Insights
Property listings and prices are bouncing back
April 20, 2023
As property prices start to climb, listings are following suit. So if you’re hunting for a home, what does this mean for you? If you’ve been looking at the property market over the last six to 12 months, you probably already know that while property prices have dropped, it’s been a case of slim pickings…
What is the fixed-rate cliff and how can refinancing help?
April 13, 2023
You’ve probably heard the term “fixed-rate cliff” bandied about in finance news feeds. But what is it? And if you’re about to head over it, how can you prepare for a soft landing? A staggering 880,000 fixed-rate loans are set to end this year, and when they do, many Australian households will be facing significantly higher…
Mortgage holders granted a reprieve as RBA puts interest rates on hold
April 4, 2023
And … exhale. After 10 straight rate hikes the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today decided to put the official cash rate on hold. But for how long? The decision to keep the official cash rate at 3.60% will be welcomed by homeowners around the country after monthly repayments increased by about $1000 per…
Money habits that may raise lenders’ eyebrows
March 30, 2023
We all know being on our monetary best behaviour can help to land a home loan. But did you know there are common spending habits you may have that are red flags to lenders? Smart money management and cutting back on expenses can help your home loan application. That’s no secret. But a bit of…
Time to jump in? First home buyer deposit saving times plunge
March 23, 2023
Home loan headlines have been, let’s face it, a bit of a downer of late. But the good news is that first-home buyers are now reaching their 20% deposit goal faster. First home buyers have been delivered a bit of well-deserved good news with the findings of the 2023 Domain First Home Buyer Report. The analysis…
Got an eagle eye on house prices? Rate rises are only part of the story
March 16, 2023
Rate rises can affect the property market, as we’ve all seen of late. But there are other factors that appear to hold longer-term sway over national house prices. In a bid to bust inflation, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has been on a rate rise run that’s seen the official cash rate go from…
Homeowners feel the pinch as RBA lifts cash rate to 3.60%
March 7, 2023
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the official cash rate for a tenth straight meeting, taking it to 3.60%. How much will this rate hike increase your monthly mortgage repayments, and how many more rate rises are expected to come? The RBA’s latest move takes the cash rate to its highest level since May…
The latest twist in the tale of national property prices: explained
March 2, 2023
The property market has had more plot twists than a daytime soap opera in recent years. So getting the skinny on current trends is helpful when you’re planning to buy. Here’s the lowdown on the latest surprising bit of data. Despite all the media doom and gloom predicting that the Australian housing market would tank…
Take the heat off rate hike fears with these 4 tips for buyers
February 23, 2023
Have recent rate hikes made you nervous about taking the plunge into the property market? You’re not alone; it’s a buyer’s market for a reason. Here’s how to stay cool and calm when buying your next property. As you’ve probably seen in the news, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the official cash…
How to prepare for a fixed-rate mortgage cliff
February 16, 2023
Do you have a fixed-rate mortgage contract that’s coming to an end soon? It can be a stressful time, particularly with rate rise news dominating the headlines. So today we’ve got some tips for a smooth transition. Like many Australians, you may have taken advantage of the interest rate good times by locking in a…
RBA hikes the cash rate for the ninth time in a row, to 3.35%
February 7, 2023
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has kicked off 2023 by increasing the cash rate a further 25 basis points to 3.35%. How much will this rate hike increase your mortgage repayments in 2023, and how high is the cash rate expected to go? This is the ninth rate hike by the RBA in as…
Considering refinancing your mortgage? Here are some questions to ask
February 2, 2023
Home loan not up to scratch? Looking for a better rate? Or do you want to unlock equity? Then refinancing could be for you. But there are some important questions to ask first. If you’re considering refinancing your mortgage, you’re not alone. With the rising cost of living and interest rates hitting the hip pockets…