With the RBA lifting the cash rate three times already in 2026 — now sitting at 4.35% — the cost of your mortgage has almost certainly gone up. But there's a cost many Australians are paying that has nothing to do with the RBA, and everything to do with staying loyal to the wrong lender. It's called the mortgage loyalty tax, and in the current environment, it matters more than ever. What Is the Loyalty Tax? The loyalty tax isn't something the ATO levies. It's the name given t

Last week's Federal Budget grabbed most of the headlines, and rightly so. But there's a second story running alongside it that matters just as much to anyone thinking about a mortgage right now: the formalisation of the Big Four banks' 4.35% servicing baseline. These two developments — the Budget's tax overhaul and the new lending floor — are compounding each other in ways that create real challenges for borrowers. Here's what you need to know. The 4.35% Servicing Baseline: W

This week's Federal Budget wasn't just another set of policy tweaks. For property investors and aspiring home owners, it represents the most fundamental restructure of Australia's property tax system in decades. Paired with the RBA's current rate settings, the landscape has shifted significantly — and quickly. As your mortgage broker, it's my job to cut through the noise and tell you what this actually means for your situation. Let me walk you through the key changes. Negativ

It's the question on every homeowner's lips this month. And honestly? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no — so let's cut through the noise. Historically, fixing your rate has rarely paid off. And right now, the situation is even trickier: the banks have already moved. Fixed rates have been quietly lifted in anticipation of where the market is heading, which means the window many borrowers were hoping to jump through may have already closed. Where rates actually

The Decision The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised the official cash rate by 0.25%, from 3.60% to 3.85% — the first increase since November 2023. The unanimous decision was driven by inflation running hotter than expected (3.8% annually) and unemployment falling to 4.1%. Governor Michele Bullock said financial conditions were no longer tight enough to bring inflation back to target in a reasonable timeframe. More Hikes on the Way? All four major banks are tipping another

Australia mortgage and lending market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Four converging demographic forces each independently significant are collectively redefining who buys property, how they finance it, and what kind of support they need. 1. The Rise of the Entrepreneurial Workforce The composition of Australia workforce has shifted significantly over the past three decades. Between 2000 and 2025, total employment in Australia grew to approximately 14.7 million p

On a fortnightly basis I provide an indication of the lowest available rates for basic and professional package variable rate products. And for 1 year, 2 year and 3 year fixed rate products. The products are based upon LVR (Loan Value Ratio) on a loan amounts of $700,000-, $800,000- and $900,000- and a property price of $1,000,000-. These rates are current as at the time of publishing and can change at any time and is not an indication of an approval of any sort. They are for

Australian parents are changing how they support their adult children into the property market. Rather than handing over large cash deposits or signing on as loan guarantors, a growing number are choosing to fund professional buyers' agents instead — a quieter but arguably more strategic form of financial backing. According to Melinda Jennison, president of the Real Estate Buyers Agent Association of Australia (REBAA), there has been a steady uptick in first-home buyers arriv

What redraw actually is When you make extra repayments on your home loan, those funds reduce your outstanding loan balance. A redraw facility simply allows you to pull some of those extra repayments back out — but only if your lender agrees. That's an important distinction. Redraw funds are not classified as a deposit under Australian banking law, which means they are not protected under the federal government's Financial Claims Scheme (FCS), the guarantee that protects depos

As we head into 2026, Australian homeowners are facing some tough decisions about their properties. Recent research has revealed a significant trend: approximately one in four Australians are contemplating selling their homes over the next year. As your trusted mortgage broker, I want to help you understand what's driving these decisions and how it might affect your own property journey. The Numbers Tell a Story New data from Canstar shows that property owners across the coun

As a mortgage broker, one of the most common questions I hear from homeowners is: "How can I pay off my home loan sooner?" The answer often lies not just in how much you pay, but in how frequently you make those payments. Finding Your Ideal Payment Schedule When it comes to mortgage repayments, you typically have three options: monthly, fortnightly, or weekly. The key principle here is simple—since lenders calculate interest on a daily basis, making more frequent payments...

The expanded Home Guarantee Scheme has been making headlines, and for good reason. Since October, first home buyers can now purchase property with just a 5% deposit—no income caps, no placement limits, and higher property price thresholds. On paper, it sounds like a dream come true. In reality? It's more complicated than that. As a mortgage broker, I've been fielding countless questions about this scheme. While it's opened doors for some buyers, it's also creating situations

The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced its final monetary policy decision for 2025, and as widelyanticipated, the official cash rate will remain unchanged at 3.60% through December and into January2026. This marks the third consecutive month without movement and represents the first time in twelvemonths that we've seen the cash rate hold steady for more than two decision periods. What's Behind the Decision? The RBA's Monetary Policy Board reached a unanimous decision to

Here is a detailed comparison between the previous federal first home buyer scheme and the new scheme introduced in October 2025,...

On a fortnightly basis I provide an indication of the lowest available rates for basic and professional package variable rate products....

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Despite falling inflation and rate cuts, APRA has recently confirmed it will keep the mortgage serviceability buffer at 3 per cent. So...

Here are the 10 most effective strategies to reduce your loan term and minimize interest payments as an Australian homeowner: 1. Switch...

There's one type of loan that acts like financial poison in your credit file - and it's not what you think. It's not a massive personal...

The expanded First Home Guarantee scheme represents a significant opportunity for aspiring homeowners, but successfully navigating the...