Tracey Franco

Money habits that may raise lenders’ eyebrows

November 8, 2023

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…

What is the fixed-rate cliff and how can refinancing help?

November 8, 2023

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…

Homeowners brace as RBA raises cash rate to 3.85%

November 8, 2023

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…

Does First Time Home Buyer Loan Have More Risk?

November 8, 2023

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…

Property listings and prices are bouncing back

November 8, 2023

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…

A Comprehensive Guide to Personal Loan Rights and Understanding Key Terms

March 16, 2023

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.…

Got an eagle eye on house prices? Rate rises are only part of the story

March 15, 2023

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…

Homeowners feel the pinch as RBA lifts cash rate to 3.60%

March 7, 2023

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the official cash rate for a tenth straight meeting, taking it to 3.60%. How much will this rate hike increase your monthly mortgage repayments, and how many more rate rises are expected to come? The RBA’s latest move takes the cash rate to its highest level since May…

The latest twist in the tale of national property prices: explained

March 2, 2023

The property market has had more plot twists than a daytime soap opera in recent years. So getting the skinny on current trends is helpful when you’re planning to buy. Here’s the lowdown on the latest surprising bit of data. Despite all the media doom and gloom predicting that the Australian housing market would tank…

Take the heat off rate hike fears with these 4 tips for buyers

February 22, 2023

Have recent rate hikes made you nervous about taking the plunge into the property market? You’re not alone; it’s a buyer’s market for a reason. Here’s how to stay cool and calm when buying your next property.  As you’ve probably seen in the news, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the official cash…