What’s your debt-to-income ratio? And why do lenders care about it?
New data from the lending watchdog reveals almost one in four new mortgages are risky. How are they deemed risky? Well, it’s got something to do with your debt-to-income ratio, which we’ll explain in this week’s article.
It’s on! First home loan deposit schemes open for applications
If you’d like to buy your first home with just a 5% deposit and pay no lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), then you better act quick, as thousands of first home buyers are expected to rush to apply for the limited spots up for grabs.
Australian house prices falling but worse to come
Average property prices across Australia’s capital cities fell for the third month in a row in July. The monthly fall, of 0.8%, means capital city prices have fallen 2% on average since their peak in April 2020i. AMP Capital chief economist and head of investment strategy Dr Shane Oliver says average property prices rose by […]
So, who’s eligible for the $25,000 HomeBuilder scheme?
You might have heard that the federal government will give eligible Australians $25,000 to build or substantially renovate homes as part of the new HomeBuilder scheme. Today we’ll look at who exactly can qualify for the initiative.
Bank loyalty can cost existing borrowers: ACCC report
Loyalty is an admirable trait when it comes to our friends, family and loved ones. But if you’re extending that virtue to the banks, then there’s a good chance it’s costing you thousands of dollars.
Is the housing market finally about to reach rock bottom?
‘Are we there yet?’ That seems to be the million dollar question on everyone’s lips. Today we’ll take a look at whether or not the property market is finally starting to stabilise, as well as when we might start seeing some positive changes in the market.
5 ideas to help first home buyers break into the property market
While housing affordability is improving across the country, for many young first home buyers cracking into the property market can feel like breaking into a fortress. Here are five ideas that can help bust down that door.
Why is the bank saying I can’t service a loan?
A question we often get goes something along the lines of: ‘I make my repayments on time, and I save $1,000 per month, why is the bank saying I can’t service a loan?’ Here’s how banks conduct loan serviceability.
Is it better to buy an investment property or home first?
There’s a lot to consider when buying an investment property or home, especially for the first time. Have you been saving for a long time and feel ready to get into the property market? Maybe you’re considering buying a home to live in or investing in a property you can rent out to somebody else. […]
Putting the property price dip into perspective
Sure, the value of the average Australian home may have fallen for nine consecutive months, but it’s far from doom and gloom. Let’s put it all in a bit of perspective.