At the September board meeting the Monetary Policy Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) increased the official cash rate to a 15-year high of 4.60%. The official cash rate is now at its highest level since November 2011. Australia’s July inflation came in hotter than expected, with trimmed mean inflation, the RBA’s preferred…
At the July board meeting the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept the official cash rate on hold at 3.85%. This went against most opinions which believed the cash rate would be reduced. After 2 rate cuts (0.50%) so far in 2025 the RBA shocked most people by keeping the official cash rate on hold…
If you’re registered for GST, you’ll have a regular business activity statement to sort out. Here’s how to get on top of it and make BAS preparation easier. Let’s start with the basics: what is BAS? It’s an acronym for business activity statement. Whether it’s monthly, quarterly or yearly, every Australian business registered for the…
Refinancing may be a great way to save money or free up some extra cash during these uncertain times. With many Australians experiencing financial uncertainty during the COVID-19 crisis, refinancing your home loan is a viable option for those looking to save money on their mortgage repayments or free up some cash, and you can…
Home loan refinancers are on the move and we look at reasons why this is happening now during COVID-19. The number of mortgage-holders looking to refinance their home loan has surged in recent weeks, as home owners take advantage of record-low interest rates. Recent data released by CoreLogic has shown that just over 75 per cent…
But don’t worry! It’s a good thing for most people. Previously, when applying for a home loan, banks and credit providers would only look at your ability to service the mortgage; so, basically, your income. That was before the introduction of Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR). Now, borrowers are assessed on their full financial history, including…
Your home loan repayment is most likely the biggest outlay in your everyday budget and it will continue to be for many years to come. Thankfully, there are ways you can potentially save on interest to help you reduce the length of time you need to pay off your home loan. But one often hidden…
Many first home buyers struggle to get into the property market. Here are some ways parents are providing much needed support. As the cost of housing has gone up, a growing number of parents are offering to help their children buy their first property. So, if you’re a parent looking to provide financial support to…
Cut through confusion and contact a lending specialist. Given the uncertainty created by COVID-19, many customers are wondering what finance options they have. A good first step is to reach out to a LJ Hooker Home Loans lending specialist as they can guide you through your options to manage your repayments and access any extra…
Many Australian’s still have their home loan with major bank lenders – and it could be costing them thousands of dollars each year. A large number of people simply let their home loan roll along because “they’re too busy to review it” or “it’s too hard to refinance”. For some they simply feel that “My…