Laine Gordon

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.

Save $50,000 on your home loan Here's how!

Interest rate rises hit home for people with variable rate mortgages, despite being cheaper than most fixed rate loans. When looking at home loans it is easy to be drawn in by promises of low interest rates without considering all the conditions of the loan.

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).

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

Mortgage talk made easy

Buying a new home is a trying time and the jargon bandied about by mortgage brokers, banks and real estate agents can add to the confusion. Whether you’re buying your first home or trading up or down, the process of finding the right home loan for your needs can be long and laborious.

To buy or not to buy Clearance rates skyrocket

Is now the time to ride the property market clearance wave or wait till the tide turns? A sales splurge has swept the Australian mortgage market, with hundreds of properties clearing out every week.