The pros of having a mortgage broker on your side
What exactly can a mortgage broker do for you? Well, we don’t mean to toot our own horn, but we can make your home loan journey a whole lot easier, letting you focus on the fun part: planning for your new home! The words “home loan application process” can strike fear in the hearts of…
Mortgage serviceability: how to jump through the hoops
Mortgage serviceability can feel like a frustrating hurdle to clear. But it’s an important safeguard against borrowing too much, particularly in the current interest rate landscape. It’s in the best interests of all parties involved if your mortgage is chugging along with regular repayments being made. Borrowing an amount you don’t have a hope in…
Homeowners feel the pinch as RBA lifts cash rate to 3.60%
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the official cash rate for a tenth straight meeting, taking it to 3.60%. How much will this rate hike increase your monthly mortgage repayments, and how many more rate rises are expected to come? The RBA’s latest move takes the cash rate to its highest level since May…
The latest twist in the tale of national property prices: explained
The property market has had more plot twists than a daytime soap opera in recent years. So getting the skinny on current trends is helpful when you’re planning to buy. Here’s the lowdown on the latest surprising bit of data. Despite all the media doom and gloom predicting that the Australian housing market would tank…
How to prepare for a fixed-rate mortgage cliff
Do you have a fixed-rate mortgage contract that’s coming to an end soon? It can be a stressful time, particularly with rate rise news dominating the headlines. So today we’ve got some tips for a smooth transition. Like many Australians, you may have taken advantage of the interest rate good times by locking in a…
Considering refinancing your mortgage? Here are some questions to ask
Home loan not up to scratch? Looking for a better rate? Or do you want to unlock equity? Then refinancing could be for you. But there are some important questions to ask first. If you’re considering refinancing your mortgage, you’re not alone. With the rising cost of living and interest rates hitting the hip pockets…
RBA lifts cash rate for the sixth month in a row to 2.60%
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has hiked the official cash rate by another 25 basis points to 2.60%. How much will this rate hike increase your monthly mortgage repayments, and when will it kick in? It’s hard to believe that at the beginning of May the cash rate was just 0.10%. Today it was…
Why you might want to refinance sooner rather than later
Thinking about refinancing? As interest rates rise, so do the hurdles you need to clear. Here’s why you might want to look at refinancing soon to avoid potentially missing out. When was the last time you refinanced? If the answer is “never”, or you can’t actually remember, there’s a good chance you’re paying a higher…
Financial hardship arrangement reporting is about to change
With interest rates on the way back up, there’s no doubt some households around the country are starting to do it a bit tough. Coincidentally, some big changes kick in on July 1 when it comes to recording financial hardship arrangements. In the past, if you were unable to meet your loan repayments, you could…
Refinancing numbers are surging across the country, here’s why
Rising interest rates got you feeling a little vulnerable? It might be time to take some control back by refinancing or asking for a rate review. Here’s why we’re seeing refinancing numbers surge across the country. In just two months we’ve seen the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) increase the cash rate from a record-low…