Home Loans

The Reserve Bank has held the cash rate at its record low of 0.1 per cent at its September meeting, as continued Delta lockdowns curtail economic growth.

The low interest-rate environment and higher savings against less spending have meant many homeowners have been able to discharge their mortgages, for a range of reasons.

A single mortgage rate hike would be enough to push one in 20 homeowners into financial hardship, as financial counsellors are inundated with calls for support as lockdowns continue.

First-time buyers have had a window of opportunity to purchase property over the past year, if they were lucky enough to keep their jobs – but new figures show that’s under threat.

With millions of Australians under lockdown and the economic recovery faltering, an earlier than expected rise to interest rates is looking unlikely.

If house hunters have been shopping around for months, the latest series of lockdowns may prove to be worse news than any rate rise.

Property finance is riddled with terminology and jargon that can confuse even experienced buyers and sellers, but arming yourself with knowledge before making a move improves your chances of success.

When it comes to buying a home, it’s not just the deposit that first-home buyers have to save. There’s taxes, essential checks and legal fees too.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the official interest rate on hold, but flagged key changes to its bond buying program as the economy continues to rebound.

Home owners would see repayments surge over the next two years, with major banks tipping cash rate hikes far above Reserve Bank forecasts and despite the RBA tipped to hold on rates.