, what the tiers mean, and how it can change property strategies for defence families.

The Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) is an interest rate subsidy provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Instead of helping with a deposit like other government schemes, DHOAS reduces the interest paid on a home loan. Subsidy amounts depend on service time, with tiers starting at two years of permanent service or four years of reserve service.

For example, Tier 1 covers interest on up to $396,965 of a loan, equating to a subsidy of around $526 per month. Higher tiers, available after longer service periods, increase the amount of loan eligible for subsidisation.

For Defence members, housing affordability isn’t just about saving for a deposit — income assessment and long-term repayments can be big barriers. DHOAS tackles this by lowering ongoing interest costs, making home ownership more sustainable over the life of the loan. Used alongside other programs like the First Home Guarantee, it can mean entering the market with a 5% deposit and avoiding LMI while still getting long-term repayment support.

Eligibility requires:

• At least 2 years’ continuous permanent service or 4 years in the reserves.

• Applying directly through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

• Using one of the participating lenders: NAB, Defence Bank, or Australian Military Bank.

Applicants should also prepare standard home loan documents and work with a broker familiar with the scheme to streamline the process.

Common pitfalls include:

• Applying through lenders who don’t account properly for Defence pensions (DVA or CSC), which can reduce borrowing power.

• Misunderstanding subsidy tiers and how much of the loan balance is covered.

• Assuming the scheme applies to investment properties — it only covers owner-occupied homes.

Working with the right lender and broker helps avoid these traps.

DHOAS is designed for ADF members planning to buy and live in their own home. Couples where both partners serve can even combine subsidies for greater benefit. However, it won’t suit those focused on investment strategies or unwilling to work within the three participating lenders’ policies.

The Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme is a unique and generous program that can significantly reduce housing costs for service members. But like all government initiatives, the details matter — understanding tiers, eligibility, and lender restrictions is key. For anyone serving in the ADF, it’s well worth running the numbers with a broker who knows the scheme.

• DHOAS reduces interest costs on home loans, not deposits.

• Eligibility starts at 2 years permanent or 4 years reserve service.

• Subsidies begin at ~$526 per month on ~$396k of loan balance.

• Only NAB, Defence Bank, and Australian Military Bank support DHOAS.

• Best suited for ADF members buying owner-occupied homes.

Jake Wood can help you with:

• Understanding your eligibility for DHOAS and other schemes.

• Running the numbers to see how subsidies affect your repayments.

• Structuring your home loan with the right lender to maximise benefits.

👉🏼 Book a chat with Jake to explore your Defence home ownership options. Google 'Jake Wood Mortgage Broker'

Vincent Turner and Jake Wood discuss the intricacies of the Family Home Guarantee Scheme, designed to help single parents with minimal deposits enter or re-enter the property market.

Jake explains eligibility criteria, including income caps and legal requirements, and the importance of documentation. They explore the scheme's mechanics, emphasizing the need to be financially organized to secure a limited spot.

Learn about property price caps and navigating lender relationships in this insightful conversation about enhancing property opportunities for single parents in Australia.

Jesse Bullock, a principal broker at UNO, joins host Vincent Turner to discuss managing home loans and financial well-being.

They explore resetting your relationship with debt, starting from first-time homebuyers to dealing with complex financial situations like debt consolidation and business ownership.

Jesse emphasizes the importance of understanding personal budgets, setting long-term goals, and leveraging mortgage brokers for guidance.

Tune in to gain insights into achieving financial security and reducing stress while navigating Australia's real estate landscape with a focus on personalized planning and informed decision-making.

Vincent Turner and mortgage broker Scott Wilkinson explore the intricacies of low documentation (lo doc) lending in this episode from UNO Australia's podcast series, So You Know. They discuss how lo doc loans cater to self-employed individuals, offering alternative documentation to traditional financial records. With a focus on bridging business and personal financial goals, they emphasize the importance of aligning brokers and accountants for a tailored financial strategy. Discover how lo doc loans can open doors to property and business financing with an understanding of requirements and potential costs.