Tight rentals and record prices collide Renting and buying are both getting harder at the same time – and that tension is shaping decisions across the market. Australia’s national vacancy rate is just 1.2%, according to SQM Research, while the national median property price has climbed to a record $912,000, according to Cotality. Prices are up […]
Tight rentals and record prices collide Read More »
Rates are rising – here’s what’s changed Borrowers are now feeling the impact of February’s rate move. Since the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifted the cash rate on 3 February, many lenders – including all four major banks – have increased their variable rates. That means the typical variable borrower is now paying more
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Borrowing activity picks up pace Loan activity is rising again – but that doesn’t mean banks have loosened the gates. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data show the number of new loan commitments (excluding refinancing) in the December 2025 quarter was 13.4% higher than a year earlier. Under the surface: Owner-occupier activity rose 7.4%.
Borrowing activity picks up pace Read More »
While most property markets tended to favour sellers in 2023 and 2024, they’re likely to favour buyers in 2025
Property market predicted to favour buyers in 2025 Read More »
One of the biggest home loan mistakes you can make is to ‘set and forget’ your mortgage for 30 years. Here are five signs it might be time for you to refinance.
New year, new loan? Read More »
List of first home buyer grants in 2025 Getting on the property ladder is challenging, but it might be easier than you think thanks to a range of first home buyer assistance measures. The federal government offers the First Home Guarantee and Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee, which help eligible first home buyers purchase a
List of first home buyer grants in 2025 Read More »
There was conflicting news for property investors and tenants in the latest rental numbers, pointing to a mixed outlook for the rental market.
Rental market slowing despite rents hitting record high Read More »
Record number of consumers turning to brokers About three-quarters of homebuyers are now using mortgage brokers, according to the latest data from Comparator. In the September quarter, brokers originated a record-high 74.6% of all new home loans, while banks originated a record-low 25.4%. Choice is the number one reason homebuyers prefer brokers – a broker
Record number of consumers turning to brokers Read More »
Higher interest rates make it harder for borrowers to qualify for larger loans or even loans of any size. That’s because for every increase of 0.50 percentage points in interest rates, the average person’s borrowing capacity falls by about 5%, according to PropTrack senior economist Paul Ryan. Since 2022, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)
How interest rates impact your borrowing capacity Read More »
If you’re a lower-income or middle-income earner, you will soon have a new way to buy a property, after the federal parliament passed legislation for Help to Buy.
Government unveils new assistance scheme for owner-occupiers Read More »
Good news for anyone planning to buy in early 2025, with the latest data suggesting conditions have turned in favour of buyers.
Buyers gaining negotiating power heading into new year Read More »
Are you considering renovating? If so, you’re not the only one, because renovations are incredibly popular, with homeowners investing $2.84 billion on alterations and additions in the June 2024 quarter
Top 3 ways to finance your renovations Read More »
