Australian property prices might be falling, but getting on the property ladder can still be challenging. The biggest hurdle? Saving a 20% deposit – which can take years of scrimping, particularly if you’re paying rent simultaneously. However, if you are prepared to pay lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI), you might be...
Now might be first home buyers’ best chance to break into the market
It’s not been called the great Australian dream for nothing. But in recent years, buying your first home has become increasingly harder. The biggest challenge? Saving a deposit – with the most recent ANZ CoreLogic Housing Affordability Report finding it takes, on average, more than 11 years for a first...
Applications open for Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee
Here’s some great news for regional Australians who want to get on the property ladder: 10,000 new places are now available under the federal government’s Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee. The scheme began on 1 October 2022, three months ahead of schedule. With many young Australians making the move to...
Why are millennials making a big move to the regions?
Traditionally, there’s been a perception that young Australians want to live in our capital cities, thanks to the career opportunities, buzzing nightlife and vibrant lifestyle. But new data from the Commonwealth Bank and the Regional Australia Institute’s Regional Movers Index has turned that notion on its head. The index found...
Labor’s Plans to Tackle Worsening Housing Affordability
Many Australians are locked out of the property market. The latest ANZ-CoreLogic Housing Affordability report estimated dwelling values were, as of March 2022, a record 8.5 times higher than the median annual household income. Now compare that to March 2020, pre-pandemic, when the ratio was sitting at 6.8. However, despite...
4 simple ways to save for a home deposit
Given the median value of a home in Melbourne was over $800,000 in April, it’s no wonder that getting on the property ladder can seem tough. Your biggest challenge? Saving that all-important deposit – which can take years of scrimping and saving. But all is not lost. With a solid...
First home loan deposit scheme – in simple terms
So we heard on the radio today that over 70% of Aussies see homeownership for first home buyers as almost impossible nowadays. And it makes sense. Now to be fair, we're not sure if it’s actually home prices that are the issue or stagnant wages. Perhaps a bit of both?...
Suburbs that are cheaper to buy than rent
Sometimes, when you’re a first home buyer, it’s cheaper to buy than rent. In other words, if you were to buy a property in the suburb where you were currently living, the monthly mortgage repayments would be less than your current monthly rent. NAB has identified a series of Melbourne...
Melbourne property prices
Melbourne property prices increased by another 1.3% in July, according to CoreLogic. That latest rise takes the median value to $762,068 – 10.4% higher than the same time last year. However, there are signs the booming market is losing steam with the national monthly growth rate trending lower since March....
First home buyers
First home buyer activity is almost at record levels. Why? Because now is a very good time to be a first home buyer.Interest rates have never been lower. State governments are offering grants and stamp duty concessions. And the federal government has three schemes to help first home buyers: First...