Finance Lab

Bank of Mum and Dad: why a written agreement can make sense

Finance Lab — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:13:13 +0000

With more first home buyers relying on family support to get into the market, we explain why it may be beneficial to put the details in writing if Mum and Dad offer a financial helping hand. Higher home prices are seeing more first homebuyers turn to family members for help buying a place of their own. That …

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New financial year, new reasons to review your home loan

Finance Lab — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:27:21 +0000

As the calendar flips over to July, now’s a good time to give your home loan a once-over. We look at five strategies that could help you save on interest and pay off your mortgage sooner. With three rate hikes already this year, and a big variation in rates between lenders, it’s worth checking you’re not paying too …

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How the property market is shaping up in your area post budget night

Finance Lab — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:28:55 +0000

It’s just over a month since the Federal Government unveiled its tax reforms on budget night. Here’s how property values are responding across the major cities. The proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax came as a big shock for property investors around the country – both current and prospective. Despite the understandable …

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Record smashed: over 80% of buyers turn to a broker for help

Finance Lab — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:03:22 +0000

The mortgage broking industry has notched up an exciting record with the news that brokers now account for 81% of Australia’s residential lending market. Here’s why. For some time now, mortgage brokers have been tantalisingly close to clearing the 80% market share benchmark, and we’ve finally smashed our own previous record. We’re thrilled to announce …

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5 tips to help you clear your mortgage by retirement

Finance Lab — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:41:53 +0000

Worried you’ll still be paying off your mortgage in retirement? New research shows you’re not alone. Here are five tips to help clear the slate before you hang up your work boots. A new trend is emerging that could leave retired home owners with less money to spend than they expected. A recent study found …

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Not a housing “crash” – easing growth and plenty of buying opportunities

Finance Lab — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:38:12 +0000

House price growth is slowing but experts say not to expect a crash. We look at what’s changed, and why today’s market may offer good opportunities for homebuyers. Recent home price data from Cotality may be just what homebuyers have been waiting for. The latest figures show zero (0%) increase in home prices nationally in May – …

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Gen Z races into the property market

Finance Lab — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:15:38 +0000

A few tweaks to a popular first home buyer scheme has driven a “surge” in Gen Zs buying their first home. And it’s not the only upside giving first home buyers a boost now. The expansion of the popular 5% Deposit Scheme, combined with recent changes to rules for property investors, may be opening doors for …

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Home loan interest rate rising? There may be other options

Finance Lab — Wed, 20 May 2026 23:01:13 +0000

It was great while it lasted, but the rate cut party is well and truly over. Today we look at how you could potentially reduce your home loan interest rate without relying on the Reserve Bank. A string of rate hikes this year has pushed the cash rate back up to 4.35% – exactly where it was …

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Federal Budget 2026: how it could affect your property plans

Finance Lab — Thu, 14 May 2026 00:13:10 +0000

Reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax have been unveiled in the latest national budget. Here’s what they could mean for investors, first home buyers and home owners. The Albanese Government has tabled its budget for 2026-27, and tax reforms for property investors are top of the agenda. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says these reforms …

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Cash rate increases for the third time this year, now up to 4.35%

Finance Lab — Tue, 05 May 2026 05:04:14 +0000

The hits just keep coming for mortgage holders, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today raising the cash rate for a third time this year to 4.35%. If you’re starting to struggle with your mortgage repayments, here’s how you can potentially take action. Today’s 0.25% cash rate increase brings us in line with the …

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