Laine Gordon

Investment property hotspots

As property investors return to the market, the Gold Coast in Queensland and Newcastle in NSW, are emerging as potential hotspots for those looking at an investment loan, according to real estate mogul John McGrath.

Government scheme helps property investors

Would the promise of $100,000 paid to you in 10 tax-free annual installments help lure you into investing in property? If the answer is yes, then maybe the government’s National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) is the right home finance service for you.

Online mortgage wars gather even more steam

Australians are embracing online mortgage products with gusto, resulting in heated competition from lenders for a bigger share of the .com lending market.

First homebuyer alert How to accelerate your deposit

There are some key ways to give your savings power a boost. Save regularly, not just here and there, make your money work, earn more than you spend and government programs and grants.

Bank gimmicks fail to win new customers

A new report from Loan Market reveals that, in spite of the Big Four banks offering everything from cash incentives to paying competitors’ exit fees, the mortgagees of Australia are largely reluctant to change lenders in their search for the best mortgage.

New reports says housing market set for recovery

Business research and forecasting company BIS Shrapnel has released a new report stating the housing market will begin to recover within the next two years.

CBA cuts interest rates on no-fee loan

In a bid to increase its share of the flagging mortgage market, the Commonwealth Bank has reduced the interest rate on its ‘no fee’ home loan from 7.24 to 7.11 percent. The discounted rate will save mortgage holders around $27 per month on average.

$7000 'tree change' grant

Residents in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong are being offered a one-off $7000 payment to uproot for a tree change as part of the NSW government's Regional Relocation Grant. But an embarrassing loophole means that you may only have to move one suburb away to cash in.

The things you should know about your mortgage

With a ban on excessive early exit mortgage fees now in place, borrowers are being urged to take advantage of switching without penalty to find a better deal on their home loans.

Be wary of cleverly marketed mortgages

Borrowers are being urged to take caution when signing up to some home loan interest rate promotions, following the launch of several deals last month. While the official cash rate remained steady in May and June, five lenders slashed some of their residential mortgage rates by as much as 45 basis points.