Do I really need financial advice?

As real-estate agents, this is a question we hear often:
“Do I really need financial advice?”

Many people think financial advice is only for the wealthy or those investing large sums, but financial advice is also about helping you avoid costly mistakes, make informed decisions, and protect your future.

Here are two real-life examples where advice would have saved sellers/clients thousands of dollars.

Client 1 sold an investment property and signed the contract on June 3, with settlement on July 8. They assumed the gain would be taxed in the 2025-26 financial year, which was after they had retired.

Unfortunately, capital gains tax is triggered on CONTRACT DATE, not settlement. As a result, they now face a tax bill of more than $120,000: an outcome that could have been significantly reduced with proper planning and timing.

Client 2 thought they were doing the right thing by adding more to their super fund, after selling an investment, but they unintentionally breached their non-concessional contribution cap, as they forgot about a previous contribution a couple of years ago. This creates a tax problem that could have been avoided.

Both of the above cases are timing and strategy issues, that most people don’t know to consider. Navigating financial decisions can be overwhelming, but advice can save you much more than it costs and give peace of mind.