Not so long ago plenty of economists were tipping a fresh round of rate cuts in 2026. But the picture’s not so clear anymore. There’s even talk of possible rate hikes next year. Here’s how you can prepare. Talk about interest rates being unpredictable!  We started 2025 with the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) cash rate sitting at 4.35%. February saw the first rate cut in five years . After two further rate cuts, the cash rate is down to 3.60% .  And thanks to the RBA keep

Imagine being able to buy your own home with just a $12,000 deposit. That’s what the federal government’s new Help to Buy shared equity scheme can offer . But there are some pros and cons to be aware of. Let’s take a look. Think back to 2022. That’s when the Labor government first proposed a new Help to Buy scheme .  It sparked plenty of interest back then. But three years is a long time to wait for anything, and chances are plenty of would-be home buyers have now forgotten a

2025 has been a big year for property investors. But the rapid growth of investment lending has fuelled speculation about a possible crackdown on loans to property investors. We explain what’s happening, and why it might be worth considering bringing forward your plans.  The past year has been a cracker for property investors.  The tightest vacancy rates on record  have seen a pick-up in rental growth. Interest rates on investment home loans  are at their lowest since late 20

Gen Z may be known for being tech savvy, but they’re also showing their smarts when it comes to home buying, with a surprisingly large number preparing to buy their first home before the end of the decade. Here’s how Gen Zs are making their home-buying plans happen. They don’t call it the ‘great Australian dream’ for nothing.  Owning a home remains a leading goal for many Australians and a recent Westpac survey found more than one in three (35%) Gen Zs – that’s chiefly people

To save or to pay down your home loan, that is the question. Ok, so it’s not Shakespearean levels of contemplation – but it’s still a big decision facing many Australian families right now. Let’s take a look at what the majority of home owners are leaning toward. A growing number of home owners have given up waiting for rate cuts and are making home loan savings of their own – by knuckling down to reduce their mortgage balance. A survey by Agile Market Intelligence found 69%

Property prices are running hot as we head into summer, and the market is tipped to dial up even further over the next 12 months. Here’s how it could shape your home-buying plans. Aussie home values are sprinting into summer, with property price growth hitting the fastest pace in over two years  in October. The price hikes are unlikely to stop there.  A record nine out of ten (88%) respondents to a recent API Magazine survey expect home prices to climb higher . It seems the e

Season 21 of The Block  may be over but the sales are not, with two homes failing to find buyers at auction. It’s a different story across the broader market though. As auction clearance rates heat up we explain how to get your auction game on.  Life may imitate art, but reality TV doesn’t always reflect reality.   The Block ’s latest final episode is a case in point.  Two of the five homes failed to sell  at auction. One didn’t even attract a bid. But auction clearance rates

If you’ve just boarded the home buyer express, chances are ‘value’ is high on your list of neighbourhood must-haves. Well, it turns out that house hunters who are happy to stay on the train for just one more stop can be rewarded with savings totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars. When you’re house hunting, it’s not uncommon to want to snag a bargain. One possible solution? Check out the local rail map. New research by PropTrack shows house hunters could save hundreds of

They say there’s nothing quite like a parent’s love. Well, perhaps except for a parent’s love plus an extra $40,000 to help buy your first home. Today we’ll look at the pros and cons of family support – plus other ways to buy a first home that give mum and dad a break. Saving a first home deposit can be an endurance test. Nationally, it takes an average of 5.6 years to save a 20% deposit .  The catch is that deposits tend to grow slowly, while property prices can rise quickly

The Reserve Bank has the cash rate in a holding pattern, and several of the big banks have scaled back their predictions of another cash...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are making headlines, having reportedly called time on their 19-year marriage. If you’re also facing a...

Switching to a new home loan might sound like a hassle. But new research shows brokers don’t just make refinancing easier, they can also...

The clock is ticking towards the festive season, and home buyers still have a small window of opportunity to be settled in their new...

If you’re like most first home buyers, you’ve probably realised by now that saving up for a 20% deposit can be a real slog. But what if...

Spring is traditionally the peak season for property, and three rate cuts this year could further fuel buyer competition. Check out five...

The popular Home Guarantee Scheme that lets first home buyers get into the market with just a 5% deposit has been expanded sooner than...

Three rate cuts since February have spurred home owners to take a closer look at their home loan. Turns out plenty have found a loan...

Borrowers around the country have been delivered a sunnier financial outlook this month after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today...

Buying a first home isn’t always easy, and first-timers sometimes miss out on a place they’ve set their heart on. But more than...

Location, location, location. Or should we say: education, education, education. New research shows homes in the catchment areas of...