An alarming 72% of Australians between the ages of 18 and 34 have given up the dream of home ownership, according to a survey by the Sydney Morning Herald. Overall, 63% of Australians believe homes have become unaffordable for young people, compared to 57% a year ago. And 49% of...
How to get a home loan when you’re a business owner
If you’re not an employee, it may be more difficult to get a home loan. Home loan lenders may think there’s more risk involved because your income may be unpredictable or irregular. Also, it may be harder for them to verify your employment. Consequently, some mortgage lenders will demand a...
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...
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...
Four tips to help with the cost of living crunch
The financial squeeze is well, and truly on, as rising interest rates, skyrocketing fuel prices and climbing food costs all take their toll. Few will be immune to the pinch, with new NAB research finding many Australians are making big changes to their spending behaviours due to the rising cost...
What expenses can investors claim on their investment property?
Every year, the Australian Taxation Office announces its key focus areas for tax time. And almost every time, investment property income and deductions make the list as problem areas in which taxpayers commonly make mistakes. ATO assistant commissioner Tim Loh said that all property investors should make sure they include...
Why now might be a great time to think about refinancing
What would you say if we told you some home loan lenders are so desperate for your business that they will hand you thousands of dollars in cash if you refinance your home mortgage with them? Even better, this money can be spent any way you like – whether that's...
How to make the most of your home’s equity
It might not feel like it, but Australians have never been as wealthy. Household wealth skyrocketed by $590 billion over the September 2021 quarter to hit a record $13.9 trillion, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ most recent figures. Wealth per capita rose to a record high of $540,000....
Top 20 real estate suburbs in Australia
Well Home Loans have identified the top 20 suburbs in Australia showing telltale signs that strong price growth is just around the corner in the lender’s quarterly Green Shoots Report (see image). The report identified the suburbs based on the strongest combination of three key factors over the last three...