Home, Loans & Property Blog

In the first board meeting of the year, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the cash rate for the first time since 2023. Many economists predicted it would be increased in an effort to cool growing inflation. The cash rate is currently sitting at 3.85%. Data from the ABS last week revealed inflation increased in the 12 months to December, with the trimmed mean inflation (which removes some expenses that can fluctuate a lot, such as petrol) sitting at 3.3%. This

Saving a deposit for your first home can be tough, which is why some Australians team up with a sibling or friend to buy a home together. It’s an arrangement that can make ownership more achievable, especially when combined with the First Home Guarantee. The First Home Guarantee allows eligible buyers to purchase their first home with a 5% deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). The scheme can be used by two people jointly – and they don’t have to be a coupl

New data shows a sharp increase in the use of guarantor home loans. A guarantor home loan involves a close relative – generally one or two parents – offering their own property as security for part of the loan. This can allow a buyer to borrow up to 100% of the purchase price (and sometimes even more, to cover costs like stamp duty), without needing to pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI).   The pros of guarantor loans Buyers can get into the market sooner, without waiting to

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today announced it will keep the cash rate on hold. This follows three cuts this year, with the cash rate currently sitting at 3.60%. Homeowners with a variable rate will have found their interest rate is now lower than at the start of the year, and people looking to buy likely have found their borrowing capacity has increased. This means there is generally more money available to people making offers on properties - but this could have bee

One of the first questions buyers often ask is how much they need for a home deposit. It’s a simple question with a slightly more complex...

For buyers planning to purchase a property, conditional approval can be a smart first step. It gives a clear idea of borrowing capacity,...

The Australian Government has announced it will expand its Home Guarantee Scheme to eliminate caps on number of places and income for...

KPMG has revised its national property outlook, forecasting stronger price growth in 2025 than previously expected. House prices are now...

The Reserve Bank’s decision to reduce the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points in August has created new opportunities for borrowers, with...

From 1 October 2025, the pathway to home ownership becomes more accessible for eligible first home buyers, thanks to the Government's...

For many first-home buyers, the dream of living in a prestigious suburb can feel out of reach. However, recent analysis by property data...