Tracey Franco
Time to jump in? First home buyer deposit saving times plunge
Home loan headlines have been, let’s face it, a bit of a downer of late. But the good news is that first-home buyers are now reaching their 20% deposit goal faster. First home buyers have been delivered a bit of well-deserved good news with the findings of the 2023 Domain First Home Buyer Report. The analysis…
Read MoreHomeowners brace as RBA raises cash rate to 3.85%
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the official cash rate for the 11th time in the past year, taking it to 3.85%. Have we finally reached the peak of this cycle? And how much will this latest rate hike increase your monthly repayments? In what will undoubtedly be tough news for many households…
Read MoreTips to help stay on top amidst the rate hike cycle
With every RBA rate rise announcement, mortgage holders brace themselves for impending repayment increases. Here’s how to stay on top of your mortgage and feel financially secure. Let’s face it, the RBA’s rate rise cycle hasn’t been painless for mortgage holders, with average monthly repayments now hundreds of dollars (and in some cases, thousands of…
Read MoreProperty listings and prices are bouncing back
As property prices start to climb, listings are following suit. So if you’re hunting for a home, what does this mean for you? If you’ve been looking at the property market over the last six to 12 months, you probably already know that while property prices have dropped, it’s been a case of slim pickings…
Read MoreDoes First Time Home Buyer Loan Have More Risk?
Purchasing a house is undoubtedly a significant financial step in one’s life. It can be extremely intimidating to consider buying a property given the increasing cost of housing, interest, and lifestyle. If you’re a first-time home buyer, you may even be concerned about the possibility of a higher interest rate or other ownership-related issues. It…
Read MoreWhat is the fixed-rate cliff and how can refinancing help?
You’ve probably heard the term “fixed-rate cliff” bandied about in finance news feeds. But what is it? And if you’re about to head over it, how can you prepare for a soft landing? A staggering 880,000 fixed-rate loans are set to end this year, and when they do, many Australian households will be facing significantly higher…
Read MoreMortgage holders granted a reprieve as RBA puts interest rates on hold
And … exhale. After 10 straight rate hikes the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today decided to put the official cash rate on hold. But for how long? The decision to keep the official cash rate at 3.60% will be welcomed by homeowners around the country after monthly repayments increased by about $1000 per…
Read MoreMoney habits that may raise lenders’ eyebrows
We all know being on our monetary optimal behaviour can help to land a home loan. But did you know there are common spending habits you may have that are red flags to lenders? Smart money management and cutting back on expenses can help your home loan application. That’s no secret. But a bit of…
Read MoreA Comprehensive Guide to Personal Loan Rights and Understanding Key Terms
Every individual has their own desired financial goals and means to achieve them. For some, it may be to buy their first-ever car or house with a loan, while for others, it might be to pay for a big expense through a manageable monthly payment. One such credit you should know about is personal loans.…
Read MoreGot an eagle eye on house prices? Rate rises are only part of the story
Rate rises can affect the property market, as we’ve all seen of late. But there are other factors that appear to hold longer-term sway over national house prices. In a bid to bust inflation, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has been on a rate rise run that’s seen the official cash rate go from…
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