Blog
Bank of Mum and Dad stumps up $40,000
They say there’s nothing quite like a parent’s love. Well, perhaps except for a parent’s love plus an extra $40,000 to help buy your first home. Today we’ll look at…
What are the chances of another rate cut this year?
The Reserve Bank has the cash rate in a holding pattern, and several of the big banks have scaled back their predictions of another cash rate cut in 2025. Here’s…
Separating? Understand your home loan options
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are making headlines, having reportedly called time on their 19-year marriage. If you’re also facing a relationship break-up, it’s important to know where you stand…
99% of brokers have helped their clients secure a lower rate
Switching to a new home loan might sound like a hassle. But new research shows brokers don’t just make refinancing easier, they can also help home owners secure a lower…
Countdown to be in your new home by Christmas
The clock is ticking towards the festive season, and home buyers still have a small window of opportunity to be settled in their new place by Christmas Day. The good…
Jump into the market up to 4 years sooner with 5% deposit scheme
If you’re like most first home buyers, you’ve probably realised by now that saving up for a 20% deposit can be a real slog. But what if we told you…
5 steps to help you find a competitive edge this home-buying season
Spring is traditionally the peak season for property, and three rate cuts this year could further fuel buyer competition. Check out five steps that can give you a valuable head…
5% deposit scheme expands early – will it increase house prices?
The popular Home Guarantee Scheme that lets first home buyers get into the market with just a 5% deposit has been expanded sooner than expected. But an unexpected twist means…
Surge in switching: 1,000 home loans refinanced every day
Three rate cuts since February have spurred home owners to take a closer look at their home loan. Turns out plenty have found a loan better suited to their needs…
Third rate cut delivered this year as RBA trims cash rate to 3.60%
Borrowers around the country have been delivered a sunnier financial outlook this month after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today trimmed the cash rate by another 25 basis points…
Skipping pre-approval sees 1-in-10 first home buyers miss out
Buying a first home isn’t always easy, and first-timers sometimes miss out on a place they’ve set their heart on. But more than one-in-ten first-time buyers have missed out simply…
How your home can help your kids get a great education
Location, location, location. Or should we say: education, education, education. New research shows homes in the catchment areas of sought-after public schools can command six-figure price premiums. Here’s why. Your…
Newly built homes notch up strongest sales in 3 years
There’s a lot to love about buying a brand new home, and sales of recently constructed homes have increased 19% over the last quarter. We look at the pros and…
Has your borrowing power increased in 2025?
If you haven’t checked your borrowing power recently, it might be worth another look. A lot has happened in 2025, and your borrowing capacity could be higher than you realise.…
Two-thirds of borrowers could save by refinancing: report
Home owners hoping for rate relief in July may be disappointed, but it’s still possible to score a rate cut of your own by refinancing. Despite this, plenty of borrowers…
Small deposit? 50,000 Home Guarantee Scheme spots just opened up
Growing a 20% deposit isn’t just challenging. It can be a (very) long slog. Fortunately, 50,000 new places in the popular 5% deposit Home Guarantee Scheme just opened up on…
How to make an offer on a home
Finding the property that’s right for you and your budget is an exciting milestone! But what happens next? We explain how to make an offer and seal the deal. Most…
Welcome back! Home lending jumps as first home buyers return
Here’s some warming news for winter – first home buyers are making a welcome return to the property market. Several factors suggest the stars may have aligned to make now…
Australian home price average tops $1 million
Property values nationally have passed a major milestone with the average home price pushing through the $1 million mark for the first time ever. Have you been putting off buying?…
How you could boost your home’s value by $118,000 (and save on bills)
With winter temps falling, chances are your power bills will rise. This helps explain why buyers are willing to pay 14% extra for energy-efficient homes on average. Here’s how to…
Plot twist: home owners keep repayments on hold as rates fall
Despite two much-awaited rate cuts this year, plenty of Australian households are keeping their mortgage repayments on hold – and it could see them save in long-term interest costs. 2025…
RBA cuts the cash rate for the second time this year to 3.85%
Australian borrowers have received another reprieve with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today cutting the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%. How much could this decrease your…
Fact or fiction: do property values double every 10 years?
It’s a common belief that real estate values double every decade. But is this true? New research reveals how much home values have increased over the past ten years. It’s…
Albo re-elected: what’s on the board for home buyers and owners?
The votes have been cast and it’s clear Labor will hold the reins of federal government for another 3-year term. We look at what this may mean for first home…
Myth buster: do weekly repayments pay off an offset loan faster?
There’s a common misconception around offset account home loans that making loan repayments more frequently helps to pay off the balance much sooner. We bust that myth and reveal the…
Could US tariffs be good news for Aussie home owners?
Tariff-triggered cuts to interest rates could be just around the corner, with Australian borrowers the likely winners if they come to fruition. US trade policies have hit media headlines this…
Election 2025: what’s on offer for first home buyers?
Australians will head to the polls on May 3, and with housing affordability shaping up as a key election issue, we unpack how the two major parties are pledging to…
Home owners notch up gains of $230,000 in just 5 years
Did you know that the average home owner saw their property’s value rise $46,000 per year over the past five years? Today we’ll look at ways you could put that…
Why 1-in-2 families are thinking of refinancing
The RBA may have swiped left on an April rate cut, but plenty of home owners are taking matters into their own hands by refinancing to save on interest with…
Sounds of silence: how traffic noise can impact property values
‘Close to public transport’ is often touted as a plus for home buyers. But new research shows just how much close proximity to a busy road, railway or flight path…
5 fun (and budget-friendly) ideas for an Easter staycation
This Easter offers more than chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. It brings a rare mega-holiday, and if your budget doesn’t stretch to a trip away, check out our tips…
Low cost renos to help keep your home cosy this autumn
It’s been a long, hot summer, but the seasons are shifting and it’s time to prepare for the cooler months ahead. A few simple improvements could help keep your home…
Was that the shortest property downturn ever?
The so-called market ‘downturn’ we saw over the last few months was a blink-and-you-miss-it affair. Home prices are once again on the up. We unpack what’s happening – and why…
Major change coming to mortgage rules for university grads
Good news for the three million Australians who have a student debt. New rules are on the cards that could soon increase their borrowing power when applying for a home…
The scheme that’s helped 193,000 Aussies buy a first home
If you’re in the market for a first home, there’s one scheme you should know about. It’s called the Home Guarantee Scheme, and it could slash the time it takes…
What happens to my home loan if interest rates fall?
Great news for home owners – plenty of economists are tipping an RBA rate cut for February. Assuming it happens, once the celebrations have died down, what next? We explain…
The top 5 location turn-offs for Aussie home buyers
Ever spotted a bargain property and then thought to yourself: ‘What’s the catch?’ Well, more often than not there’s a good reason behind a lower-than-expected price tag. And while an…
How to finance your 2025 home renovation
Bathroom blitz? Kitchen kit out? Or perhaps some landscaping love might be on your house upgrade wishlist for 2025? If so, it’s worth knowing what reno finance options are available.…
Decisions decisions… Fixed-rate vs variable home loan rate
Amid growing expectations of rate cuts in 2025, sticking with a variable home loan rate can seem like a no-brainer. But not so fast. Locking in your home loan rate…
House, apartment or townhouse? The pros and cons of each
There’s much more to property in Australia than just houses or units. And if you’re in the market for a home or investment property, it helps to know your townhouses…
Three financial New Year’s resolutions to tackle 2025 head-on
How are your New Year’s resolutions coming along? If you’re like most people, they’re likely related to health, fitness or abstinence. But why not consider a financial one too? Here…
Merry Christmas! And thanks for your support in 2024!
With the holiday season upon us, we’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to all our amazing clients for your trust and support throughout 2024. With the hope of rate…
Have you refinanced recently? It could be time this summer break
If you haven’t looked into refinancing since the start of higher interest rates, it might be time to ask yourself ‘why not?’ New research shows it could be time to…
How did property prices go in 2024? And what’s tipped for 2025?
As we head towards the end of 2024, let’s take a look at how property markets performed over the last year – and discover what the experts say may lie…
Thinking of buying a holiday home? Here’s what to weigh up
The coming weeks will see millions of Aussies enjoy a well-earned getaway, and for some, a memorable holiday will inspire plans to buy a holiday home. But is it a…
Thinking of installing a swimming pool for summer?
There are few better ways to beat the summer heat than floating in your very own pool. With a range of price points to choose from, a pool can be…
Buying land to build on later: what you need to know
You’ve seen the perfect piece of land but you’re not quite ready to build. No problem – a land loan can be a handy finance solution. However, it can work…
Do you really need a building inspection?
Your home is possibly the most valuable asset you will ever own. So it’s worth taking precautions to help ensure you buy a place that has a clean bill of…
Can we expect the RBA to cut back rates this summer?
With just one RBA rate decision left for 2024, homeowners may be holding onto hopes of a summer cut. We look at when rates may start falling – and how…
How much does LMI really add to a home’s cost?
Saving for a 20% house deposit is like house training a wilful Labrador. It requires plenty of patience and persistence. Not your thing? You could take out lenders mortgage insurance…