Laine Gordon

Australia's best value home loans

Your Investment Property magazine has announced their list of the best mortgage deals now available. The research takes into account not only the comparison rate but also major costs such as deferred establishment fees, upfront and ongoing fees.

Property investors buoy flagging housing market

Australian Finance Group (AFG) has released data stating that investors are responsible for an unexpected 18.8 percent hike in mortgage sales in May. The figures also revealed that investment buyers accounted for 36.5 percent of the market in the same period.

Housing boost for the Sunshine State

The cost of buying a new home in Queensland is set to ease in about six weeks when the state government's building boost grant comes into effect. But other plans to emerge from the Queensland state budget will mean some residents will pay increased stamp duty.

Deposit pressure eases, but borrowers beware

Most prospective home buyers are advised to save at least 10 percent deposit for their future home purchase, but as lenders relax their mortgage criteria and ease deposit pressure, borrowers may be getting in over their heads.

Does your mortgage reward your loyalty?

The number of lenders offering loyalty discounts to mortgage customers has almost doubled in six months, as competition in the home loans market heats up. Loyalty discount home loans reward borrowers with a rate discount after they have held the loan for a certain period of time such as one or two years, encouraging continued loyalty.

Home loan wars heat up

As the housing market remains flat, it certainly pays to compare home loans. The major banks are offering discounted interest rates and larger mortgages in a bid to entice borrowers back to the market.

Is your mortgage really an 'award winner' ?

Any foray into the complex world of trying to find the best mortgage is bound to yield an array of products that claim to be award-winning leaders in the field. But as Choice magazine’s Ingrid Just says, it pays to look beyond the gold medals and blue ribbons.

Aussies skip mortgage repayments at record highs

Skipping a mortgage repayment is becoming more common among Australian households, according to new research from Fitch Ratings. The number of homes that missed a monthly home loan repayment set a new record high in the March quarter.

Economic slump will not save us from a rate rise

Homeowners hoping that interest rates remain steady as Australia's export earnings continue to drop look set to be disappointed.

Home loan spotlight Second mortgages

Thinking of taking out a second mortgage? Ask yourself first if you would be better off refinancing and, if you still wish to go ahead, make sure you consider the good the bad and the ugly.