News

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?”

Great news for home buyers! After an extended run of low listings, the number of homes coming onto the market is skyrocketing. So could this have an impact on the property market? Let’s take a look. Take a look around your local suburb, and chances are you’ll see freshly minted For Sale signs popping up all over … Continue reading “Home buyers rejoice! More listings are hitting the market”

Lending to property investors is soaring once again. We lift the lid on what’s driving investor interest – and what it could mean for the property market throughout 2024. It looks like property investors are back … and in a big way. The latest ABS figures show that in December 2023, banks lent over $26 billion in … Continue reading “They’re back! Why property investors account for one-in-three new home loans”

Happy days! The Reserve Bank kept rates steady in February. But a shake-up in the number of times our central bank meets each year is raising questions about how long the rate pause will last. Here’s what we could expect. It seems fitting that in a month known for Valentine’s Day, the Reserve Bank of … Continue reading “When will the next RBA cash rate call be made?”

Applying for a mortgage when you’re self-employed may have you jumping through more hoops. But it needn’t deter you from getting into the property market. Here are 4 tips to help you apply for a mortgage like a boss. Being your own boss sure has its advantages: the flexibility of setting your own hours, building … Continue reading “4 tips for self-employed home loan applications”

Hats off to Australia’s first home buyers! The latest lending data shows they’re refusing to let last year’s rate hikes and rising property values dampen their goal of buying a home. Here are five tips to help you buy your first home in 2024. You’ve gotta hand it to first home buyers in the current … Continue reading “First home buyers charge back into the market”