Insights

How did property prices go in 2024? And what’s tipped for 2025?

December 12, 2024

As we head towards the end of 2024, let’s take a look at how property markets performed over the last year – and discover what the experts say may lie in store for home prices in 2025. 2024 has been a year of change, with property values and market conditions shifting across many of our…

Thinking of buying a holiday home? Here’s what to weigh up

December 5, 2024

The coming weeks will see millions of Aussies enjoy a well-earned getaway, and for some, a memorable holiday will inspire plans to buy a holiday home. But is it a good idea? And can a weekender still stack up financially? We explain what to consider plus tips to fund a vacation property. It’s that time…

Thinking of installing a swimming pool for summer?

November 28, 2024

There are few better ways to beat the summer heat than floating in your very own pool. With a range of price points to choose from, a pool can be affordable, but will it add value to your property? And how will you pay for your backyard oasis? Fun fact: more than 3 million Aussies have…

Buying land to build on later: what you need to know

November 21, 2024

You’ve seen the perfect piece of land but you’re not quite ready to build. No problem – a land loan can be a handy finance solution. However, it can work a bit differently from a regular home loan. Here’s what you need to know. Not everyone wants to buy an established home or even a…

Do you really need a building inspection?

November 14, 2024

Your home is possibly the most valuable asset you will ever own. So it’s worth taking precautions to help ensure you buy a place that has a clean bill of health, free from budget-busting hidden nasties. Even the most attractive homes can hide unwanted surprises, and it’s not always easy to spot a problem property….

Can we expect the RBA to cut back rates this summer?

November 7, 2024

With just one RBA rate decision left for 2024, homeowners may be holding onto hopes of a summer cut. We look at when rates may start falling – and how you could possibly give yourself a rate cut before Christmas. “Are we there yet?” It’s the catch cry of kids on long summer road trips,…

How much does LMI really add to a home’s cost?

October 31, 2024

Saving for a 20% house deposit is like house training a wilful Labrador. It requires plenty of patience and persistence. Not your thing? You could take out lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). But how much extra does that cost? And can you avoid paying for it? (for the LMI, not the dog…) LMI is a type…

How to nail a home loan if you’re self-employed

October 24, 2024

It’s the great Australian dream for many: giving the 9-to-5 grind the flick and running your own show. But when it comes to taking out a home loan, being your own boss can dish up some unexpected hammer blows. Rightly or wrongly, lenders tend to see self-employed borrowers as a higher risk compared to employees. That’s…

What’s going on with negative gearing?

October 17, 2024

Negative gearing is in the headlines again. But what is it all about, and could it affect you? We explain how negative gearing works, why it’s so popular among investors, and why it’s attracting fresh attention. Australians love property. So much so that more than one-in-ten adults (2,268,161 Australians) own an investment property. So why…

How long it takes to save a deposit (and how to fast-track it)

October 10, 2024

Planning to buy your first home? It takes (on average) about five to six years to save a deposit at present. But who’s got the patience to save for six years? Today we’ll look at four ways you could fast-track home ownership. They say patience is a virtue. But the narrator/protagonist of the poem that coined…

Could rate cuts mean house prices heat up again?

October 3, 2024

Thinking of holding off buying until interest rates fall? Wait until you see what could happen to home prices. Here’s why it could make sense to buy sooner rather than later if you’re home loan-ready. September saw the nation’s official cash rate kept on hold once again. But there is growing consensus that the RBA…

Why 9 out of 10 first-home buyers use a mortgage broker

September 26, 2024

Remember the first time you stepped into a gym? It’s unlikely you swaggered your way over to the free weights rack and started busting out squats. Well, it turns out buying your first home can be just as daunting, with 91% of first-home buyers turning to a mortgage broker for guidance. When it comes to…

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