Home, Loans & Property Blog

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

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

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...