Mark Bristow

6 options for borrowers whose mortgage holidays are coming to an end

Back in March 2020, Australia’s big banks and other mortgage lenders offered to let mortgage holders defer their home loan repayments and relieve some of the financial pressure from the pandemic. With the initial six-month time limit now coming to an end, many Aussie mortgage holders are now facing a choice of what to do next.  

Can I get a home loan with no credit history?

If you prefer to avoid borrowing money wherever possible, you may run into some trouble when it comes to buying property. Not only is a home loan almost essential when it comes to Australian real estate, but having no credit history could make your mortgage application a little bit more challenging.

Some of the best home loans for investors in August 2020

Between falling rents and rising vacancies in some capital cities, it’s a challenging time to be a property investor. Whether you’re applying for a new investment loan or are refinancing an existing loan, you can expect extra scrutiny from banks and mortgage lenders, requiring extra time and paperwork.

Some of the best home loans for owner occupiers in August 2020

You may have noticed that it’s a bit of a weird time to buy property just now, whether as a first home buyer, an upsizer or a downsizer. Lockdown restrictions have affected property supply and demand in different areas, not to mention buyer and seller confidence. Plus, homeowner priorities have been shifting, swinging away from units and apartments and more towards detached housing.

Could negative inflation keep rates on hold?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has recorded the largest fall in Australia’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) in its 72-year history, indicating that it may be some time before we start seeing interest rates rise.

Best home loans for investors in July 2020

While real estate is traditionally considered a relatively safe asset to invest you money in, job losses have left many tenants struggling to afford rents, while self-isolation and social distancing has affected real estate markets, and in turn house prices. If times are tough as an investor, it may be worth looking into options for refinancing your investment mortgage.

How JobTrainer could give you skills to let you buy a home

JobTrainer, coming hot on the heels of JobKeeper, JobSeeker and HomeBuilder, is a government program intended to help new school leavers and those out of work to get the training and qualifications needed to find gainful employment. But could this scheme help you to get the skills needed to boost your income and finally achieve the great Australian dream?

The best home loans for July 2020

It’s a new financial year – a time when many Australians re-assess their personal finances. The ongoing effects of the pandemic on our workplaces and economy has left many of us in a much different position to where we were at this time last year.

How low could home loan rates go?

With Australia entering its first recession in decades, banks and mortgage lenders are eager to sign up new customers, and are making discounted interest rates available to first home buyers and refinancers. Large and small banks have been slashing both fixed and variable interest rates, and may continue to compete by offering further discounts.  

What is Open Banking and what does it mean to me?

One of the first events of the new financial year is the launch of Open Banking, which promises to make it much easier to compare financial offers and switch banks. But what is Open Banking, and does it live up to the hype?