Home Loans Articles

One in six flick the big banks

Borrowers are flocking to smaller banks and mortgage lenders, which are stealing market share away from the major banks, new research has found.

Why you shouldn't be seduced by low rates

While interest rates are attractively low at the moment and therefore tempting to borrow more when buying a home, it is important to remember that a mortgage is a long-term commitment and rates can rise.

Reserve Bank Interest Rate Announcement September 2013

September update: Reserve Bank leave rates on hold at 2.5%

Does home size matter for a mortgage?

When it comes to property investment, size isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. At least not in the traditional perception of big is best. One-bedroom apartments, particularly in inner city areas, are increasingly popular with tenants – and investors are taking note.

Banks relax mortgage rules

Financial institutions are allowing customers to save up smaller deposits to buy property, and in some cases are lending up to 100 percent of a property’s value.

Buying a home with friends

Despite record low interest rates, housing affordability remains a concern for a majority of Australians. The median house price in Sydney, the most expensive city in Australia, is $640,000 and figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that prices grew 6.1 percent in the year to June 2013.

Investors push first home buyers out

As if it wasn’t hard enough for first home buyers to get a foot on the property ladder, new research shows investors are now shouldering their way in and making it harder still.

Spring clean your finances

We are marching through Spring, speedily heading towards the most expensive part of the year: Christmas and the summer break. Before you get lost in the madness likely to ensue, now is the perfect time of year to sort out your finances and learn to manage your money better.

Stress-free transition to your new home

Buying a new home is one of the most stressful things you can do. Doing it while trying to sell your current home at the same time amplifies the stress – and the risk.

Top 5 home buying risks and how to avoid them

Whether you’re buying your first home, upsizing or downsizing, the process can be scary and stressful. Not to mention expensive. That’s why it’s important to be ready and aware of the biggest risks you can encounter when buying a home. By knowing what can go wrong, you can take steps to avoid it.

Rate hike looms

The interest rate slide may be coming to an end, with new research suggesting rates could start to climb as early as next year, signally some relief for savers but bad news for borrowers.

Reserve Bank Interest Rate Announcement August

August update: Reserve Bank cuts the cash rate to 2.5%

Gadgets your budget will love

Many Australian households are feeling the pinch of higher household costs and research shows that most are taking sensible steps to make money stretch further. To help you get ahead, we've rounded up five affordable tech gadgets designed to save you money.

How to slash your grocery bill and potentially help mortgage repayments

The biggest cost we face involves putting a roof over our head, with housing – rent or mortgage – accounting for 18 percent of our weekly spend. That's closely followed by the cost of feeding the family. Try these tips to slash your food bills.

Tricks and traps when buying property

Finding a low-priced mortgage is only one piece of the puzzle facing first time home buyers, who must contend with a raft of expenses such as stamp duty, insurance and mortgage establishment fees which can quickly add up.

Debt is not always bad news

No matter what the state of play in the economy might be, some debt is actually helpful, an expert has warned.

Easing cost of living pressures

It’s not only the politicians who need to consider some belt tightening; Australians spent $20.3 billion on purchases in June, with credit limits hitting an all-time high of $139.8 billion. But there are some smart strategies to keep our personal finances in check.

Don't bank on the RBA for the big savings, experts

Experts are warning consumers to resist the temptation to rely exclusively on the central bank for delivering savings.