With the cash rate on hold, many borrowers are taking a closer look at their home loans. If you haven’t reviewed yours in a while, it may be worth exploring whether your current loan still suits your situation. With cost-of-living expenses still stretching household budgets, even a small reduction in your interest rate could make a meaningful difference to your monthly repayments. Refinancing isn’t right for everyone, but it’s always worth understanding your options. Here’s

Australia’s property market is moving through a softer phase. Rising interest rates, stretched affordability, and the federal budget’s tax reforms have eased buyer demand. This is particularly evident across Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, where prices have drifted lower since the start of the year. Conditions vary considerably by location, property type, and price bracket. While some markets continue to hold firm, others are seeing more listings, longer selling times, and

With property prices easing in some markets and recent federal budget housing tax reforms appearing to reduce investor competition, conditions may be becoming more favourable for first-home buyers. In this type of environment, there could be more choice, less pressure and more room to negotiate than we’ve seen in recent years. Buying your first home can feel like a big leap, especially when prices, rates and lending rules are constantly changing. But the start of a new finan

Getting finance when you’re self-employed can sometimes feel more complex than it is for salaried employees, but it’s far from out of reach with the right preparation and paperwork. There may be a few extra steps along the way, but being prepared can help put you in a stronger position when applying for a home loan. One of the most common misconceptions? That you need two years of financials before any lender will look at you. Some specialist lenders will consider application

Have property prices already peaked, and is now the right time to buy? This is a question that many aspiring homeowners are weighing up. While it’s difficult to predict exactly where the market will peak or trough, many investors focus on longer-term trends rather than short-term movements. With the Federal Budget reshaping the investment landscape at the same time as interest rates push higher, the answer is layered. Cost-of-living relief was a key theme of the 2026–27 Feder

30 June is fast approaching. For property investors, it’s a natural time to review your position and get records in order before the financial year closes. This year there’s an added reason to take stock. The Federal Budget introduced changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax that will affect the way residential property investments are treated from 1 July 2027. Existing properties are grandfathered, but if you’re planning your next move, it’s worth being across the d

Property investors may be motivated by different goals. With changing market conditions and some areas seeing slower price growth, some investors may be placing greater focus on rental yield and cash flow rather than capital growth alone. This shift may influence both property selection and financing decisions. If you’re considering investing in property, here’s what to know about rental yields and why they matter. What is rental yield? Rental yield is the annual rent generat

For many homeowners, timing can be one of the challenges when purchasing their next property. If you’re planning to sell your current home to fund your next purchase, a bridging loan may be worth considering. Mortgage brokers have reported increased interest in bridging finance, as some buyers consider alternative ways to navigate higher living costs and rising interest rates. Here’s how this type of finance works, along with some key considerations to keep in mind. What is a

With interest rates rising, many borrowers are taking the time to review their home loan arrangements. A review of your loan structure may assist in managing repayments, subject to your individual circumstances. Offset accounts and redraw facilities are features offered on some home loans. When used appropriately, they may help reduce the interest payable and overall loan costs, depending on individual circumstances. Offset accounts An offset account is a transaction or savin

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming when everything is new and unfamiliar. There are many moving parts in the home-buying process, and it can be difficult to know where to start. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. A mortgage broker can guide you through the process and handle much of the heavy lifting from comparing lenders and interest rates to supporting you at every stage of your home loan j

With interest rates rising in recent months, many Australians have seen their mortgage repayments increase. As a result, more homeowners are starting to ask whether refinancing their home loan could help them reduce costs or improve their loan structure. In fact, refinancing activity has surged. Last year, more than 640,000 homeowners switched their home loan, representing a 20 per cent increase compared to the previous year. So, what exactly does refinancing involve, and ho

When it comes to buying an investment property, you don’t necessarily need to limit yourself to your own backyard. Looking beyond your local market, including interstate, can open up new opportunities when the timing is right. Often referred to as “borderless investing”, this approach allows you to tap into growth in different regions. However, investing in a different state comes with its own considerations. Understanding how it works, where the opportunities may be, and wha

If you’re looking to buy your first home in 2026, one of the first big questions is whether an apartment or a house makes more sense for you, which often comes down to your lifestyle, financial situation and what you’re working towards. Each option comes with its own benefits and trade-offs, so understanding the differences can help you make a more confident decision. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each. Apartments Pros Lower price tag Buying an apartment may allow

For many property investors, 2025 offered compelling reasons to buy. The cash rate came down three times and property prices soared in many markets, driven by lower rates, tight housing supply and government incentives. Meanwhile, rents continued to climb across much of the country. So, following February’s cash rate increase, what might investors expect next? Below we explore key investment property trends likely to shape the market in 2026. Uneven price growth across market

Loyalty is an honourable trait, but not necessarily when it comes to your home loan. Sticking with the same lender indefinitely may mean you’re paying what’s known as a ‘loyalty tax’. This often shows up as higher interest rates compared to what new customers are offered. With interest rates on the rise, now could be a good time to check whether you are paying loyalty tax and it may be worthwhile exploring your options along the way. What is loyalty tax? Loyalty tax refers to

Nothing compares to that feeling of buying your first home. If you’re planning a 2026 property purchase, saving the deposit is often one of the biggest hurdles. Careful planning and perseverance can play a role in working towards this goal. Here are some tips to help you work towards your savings target. Set a savings goal The first step is to work out how much you’ll need for your deposit. Check out what properties in your preferred suburbs are selling for, and from there, y

Property investment looks different for everyone, with no single approach suiting every situation. As market conditions, lending rules and affordability, continue to change, planning and preparation are becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation for investors. With a new year underway, many property investors are reviewing their goals and plans for the months ahead. Whether you already own an investment property or you are planning your first purchase in 2026

As interest rates shift and the property market evolves, your mortgage may not be something you set and forget. Just like your financial goals, your home loan needs can change over time, which is why it’s worth checking in regularly. If you haven’t reviewed your loan in a while, now could be a good time to do a quick health check. Read on to see what your home loan health check could uncover. Why reviewing your home loan matters What worked when you first bought your home mig

Buy now, pay later. Sounds convenient and harmless, right? It’s no surprise that Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Afterpay have surged in popularity as it lets you split purchases into smaller, interest-free instalments (as long as you pay on time). In fact, the value of BNPL transactions in Australia is expected to jump from about AU $17 billion in 2023 to an estimated AU $30.71 billion by 2029. But there’s a catch. Earlier this year, significant changes rolled out f

Well, that’s almost a wrap on 2025 and what a year it’s been for the property market. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from 2025 and see what aspiring property purchasers can expect from 2026. Looking back on 2025 Interest rates came down The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) started the year with a bang, with a cash rate cut in February of 0.25% to 4.10%. Rates held steady in April, but borrowers celebrated again in May, when the RBA cut the cash rate a further 0.2