News

If the latest federal government budget is leaving you hungry for perks and savings, you’re not alone. We’ve had a brainstorm and here are four ways you could start working towards your property goals now. The 2024 federal budget is out, and you might be wondering what’s in it for you. Sure, an energy rebate of … Continue reading “Not feeling the budget love? 4 ways you could still get ahead”

Whether you’re rat running your local streets, or have a knack for always picking the fast-moving supermarket queue – everyone loves a good time-saving hack. Well, today we’ll let you in on a scheme that could get you into your first home years – yep years – sooner! When you’re saving for a first home, … Continue reading “Low deposit scheme helps over 150,000 families buy sooner”

Who doesn’t love a tax cut? Most of us are now only weeks away from saving on our tax bills, with Stage 3 tax cuts to kick in from 1 July. But another key advantage is that the tax cuts could give your borrowing power a nice boost. The upcoming Stage 3 tax cuts have … Continue reading “Here’s why your borrowing power might soon get a lift”

We all love the idea of nabbing a bargain property, but for most home buyers the real issue is whether they’re overvaluing a place – and paying too much in the process. Buying a home is an exciting prospect, but it’s perfectly natural to have a big dose of nerves given that you’re likely committing … Continue reading “How to know if you’re paying a fair price”

Where you put your car keys, who won the footy premiership three years back, the new prime minister of New Zealand’s name – all very much socially acceptable things to forget. Your home loan rate shouldn’t be on that list. It’s a fair bet that your home loan repayments are one of your biggest household … Continue reading “Can you remember your home loan interest rate?”

When it comes to buying investment properties, younger Australians are punching above their weight, with Millennials taking the title as the nation’s most active generation for property investment. Investors are continuing to flock to the property market, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics saying the volume of new investor loans in February was 21.5% higher compared … Continue reading “Plot twist: Millennials are Australia’s most active property investors”

You may not feel richer, but if you’re a homeowner, there’s a decent chance your personal wealth has surged over the past 12 months thanks to soaring property values. And it could open up a world of exciting possibilities. Sometimes you’ve just got to shake your head in disbelief at the resilience of the property … Continue reading “Homeowners now an extra $71,000 richer (on average!)”

Nobody likes missing out on a good thing. But then again, who likes overpaying? So how do you strike the right balance when both fears can work against one another? The property market rarely stands still. Interest rate movements, the number of homes listed for sale, and even the time of year can all drive … Continue reading “FOMO, FOBO and FOOP – how they can hold you back”

There’s something very special about moving into a newly built home or putting the finishing touches on a major renovation. Maybe it’s the look and feel of new paint and fresh flooring, or just knowing you’ve kicked a worthwhile goal. Whatever the motivation, plenty of Aussies are rolling up their sleeves right now, with the value … Continue reading “Explainer: how construction loans work”

Spare cash can be tight right now (cost of living crunch, anyone?). But if you’ve still got some savings plus a home loan, there’s a way you could make your surplus funds work harder. Ever heard of an offset account? They’re becoming an increasingly popular add-on feature to home loans, with new data showing that … Continue reading “Why offset accounts are hitting new highs”

Need a home loan in a hurry? You could be in luck. Plenty of lenders are keen to crunch loan approval times at present – but there’s a lot borrowers can do to potentially speed up the process, too. Finding a home to buy can take time, and when the right place comes along it … Continue reading “How long does it really take to get a home loan?”

Location may be a big driver of property prices, but in any given suburb a few streets can be all that separates paying top dollar for a home or potentially scoring a bargain. Here’s how to use a tool to find pockets of value in any given neighbourhood. Each suburb has its own median house … Continue reading “Where are the bargain homes located in your suburb?”