Home Loans Articles

Where are Australia's next property hot spots?

The tail end of 2013 was a lucrative time for property investors and home owners alike as property prices across Australia boomed thanks to improved confidence and low interest rates.

Home inspection guide

You could be searching for your first home, upgrading from a bachelor pad to a family home or downsizing after the kids have moved out – whatever your circumstances, visiting countless open houses can leave you suffering sensory overload and feeling confused.

Apartments on the rise

As most would-be homebuyers know all too well, Australia suffers from a housing supply shortage, which experts cite as one of the reasons property prices are among the highest in the world.

Weddings are costing couples home deposits

It seems the Australian dream of home ownership is shifting, as couples begin to place more financial importance on a single day instead – their wedding day!

Is now the right time to fix?

To fix or not to fix? Latest inflation figures have changed the outlook for interest rates in Australia.

Simple ideas for adding value to your home

Whether you’re planning to sell now or simply want to keep your options open in the long-term, adding value to your home over time is a smart move for any homeowner.

Property investment 101: how to get started

In a country where property prices are a common topic of conversation, property investment is bound to be a widespread aspiration. Owning an investment property, done right, is a proven way to build wealth and ensure a more comfortable retirement.

Smart tips for adding value to your home

Whether you’re planning to sell now or simply want to keep your options open in the long-term, adding value to your home over time is a smart move for any homeowner.

Superannuation versus paying off the mortgage

You’ve saved diligently all year, or perhaps you’ve received an unexpected windfall, bonus or inheritance. No matter how you’ve come across it, the question is likely to be about how to make the most of any spare cash – a common choice would be to inject it into your mortgage or add it to your superannuation fund.

Fixed rates rise further in November

A growing number of institutions are increasing the interest rates on their fixed home loans - a move that shows their hand on where they think the market might be heading.

Four property investment myths

Just under 8 percent of the Australian population owns an investment property, according to the Australian taxation Office, although a much higher proportion considers it – or ends up selling up and giving up on the dream of being a landlord.

Fixed rates rise further

About half of all four- and five-year fixed rate home loans, and more than a third of three-year fixed rate home loans, have had rates adjusted up in the past two months, according to RateCity research.

How government can really help home buyers

Despite record low interest rates, first home buyers now account for less than 10 percent of all new home loan dollars financed – a record low. Yet an opportunity to support a savings initiative for first home buyers is going to waste, according to RateCity.

How to make the most of low interest rates

With Australia’s official cash rate at a 53-year historical low of 2.5 percent, Australian home owners are enjoying lower mortgage repayments than ever.

Is negative gearing to blame for house unaffordability?

Negative gearing allows investors to claim any losses they incur on an investment property against their personal tax income and is often cited as driving up the price of property by encouraging investors to enter the market.

Low rates put borrowers 20 months ahead

The study by RateCity has revealed that a low interest rate environment has helped households to pay down their home loans more quickly than required.

Avoiding the rental trap

With property prices across Australia consistently rising rather than falling, buying your first home may seem discouragingly out of reach. However, new research shows that rents are creeping up at a faster-than-usual rate may prompt some tenants to swap renting for home ownership.

Property or shares: where should you invest?

When it comes to investing their hard-earned cash, Australians have always been partial to bricks and mortar and consistently rising property prices have guaranteed a solid investment return. As an alternative investment strategy, the Australian share market has also delivered results for investors, with shares reaching a five-year high last month.