Home loan news and advice

Orange Credit Union's newest variable home loan product is 156 basis points (bp) below the average variable home loan rate for owner occupiers, according to Mozo’s database. 

Westpac has become the latest lender to lift interest rates on a number of its fixed home loans after announcing a 10 basis point increase yesterday.

Two of Australia’s largest lenders, Commonwealth Bank and ING, have joined the growing list of lenders which have recently reduced variable home loan rates after announcing cuts last Friday.

While the gradual easing of Covid restrictions is welcome news for many, it might pose a problem for renters’ budgets.

As anyone who has recently walked around their neighbourhood will be able to attest to, there seems to be no shortage of home renovations going on at the moment. At least, the number of utes parked in streets and scaffolding on houses would point towards that.

Buying an apartment seems straightforward enough, until you check below the surface. Not all apartments are created equal. 

Key report facts:

The last two years of housing price rises and home loan interest rate reductions would make any prospective homeowner’s head spin. All the ups and downs – coupled with the financial uncertainty which a global pandemic brings – may have left you wondering if now is really the best time to buy or not. 

Low cost online mortgage lender Athena has rolled out fixed rate home loans to compliment its existing variable rate offers.

A recent surge in switching among Australian property investors has helped lift the amount of mortgage refinancing being undertaken to record levels.