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A slower property market may be giving buyers something valuable back: time For the past few years, buying property often felt like a race. - Inspect Saturday. - Decide quickly. - Make an offer. - Hope someone else does not offer more. In many parts of Australia, that urgency has eased. Homes are taking longer to sell, buyers have more properties to consider and negotiations are becoming more common. Recent national data shows selling conditions have softened considerably com

Your repayments continue as scheduled, even when the life around them changes completely Your home loan is wonderfully unemotional. It does not notice when your family grows, your career changes, your expenses increase or your next property goal begins taking shape. It simply continues collecting the repayment. That consistency can be helpful. However, it can also allow a loan arranged for an earlier stage of life to remain untouched long after your financial position and pri

Your home loan may have stayed much the same. Your life probably has not. Think back to when your current home loan was arranged. Where were you working? What was your household income? Who was living at home? What debts did you have? What were you trying to achieve? Perhaps you were buying your first home? You may have been raising young children, building a career or stretching the household budget to secure a property in the right location. Your loan was established around

UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR FINANCES CAN ABSORB BEFORE CHANGING CONDITIONS TEST THEM FOR YOU No one enjoys imagining that interest rates may rise again, household expenses may increase or a property could be worth less than expected. However, testing those possibilities before they happen can help you make calmer and more informed decisions later. A financial stress test is not about expecting the worst. It is about understanding how much change your current position may be able to

HERE’S WHAT BUYERS, INVESTORS, AND HOMEOWNERS NEED TO CONSIDER. Earlier this year, many buyers were worried that property prices would keep moving beyond their reach. Since then, interest rates have risen again, the Federal Budget has changed the outlook for some investors and property conditions have become softer and more uneven. Prices have fallen in some markets, stabilised in others and continued to rise where demand and limited supply remain strong. By the time you read

There has been a noticeable shift in how banks approach lending to companies and trusts. Many investors have used these structures for years to help with estate planning, asset protection or income distribution inside their family group. Recently though, some borrowers have been sold very aggressive strategies on social media - promising ‘unlimited loans’ by cycling properties through trusts and companies to go around normal serviceability limits. In response, several major l

A Web That's Hard To Unwind Later Cross-collateralisation is when a lender uses more than one of your properties as security for a single loan, or links multiple loans across several properties under one security pool. In other words, your properties are tied together, and the bank has a claim over more than one asset for the debt you owe. In home lending, this often happens when you use equity from your current home to buy an investment property, and the lender simply links

Why More Australians Are Choosing Mortgage Brokers Recent industry and consumer studies show: A growing share of property investors are using brokers as part of their advice team, alongside accountants and financial planners. Across the broader market, brokers now facilitate around 80% of new home loans and a similar share of refinances, according to broking industry and media reports. Australians are increasingly turning to brokers as their primary pathway to lenders, rather

WHY TIMING COULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT YOUR FINANCIAL POSITION The Federal Budget has created structural advantages for new build investors, however one critical factor often overlooked is timing - when you buy can now be just as important as what you buy. With the Budget reforms redirecting tax advantages towards new builds, investors considering house and land packages or new apartments face timing considerations that could significantly impact their outcomes. The constructi

OPPORTUNITIES MOST PEOPLE MISSED Following Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ Federal Budget announcement on 12 May 2026, the Government has confirmed major changes to housing tax settings that represent the most significant shift since 1999. While headlines have focused on what investors are losing, the real story lies in the opportunities these reforms have created - particularly for those who know where to look. Although many people are unhappy with the proposed changes and vocal abo

If the feature article attracted your interest, here’s a deeper dive into stagflation, why it’s so hard to fix and what it means for your finances in 2026. The policy dilemma at the heart of stagflation Stagflation creates a nightmare for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the government. Rate hikes Rate cuts or fiscal stimulus Help Dampen demand and bring inflation down Boost growth and jobs Harm Slow growth further and push unemployment higher, deepening stagnation Ris

Stagflation (the toxic mix of high inflation and stagnant economic growth) is no longer just a 1970s textbook concept. In early 2026, some economists have warned that stagflation “is happening” or may be a serious near term risk for the economy. What stagflation actually means Stagflation occurs when an economy experiences three bad things at once: slow or negative economic growth, rising unemployment, and persistently high (or rising) inflation. This combination is especiall

Here's How Your Property Survives (And Thrives) It can be overwhelming at the best of times when you’re entering the property market - whether it’s your first purchase or your tenth! When interest rates are rising and property prices keep grinding higher, along with the cost of living, it’s easy to lose your property mojo and start second guessing your every move. Keep this in mind… American investor, philanthropist and the world’s ninth wealthiest person, Warren Buffet, is f

IS THIS FINALLY THE MOMENT THE PROPERTY MARKET CRASH? With global tensions rising and talk of more rate hikes in 2026, many Australians are asking whether this is the moment the housing market finally buckles under pressure. The short answer is…probably not! While the ongoing conflict overseas has added volatility to global markets, energy prices and the overall cost of living, history suggests that even major world events (wars, the GFC, COVID-19) have rarely caused a lasti

So what’s best? Historically, outside the COVID era extremes, the answer is nuanced: meaning it’s not black and white! Variable rate borrowers have often done better on average over the long term, HOWEVER only if they stay disciplined and rates didn’t spike unexpectedly. This isn’t a black and white tale of one rate type dominating the other. It’s more like a chess match where strategy, timing and a dash of economic luck decide the winner. According to RBA cash rate histories

As you would know, fixed rate loans lock your interest for a set term (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 years), so lenders have to price in the cost of wholesale funding and future RBA moves at the time you sign. If lenders think inflation or economic growth will push the cash rate higher later in the year, they lift fixed rates now to protect their margins. In recent weeks, over 50 lenders have increased fixed rates, with some of the big banks lifting 3 year fixed products by up to 0.7 perce

HOW THE 5% DEPOSIT GUARANTEE AND EXPANDED SHARED EQUITY PROGRAMS WORK The Australian government’s new 5% deposit guarantee and expanded shared equity programs are game changers for aspiring first home buyers, aiming to lower the entry barriers to homeownership amid soaring property prices. These high-leverage initiatives enable buyers to grab a foothold in the market with significantly reduced upfront cash. HOWEVER they come with trade offs that are attracting growing scruti

Property investors have rarely been busier – or more heavily geared. In the September 2025 quarter, investors made up roughly two in every five new home loans, even as first home buyer activity fell away and house prices continued to surge across much of Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics confirmed in December that investor lending reached record levels, intensifying pressure on the Albanese government to rein in landlord credit and consider tougher settings for b

Refinancing is often touted as a pathway to saving thousands over the life of your mortgage, unlocking equity or securing more suitable features. Refinancing your home loan can deliver substantial savings and improved flexibility, but only if you avoid some common pitfalls that trip up Australian borrowers every year. Yet many Australians end up paying more or missing better opportunities by falling into avoidable traps. Here’s how to make sure your switch delivers real benef

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR FINANCES TO BE MARKET READY AND STOP WAITING FOR THE PERFECT MOMENT Preparing your finances to obtain a loan is the crucial first step to buying property. Many hold back, hoping for the perfect time, but finance approval readiness is about taking practical steps now. This article will help you understand how to organise your finances so that when the right property comes along, you’re ready to act - without waiting for a mythical perfect moment. Jumping in