At the February board meeting the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) provided no surprises by lifting the official cash rate by 0.25% to 3.85%. The Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Board has begun a new tightening cycle, increasing the cash rate for the first time in two years. On Tuesday afternoon (3 February), the Reserve Bank…
Buying a home can be one of the most exciting milestones in your life — but it can also feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to navigating the finance side of things. One phrase you’re bound to hear early in the process is “conditional approval” (sometimes also called pre-approval). Understanding what it means — and…
At the December board meeting the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) provided no early Christmas present to home owners and kept the official cash rate on hold. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced that the official cash rate will remain on hold for the next couple of months, after keeping it steady at…
As the tinsel goes up and holiday shopping begins, it’s easy to let the fun of the season push financial caution to the background. But the good news is: you don’t have to miss out on celebration to keep your home‑loan position strong. A few well‑timed, smart moves now will help you head into the…
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial steps you’ll take. Having a solid strategy, understanding the key stages, and working with the right people can make the process smoother and put you in a stronger position. Here’s what to focus on. 1. Build Your Deposit – The Bigger the Better While some…
As we look toward 2026, the renovation landscape is evolving — driven by changing lifestyles, sustainability goals, and shifting buyer expectations. Whether you’re renovating to stay, sell, or simply refresh your space, planning with the future in mind will help you get more value from your project. Here are five key tips to guide your…
When you’re preparing to buy a property — whether it’s your first home, your next home, or an investment — one of the most important questions is: How much can I borrow? Your borrowing power determines what price range you can realistically aim for and how comfortable your repayments will be. Lenders look at your…
When you’re navigating the home loan market, one of the key decisions is whether to go with a standard principal & interest (P&I) loan (where you repay part of the loan plus interest) or an interest-only (IO) loan (where during a set period you pay only interest). Let’s dive into how interest-only loans work in…
At the November board meeting the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has kept the official cash rate on hold – dashing hopes for a Cup Day rate cut. Following on from the November meeting the RBA basically ruled out any further change to the cash rate in 2025, meaning mortgage holders will need to wait…
Buying a home is more than just finding the right street, school zone or mortgage rate. For many Australians today, it means finding a home that’s kinder on the planet and kinder on your power bills. Green home loans – also called eco mortgages, energy-efficient home loans or sustainable mortgages – are increasingly relevant. Here’s…