Category : Finance

What Are Islamic Home Loans in Australia? A Complete Guide for Homebuyers

• Zophia Zoya
• January 22, 2025

You’ll know when you’re at the stage of adulting when your goal is to have something for yourself that you could never own when you’re younger. This is why even if their budget is still unstable, they would still want to achieve that thing on their bucket list. Seeking financial alternatives for people who want to have a home for themselves has increased nowadays, with locations and new opportunities bustling within the housing market. Good thing there are Hejaz Islamic home loans in Australia that do not only cater to Muslims but also to people who are looking for transparent financing free of any interest.

What Is an Islamic Home Loan?

An Islamic home loan is a financial product in compliance with the Sharia law. This means that these loans prohibit paying or receiving the riba, or what we commonly know as interest, and instead, use the following alternatives to ethical financing:

• The bank purchases the property on your behalf and sells it to you at a Murabaha or profit and lets you pay in installments, or
• Lease it to you, or Ijarah, and let you have the option to buy it outright at the end of the lease term.

Why Choose an Islamic Home Loan in Australia?

Initially, these home loans cater to specific people, but the community sees their potential because the values of Islam teachings intend to include everyone, even outside of religion, to provide a way to finance homes without the speculative practices of interest. And knowing the total cost upfront with no hidden charges can save you from unexpected surprises in the future, making this option a clear, viable alternative to traditional banking practices that favour the business instead of the people it serves.

Key Considerations When Opting for an Islamic Home Loan

Choosing an Islamic home loan involves careful thought, and here are some factors to keep in mind:

Availability of lenders. Because Islamic financing is still a niche market, these options may be a little limited compared to conventional loans. Sharia-compliant financial providers are the ones you can talk to for this financial service.

Property eligibility. Whether we like it or not, some lenders have a specific criterion of the type of property they will be financing, so before you finalise it, check if the property meets their requirements.

Comparative costs. Keep in mind to always ensure the affordability of the loan, so even if there are no interests on Islamic loans, there will be rental payments or profit margins that will be added on top of the original cost. 

Understanding contracts. Of course, before anything else, make sure you read and fully understand the Sharia-compliant financing.

A transparent and fair financing solution with the right budget is within reach because of Islamic house loans. Just remember to always do your research before you delve into this option and assess your eligibility and the valuation of the home you want to own. Make sure you understand the terms and go with your gut feel if needed.

Long-Term vs. Short-Term Secure Gold Storage: What’s Right for You?

• Zophia Zoya
• December 8, 2024

When it comes to storing gold and other valuable items, nothing comes close to the safeguarding that secure gold storage offers; your only concern here is whether or not you’ll avail it for the long-term or the short-term. Both options offer unique benefits, but at the same time, they’re also fit for different investment strategies. For today’s article, we’ll be listing down the pros and cons of these two options so you can make an informed decision on which one works better for you.

What is long-term secure gold storage?

As the name suggests, long-term secure gold storage is the best choice for people who are looking for a long-term investment, assuring them of a secure gold bullion vault. This method entails the storage of gold or other valuable items in a secure facility for a long time, which can range from years to decades.

What are the advantages of long-term storage?

They offer enhanced security. Long-term facilities offer advanced security systems like enhanced vaults and surveillance systems with strict access controls.

They preserve the value of your items. If you own gold and have it reserved in secure fold storage, it helps retain the item’s value over time, especially during times of economic uncertainty.

You have peace of mind knowing your valuables are secured. You can sleep well at night knowing your valuables are safeguarded in a secure facility.

Things to consider for long-term storage.

Be wary of the fees. Long-term storage often involves higher and ongoing fees, which can affect the overall return on investment.

It’s not as accessible. When accessing your gold or valuables, you may need to undergo strict protocols and procedures, as well as schedule an appointment. Banks have operating hours, so you’re limited to accessing your gold during those times only.

What is short-term gold storage?

In contrast to the aforementioned, short-term gold storage is ideal for people who need to store their gold and other valuables in a secure place. While waiting for an investment opportunity, they can have it stored there.

What are the advantages of short-term storage?

They offer flexibility. Because you’re only storing them for a little while, short-term storage often offers great flexibility, wherein you can access your valuables anytime.

They are convenient. Compared to its counterpart, this storage method also provides easy access and streamlined processes.

They’re cost-effective. Lastly, short-term gold storage is relatively cheaper compared to long-term storage.

Things to consider when it comes to short-term storage.

Even though there are a couple of great benefits when it comes to short-term storage, it also has a few limitations compared to its counterpart.

They have limited security. Although short-term storage also has security measures, theirs are not as high-end as long-term storage.

They also have potential risks. Aside from lesser security measures, there’s also the chance that you may expose your gold or valuables to theft or even lose it during transit.

Their insurance coverage varies. Similar to varying fees, it’s also crucial to check the insurance coverage provided by the bank to see if they also cover theft and loss.

Both storage options offer a lot of advantages for individuals; it just boils down to what your needs and preferences are.

What Does a Financial Advisor Do and How Can They Help You?

• Zophia Zoya
• November 28, 2024

Adulting is a pain. Do you have memories of your childhood and teenage years when life was just easy? Nothing to worry about except your homework and chores, plus saving up some money from your allowance to spoil yourself occasionally. It truly was the easiest part of life that we took for granted. Nowadays, you’ll be lucky if you have anything left from your salary after paying your bills, and this doesn’t even cover your other necessities like groceries and stuff. Not to mention, you also want to invest in your future and move out of your crappy apartment and find your own home and start the life you wanted. But how can you do that with the piling bills and financial obligations? Then I think it’s time to call in the professionals to help.

Financial advisors are trained professionals that can help you come up with strategies to better achieve your financial goals efficiently. They can help you with multitudes of issues such as taxation, responsible investments, retirement savings, loans, and even debts. Furthermore, their skills also allow them to give you the best advice when it comes to saving money. There’s a financial advisor in Melbourne that’s just one call away. But before that, let’s see what these professionals are capable of when dealing with your monetary woes.

Planning Your Retirement: Once you are nearing retirement, a lot of valid questions pop up in your mind, like, Will I have enough money to live comfortably? What about my family? Will they be financially stable even without me? Questions that will get under your skin. Luckily, with the right financial adviser, you don’t need to worry that much anymore. They can effectively plan your retirement so you can sit back and relax. They can make strategies for you to save money in case you want to travel the world. Or plan the finances that can go to your family like your grandchild’s education, or plan your estate when the time comes. 

Business Investments: in the world of business, investing is a scary concept; giving money to the wrong business can ruin you, probably even for life. That’s why it’s no wonder a lot of people are so scared of trying it. However, as scary as it may sound, the benefits outweigh the consequences; you just need to be smart. A financial adviser can analyse the atmosphere of the stock market and help you put your money in the best place possible for you to maximise your profits.

Planning Taxes: probably the most hated part of adult life, computing and planning your taxes is always a heavy burden. Make one wrong calculation, and you must pay a hefty fine. Fortunately, financial advisers are trained to handle such cases. They not only calculate your taxes for you but can also give advice on how to get more tax returns while reducing the costs of the taxes you must pay.

Is A Coworking Space Worth The Cost If You’re Already Working From Home?

• Zophia Zoya
• February 17, 2020

How amazing and enchanting is the idea of a coworking space, working altogether is a set up that has been made to exactly fulfil the needs that your work requires and with all those creative brains tuned to work like yours? Even with the increasing trend of co-working spaces and the number of such setups increasingly growing in almost all parts of the world, the question of whether or not these workspaces are costly and whether or not you need them if you work from home still stays unanswered. However, if compared, working from home is way better with all its advantages and very fewer drawbacks from investing in a coworking space.