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Five rate rises in 2026 have certainly strained many household budgets around the country. So what can you do about it? Debt consolidation is one option that may be worth a look. Here’s what’s involved. November saw homeowners slugged with a fifth rate hike in just 10 months. And, not surprisingly, plenty of talk has been centred around managing higher home loan repayments. But here’s the thing. You may have other types of debts with far higher interest rates. Let’s look at h

Mortgage holders are once again left holding the bag on Melbourne Cup Day with the RBA lifting the cash rate to 4.85%, its highest level in 18 years. If your repayments are starting to bite, here’s how we could help you rein in your interest rate. Following hikes in February, March, May and September, this latest 0.25% increase takes the cash rate to 4.85%, a level we haven’t seen since November 2008. Not exactly a prosperous time. The RBA’s Monetary Policy Board said in a st

First homebuyers are rethinking their path to property. We reveal how the ownership dream is evolving, and the strategies first homebuyers are using to achieve their goals. When it comes to life goals, they don’t come much bigger than buying a first home. And while getting started on the property ladder has become more challenging in recent years, a survey by customer-owned bank NGM Group confirms it’s a goal Australians continue to strongly reach for. What is changing, is th

Eager to score a price discount on your home purchase? Of course you are. We reveal how much of a discount sellers are currently offering – and what you can do to flex your negotiating muscle. Today’s homebuyers have a chance to enjoy a rare double win – the savings of lower property prices in many areas, coupled with seller discounts (below the original asking price), averaging 4.4% across our state capitals. On today’s median capital city home value of $973,525, a 4.4% disc

What does Australia have in common with the United Kingdom and the Netherlands? In all three countries brokers facilitate more than 80% of new mortgages. We explain why. The numbers say it all. Last year, brokers in Australia arranged one home loan every 38 seconds. Why have brokers become the go-to partner for home loan help in Australia? The answer lies beyond initial home loan support, and can extend across your lifelong property journey. 82% of borrowers know they’re on

A fourth rate rise for 2026 has just made checking your home loan rate a priority. But what does a ‘good’ rate look like right now? We reveal what’s currently a competitive rate, and how you may be able to land one. Let’s not sugarcoat this. Four rate hikes in just eight months is leaving plenty of home owners facing the squeeze of higher-than-expected loan repayments. In fact, the cash rate is now sitting at 4.6%, a level not seen since 2011. The difference is that 15 years

Here we go again … The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised the cash rate for a fourth time this year to 4.60%. Check out this week’s article to find out why they felt the need to pass on more borrowing pain to mortgage holders. Following hikes in February, March and May, this latest 0.25% increase now brings the cash rate to the highest level it’s been in 15 years – since October 2011. The RBA’s Monetary Policy Board said in a statement that since the previous RBA meet

The federal budget introduced major tax reforms for property investors, but it may still be possible to enjoy the potential tax benefits of negative gearing. Here’s how it could be done. The 2026 Federal Budget may have changed many of the rules for property investors. But a rental property can still be an attractive long-term investment. And yes, you may still be able to benefit from negative gearing. The key lies in the type of property you buy. That’s because different rul

In today’s easing market, it may be tempting to wait for property prices to fall further. But it’s a strategy that could see first home buyers left disappointed. We explain why. There is no shortage of media headlines touting big falls in home prices. But the reality may be less sensational. While some property values at the luxury end of the market could be seeing price falls of up to 10%, it’s a very different picture at the more affordable end of the market. We look at wha

Australia’s peak property season is underway, and spring 2026 is shaping up as a buyers’ market. Here’s what the experts say we can expect in the weeks ahead. Spring is traditionally the biggest selling period of the year for real estate. It’s a season that can see more homes come onto the market, with listings rising, on average, by 15-20% compared to winter, as sellers take advantage of gardens that are in full bloom. This year, spring is starting out on a different footing

Several of the big banks have pivoted on their rate outlook, and are now predicting rate hikes (rather than no change or a fall) this side of Christmas. It could be a cue for homeowners to plan rather than panic. After three back-to-back rate hikes earlier this year, homeowners have enjoyed a welcome break from further rate rises in recent months. But the reprieve may be short-lived. Three of Australia’s four biggest home loan lenders have sounded the alarm on possible rate h

Property transactions involve big bucks – and that makes them a big target for scammers. With large sums of money at stake, we reveal what to look out for, and how to protect yourself from property settlement scams. Mention ‘scams’ and it’s easy to think of dodgy investment schemes or fake online stores that take your money and never deliver the goods. But scammers are getting smarter, and this Scams Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the dangers of property settlement scams.