Laine Gordon

Rate hike warning for 2013

Borrowers are being urged to prepare for interest rate hikes as early as next year, on the back of strong economic growth forecasts for 2012.

Would you marry for money?

Romances of the rich and famous can be extremely profitable. For the rest of us, marrying for money may be the least romantic reason to wed, but tying the knot can bring financial advantages.

Buy a home at half the cost

The rising cost of living is forcing Australian families to change the way they live and driving new housing schemes that make buying property more affordable.

Supersize your first home deposit

It takes the average first home buyer more than five years to save a 10 percent deposit, research shows. Consider these tips to help you get a foot on the property ladder sooner.

How to get the best price for your house

Spring is the peak selling season for Australian residential property. But it's a tough market for vendors with a record number of houses now on the market, research shows.

Job satisfaction more important than money

Two in three Australian workers are not engaged with their jobs, and salary is less important than job satisfaction among employees, research shows.

First home buyers locked out of city pads

Studios and small one-bedroom apartments close to central business districts are out of reach for many first home buyers, with some property agents pointing the finger at banks.

Investors surge back into the property market

Rising rents and lower interest rates are drawing investors back into the property market, giving Australia's gloomy lending sector some cause for optimism.

Stress-busting superfoods

The overwhelming majority of Australians suffer from stress, with 91 percent reporting some level of stress in their lives, according to a recent Lifeline poll.

Can your postcode stop you from home loan approval?

Where you live could be one of the factors that determine how successful you will be with home loan approval, according to reports of concerns raised by Financial Services Minister Bill Shorten.