In regards to the homeloan, the interest is deductible so long as you haven't redrawn any money off it for personal use. If you have used some of the money for personal use only a portion will be dedctible at best, or at worse none will be if you have done it umpteen times and it is now impossible to track the deposits and withdrawals (I made that mistake). If you have an offset account rather then a redraw facility you don't have any issues and it will all still be deductible.

FWIW - It may still be worth doing even without the deductibility...

In regards to the 'small town attitude', you don't have to be in a small town to experience that. I have been asked on numerous occasions if my boys are twins :rollseyes: there is 22mths between them. Yes the are both baldy boys, but one is a baby while the other is running around tearing up the place! And I get asked / told on a daily basis that I must have my hands full.