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.

NSW under most mortgage stress

Borrowers in NSW are on average closest to suffering mortgage stress compared to those living in the other states and territories, new research has revealed.

Refinancing packages account for one in three home loans

The number of homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan to get a better deal has jumped by 5 percent in the first quarter of 2011. Refinancing now accounts for around one in every three home loans approved.

Nationwide property round up

It’s a buyers’ market in Melbourne; auctions go gangbusters on the Sunshine Coast; properties are overpriced in WA, and if you’re looking to invest, units are the way to go.

First homebuyers happy to take in boarders to pay the mortgage

Would you be willing to rent out the spare room, or live at home with the folks for longer in order to afford your own home? According to a new Mortgage Choice survey, young Australians are prepared to do both.

Home loan approval figures improve in April

Home loan approvals rose by 4.8 percent in April, but the RBA warns this is not a sign the lending slump is over.

RBA keeps interest rates steady

In spite of all the will-they-or-won’t-they hoopla surrounding an interest rate rise, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has once more kept the official cash rate on hold at 4.75 percent.

Women waiting for the right mortgage

New research from RAMS reveals more women are applying for a home loan on their own.