We live in unconventional times. The Australian economy has borne the fallout of the pandemic spread of Covid-19. And in response, the Reserve Bank made an out-of-schedule cut in interest rates to a record low 0.5 per cent, as well as making significant steps towards implementing a program of quantitative easing. “Before the coronavirus hit, […]
Australia’s cash rate is at its lowest level in history. Does that mean the time is right to make the most of the low cash rate environment and refinance your mortgage? When discussing the Reserve Bank of Australia’s February decision to hold rates, Governor Philip Lowe was unambiguous in his take. If you took your […]
Building a new home that looks and feels just right – or making big changes to the place you live – is a goal for many. But it can be a more complicated process and a very different experience to buying an existing property. And it can require a specific type of financing – a […]
There are a range of home loans available in Australia, so it can be hard to understand their features and whether they are right for you. This guide explains all you need to know. Variable loans Variable loans are loans that are subject to interest rate fluctuations. Whenever your bank increases or decreases interest rates, […]
If you are buying or selling a property, the settlement period is when you will deal with finances and paperwork to legally transfer ownership of the property. Your financial and legal reps will handle the hard stuff but knowing what is involved is key to a smooth settlement. Here we guide you through it. Before […]
Australian interest rates are at a record low, in part because global rates are also at or near historic lows. While the goals of the RBA’s monetary policy are domestic, international factors often influence local decisions. Several signs over Christmas and the new year pointed to the Reserve Bank of Australia cutting rates to a […]
The barriers a first home buyer faces when entering the property market are well documented. So, will the government’s new First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) help, or not? Here’s a guide to who’s eligible, how it will work and what the new scheme may mean for the housing market. Have you got a spare […]
Low rates mean those with mortgages may be breathing a sigh of relief, but low interest on savings accounts make it much harder to save and grow your money. Have you checked the amount of interest you’re getting your savings accounts recently? Chances are it’s sitting around 1%. The RBA’s record-low interest rate is designed […]
For lenders, the ideal customer has a steady income, ongoing employment and the ‘right’ paperwork. Here’s what you can do to get a loan in the gig economy. From launching a start-up, to contracting in the ‘expert economy’ or just renting out the spare room as an Airbnb, more and more Australians have sources of […]
Since the start of the financial year, the RBA has cut rates to an unprecedented 0.75%. What happens if rates crash through zero and into negative territory? In August, Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe told Federal Parliament’s Standing Committee on Economics that the RBA was prepared to do “unconventional things” to kick-start a flailing economy. […]