Insights

Mortgage holders breathe a sigh of relief as RBA puts cash rate on hold

July 4, 2023

Phew! The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today decided to put the official cash rate on hold. So is the end of this rate hike cycle finally in sight? The decision to keep the official cash rate at 4.10% will be welcomed by homeowners around the country after monthly repayments increased by about $1,135…

Breaking out of mortgage prison: can easing serviceability buffers help?

June 29, 2023

Have you been keen to refinance but told you can’t? You’re not alone. Many Australian households are currently locked into their home loans due to rising interest rates. But some banks have recently started to lower their serviceability thresholds.  As interest rates have climbed, Australians have refinanced in unprecedented numbers. In fact, a record high of…

Homebuying intentions climb as Aussies untie themselves from rental crunch

June 22, 2023

Despite the soaring cost of living and successive interest rate hikes, homebuying intentions have climbed, latest data shows. So why are so many people still chasing the great Australian dream? And what can you do to make your own dream a reality? Despite a flurry of rate rises, new data this month shows homeownership is…

Mortgage serviceability: how to jump through the hoops

June 15, 2023

Mortgage serviceability can feel like a frustrating hurdle to clear. But it’s an important safeguard against borrowing too much, particularly in the current interest rate landscape.  It’s in the best interests of all parties involved if your mortgage is chugging along with regular repayments being made. Borrowing an amount you don’t have a hope in…

RBA attempts to beat back inflation with another rate hike, up to 4.10%

June 6, 2023

Drumroll … The RBA has hiked the official cash rate for the 12th time since April 2022, increasing it to 4.10%. How much will this increase your monthly repayments? And how long does Philip Lowe plan to keep marching to this beat? Another month, another 25 basis point cash rate rise. It’s now apparent the…

Why more Aussies are turning their backs on the McMansion

June 1, 2023

Australians are increasingly “thinking small” when it comes to buying a home and cracking the property market. And with perks like affordability, more desirable locations, and lower maintenance, it’s little wonder why. Many Australians are crossing the McMansion off their wish list in favour of smaller, smarter, low-maintenance homes. A recent ING study surveyed over 1000 Australians…

Is the property market starting to rebound?

May 25, 2023

Navigating the Australian property market over the past year has felt like standing on shifting sands. But is the market starting to regain stability? And if so, what can you do now to make sure you’re ready to buy? Anyone with an eye on the property and finance market over the past few years has…

Property valuation: what you need to know when buying a home

May 18, 2023

When buying property, it’s good to know the market value. After all, you want to know you’re paying a fair amount. But the property’s value is an important consideration for your lender too. And their valuation may be quite different. Just how much is a property worth? Well, it depends on who’s asking. When buying…

Heads up business owners: the asset write-off deadline is looming!

May 11, 2023

Business owners wanting to buy a vehicle, asset or important piece of equipment and immediately write off the full cost have just over a month to act. That’s because the temporary full expensing scheme is set to expire on 30 June 2023. It will be superseded by a much less generous scheme, known as the instant asset…

More home buyers set to benefit from low deposit, no LMI schemes

May 11, 2023

More Australians (and permanent residents!) will soon be eligible for a leg up into the property market under an expanded Home Guarantee Scheme. Today we’ll run you through all the upcoming changes to the low deposit, no lenders mortgage insurance scheme. Officially unveiled as part of the 2023 federal budget, the expanded Home Guarantee Scheme will have…

Homeowners brace as RBA raises cash rate to 3.85%

May 2, 2023

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the official cash rate for the 11th time in the past year, taking it to 3.85%. Have we finally reached the peak of this cycle? And how much will this latest rate hike increase your monthly repayments? In what will undoubtedly be tough news for many households…

Tips to help stay on top amidst the rate hike cycle

April 27, 2023

With every RBA rate rise announcement, mortgage holders brace themselves for impending repayment increases. Here’s how to stay on top of your mortgage and feel financially secure. Let’s face it, the RBA’s rate rise cycle hasn’t been easy for mortgage holders, with average monthly repayments now hundreds of dollars (and in some cases, thousands of…

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