Laine Gordon

Mortgage trends Basic is in, fixed is out, and capped is hot

Despite a recent string of rate hikes, borrowers are shunning fixed rate home loans. The latest ABS figures on housing finance show that demand for fixed loans fell by more than 10 percent, with fewer than 6 percent of homebuyers locking into a fixed rate.

Is it too late to switch to a fixed rate home loan?

Interest rates have begun their upward climb, sending a collective frown across the foreheads of Australians with a home loan. The question of fixing your home loan’s interest rate or taking a punt with a variable rate is no doubt rearing its head with increasing frequency.

Bricks and boards - Construction loans solve housing shortage

Many home loan borrowers are now considering taking up construction loans to save on costs and help with building more homes for future generations. The housing shortage is crippling Australia, according to experts who believe that the undersupply of properties will cause future suffering for home buyers.

Interest rates to hit 5 percent in 2010

The recent interest rate rises may be just the beginning of a long climb for home loan rates, with economists predicting that the Reserve Bank cash rate will rise to 5 percent by Christmas 2010.

Summer buying Now is the time to find a home and borrow

Summer is a season for family gatherings, beach holidays and long, lazy afternoons. For savvy home buyers, it may also be a good time to snap up your dream home and score the best home loan deals on the market.

How will first home buyer cap affect you?

Buyers’ Cap, which forces future buyers receiving the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) to keep under a price limit. Those who are planning on taking a larger home loan will have to look elsewhere to save.

Don't be wooed by home loan goodies

In this era of new austerity, home loan customers are sticking to the basics. While the housing market remains strong thanks to historically low interest rates and the First Home Buyers Grant, people are very cautious

Who's paying the big rates on savings accounts?

When it comes to savings accounts, Australians are spoilt for choice. There’s a smorgasbord of banks, credit unions and building societies to choose from, casting your net wide can boost the returns on your savings.

Mortgage competition warms up in time for a merry Christmas

Be sure to shop around for home loans with lower fees and better features as the economy warms up in time for Christmas and lenders become eager to compete for market share. RateCity CEO Damian Smith says packaged deals are where you are likely to find the most competitive home loan offers in the months ahead

Outright home ownership harder than ever

Home ownership might be further away than ever, with the proportion of Australians who own their homes outright dropping, according to recent findings by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).