Financing
‘Worst of both worlds’: Mortgage affordability toughest since 1990s
Property price falls to date pale in comparison to rapidly rising mortgage rates when it comes to measuring housing affordability – and some locations are tougher than others.
- by Tawar Razaghi
Latest
The insider trick for home buyers trying to plan for higher interest rates
How high will interest rates go? Economist forecasts vary, but mortgage brokers are advising clients to look at a different number when they work out their budgets.
- by Elizabeth Redman
Glimmer of good news for homeowners facing a mortgage cliff
Although homeowners who fixed their mortgage rate at rock-bottom levels will face higher costs soon, new modelling shows how much they have saved.
- by Melissa Heagney
Home buyers’ budgets slashed by hundreds of thousands, pushing property prices down
A typical couple working full-time can spend $260,000 less at auction than five months ago – and the declines aren’t over yet.
- by Melissa Heagney
Serehnonn bought her first home but didn’t expect mortgage to go up six months later
First home owners who bought property at rock-bottom interest rates were assured rates would stay on hold until 2024, but now face a jump in their repayments as the cash rate lifts earlier than planned.
- by Tawar Razaghi and Melissa Heagney
Opinion
Inside China
Alarm bells are ringing as China’s property cancer spreads
The crisis in the property sector is one of China’s own making and it is getting deeper, sparking contagion fears for the rest of the economy.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
As rates rise, Daniel and Georgia feel safe as houses. For now
The new home buyers say they, like many, will have to cut back their spending on dining out and other discretionary expenses if rates continue to rise.
- by Kate Burke, Tawar Razaghi and Elizabeth Redman
‘Could stress your budget’: First-home buyers warned of hidden $11,000 sting
First-time buyers who manage to scrape enough of a deposit together to get into the pricey property market are being warned to do their sums with care.
- by Elizabeth Redman
The looming risk that could leave first-home buyers $20,000 out of pocket
Property prices have stopped rising in Sydney and Melbourne but first-home hopefuls keen to get into the market are being warned to watch out for a trap.
- by Elizabeth Redman
Sky-high prices push potential home buyers to borrow to the max
Interest rates could be going up two months from now, but some buyers are taking on as much debt as possible to try to get onto the ever-elusive property ladder.
- by Elizabeth Redman
Cautious banks could change approach to home loans in flood-prone areas
Home buyers in flood-hit areas face higher deposit requirements, reduced valuations, higher fees and delays in approval times. But access to information can help.
- by Elizabeth Redman