Refinancing has been a hot topic lately, largely thanks to increasing interest rates over the last 12 months. But it's not just a buzzword or a magic fix; refinancing your mortgage is a financial decision that can significantly impact your future. Which begs the question: When does refinancing make sense?...
The Ultimate Guide to House Inspections
Buying a house is a thrilling journey, but amidst the excitement, there's a critical step you must never overlook: the house inspection. Just like the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover," this principle applies to house hunting as well. In this comprehensive guide, we'll unravel the art of...
Beat the Fixed Rate Mortgage Cliff
As an Australian homeowner, you may soon face a daunting challenge – the end of your fixed rate mortgage period. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is predicting that approximately half of borrowers with fixed-rate mortgages will transition to variable rates this year. It's crucial for these homeowners to take...
Five must-ask questions for your mortgage broker
Whether you’re looking to buy for the first time or are already a homeowner, finding a trusted and knowledgeable mortgage broker to secure the right home loan for your needs is crucial. The application process can be overwhelming, so make the most of your broker’s expertise by asking them the...
WIN your mortgage paid for a MONTH!
Living expenses and mortgage repayments starting to bite? We've got you covered. Imagine not having to pay your mortgage for a month! For the month of March, you could win your monthly mortgage repayment paid by NMC Finance (up to $5,000*). Simply enter in any of the following ways: Refer...
When will interest rates go down?
The Reserve Bank of Australia caused few surprises when it lifted the country’s official interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.35% in February. After all, annual inflation jumped by 7.8% over the December quarter, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. That’s not just a 32-year high; it’s also...
What first home buyers need to know about lender’s mortgage insurance
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...
What does the federal budget mean for Australian real estate?
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered Labor's first federal budget in almost a decade, in which he emphasised the government was making “hard decisions for hard times.” But despite this, there was one eye-catching announcement for Australia’s real estate industry: a new National Housing Accord, which sets an ‘aspirational’ target of...
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...
Why higher interest rates might ultimately benefit homebuyers
The Reserve Bank of Australia might have raised the cash rate by 250 basis points since May to 2.60% – the quickest tightening in nearly three decades – but a senior central bank official has claimed higher interest rates could ultimately benefit new homebuyers. In a recent speech, Jonathan Kearns, the...