Albo re-elected: what’s on the board for home buyers and owners?
The votes have been cast and it’s clear Labor will hold the reins of federal government for another 3-year term. We look at what this may mean for first home buyers and current home owners. As the election dust settles, it’s time to get back to business as usual. But there could be a few […]
Myth buster: do weekly repayments pay off an offset loan faster?
There’s a common misconception around offset account home loans that making loan repayments more frequently helps to pay off the balance much sooner. We bust that myth and reveal the real secret to harnessing the power of your offset account. You may have heard that making repayments more frequently, say weekly instead of monthly, helps pay […]
Could US tariffs be good news for Aussie home owners?
Tariff-triggered cuts to interest rates could be just around the corner, with Australian borrowers the likely winners if they come to fruition. US trade policies have hit media headlines this month following Donald Trump’s controversial tariff announcements on 2 April. The flow of tariff announcements coming out of the US has rattled share markets globally, […]
Election 2025: what’s on offer for first home buyers?
Australians will head to the polls on May 3, and with housing affordability shaping up as a key election issue, we unpack how the two major parties are pledging to help first home buyers. Housing affordability has reached boiling point. Both Labor and the Coalition agree on this. But they’re offering different solutions for first […]
Home owners notch up gains of $230,000 in just 5 years
Did you know that the average home owner saw their property’s value rise $46,000 per year over the past five years? Today we’ll look at ways you could put that recent increase in equity to further use. The five years since 2020 have seen plenty of action. From the pandemic (let’s not go there again), […]
Why 1-in-2 families are thinking of refinancing
The RBA may have swiped left on an April rate cut, but plenty of home owners are taking matters into their own hands by refinancing to save on interest with a lower rate. There’s nothing like a rate cut to put a spring in home owners’ steps. February’s 0.25% rate cut, for instance, saw consumer sentiment jump […]
Sounds of silence: how traffic noise can impact property values
‘Close to public transport’ is often touted as a plus for home buyers. But new research shows just how much close proximity to a busy road, railway or flight path can impact property values. Location, location, location. When you’re hunting for a new home, most people are on the lookout for an abode that’s close […]
5 fun (and budget-friendly) ideas for an Easter staycation
This Easter offers more than chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. It brings a rare mega-holiday, and if your budget doesn’t stretch to a trip away, check out our tips to enjoy a memorable getaway – at home. Fun fact: 2025 sees the Easter public holidays fall in the same week as Anzac Day. That […]
Low cost renos to help keep your home cosy this autumn
It’s been a long, hot summer, but the seasons are shifting and it’s time to prepare for the cooler months ahead. A few simple improvements could help keep your home snug without overheating your power bills. It’s almost time to pack away the boardies, swap sarongs for sweaters and cross from cricket to footy. As […]
Was that the shortest property downturn ever?
The so-called market ‘downturn’ we saw over the last few months was a blink-and-you-miss-it affair. Home prices are once again on the up. We unpack what’s happening – and why now could be a good time to buy. Jeepers. That didn’t last long. Back in early January, CoreLogic declared Australia’s housing market had entered a downturn after […]
