The 2026–27 Help to Buy income threshold is one Scheme eligibility check. A participating lender still assesses your finances, the property and the loan application.

The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme does not supply the missing deposit. It guarantees part of the participating lender's risk while the buyer remains responsible for the loan.

Lower open-home attendance may give buyers more time to inspect and negotiate, but property condition, contract terms and lender valuation still need separate checks.

Combined-capital prices fell in the June quarter, but a buyer's safe limit still depends on serviceability, comfortable repayments and cash reserves.

A home-loan pre-approval assesses your current finances, but final approval can still depend on the property, the lender's valuation and updated checks.

Australia’s cash rate is currently 4.35%, with the next RBA update due on 11 August. When rates are high, a home-loan feature matters only if the way you use it creates more value than it costs. Offset and redraw can both reduce interest, but the money sits in different places. Offset account This is a separate transaction account linked to the mortgage. On most home loans, interest is calculated daily after subtracting the offset balance from the loan balance. A $500,000 loa

Australia’s 5% Deposit Scheme has expanded. Eligible first-home buyers may be able to purchase with a deposit as low as 5% and avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Places are uncapped and income caps have been removed, but buyer eligibility, property price caps, participating-lender rules and normal credit assessment still apply. That can lower the entry barrier. It does not mean the full cash target is only 5% of the property price. Before buying, separate four amounts: 1. Depo

Australia’s cash rate remains at 4.35%, with the next RBA rate update due on 11 August. Instead of spending the week predicting rates, use today to write down four numbers that directly affect household cash flow. Number one: your real housing cost Do not stop at the mortgage repayment. Average council rates, strata or body corporate fees, insurance and basic maintenance into a monthly figure. That shows how much of your income the home actually uses. Number two: next week’s

Australia’s housing market has cooled, some open homes are quieter and vendor discounting has increased. Buyers may have more time to compare, but a reduced asking price is not a reason to skip the homework. Make four checks at today’s inspection: 1. Inspect the property, not the styling Look for cracks, water marks, drainage, window condition, damp smells and heating or cooling issues. The furniture leaves; repair costs stay. 2. Ask about ownership costs Along with repayment

There was plenty of financial news this week. For people preparing to buy, refinance or review the family budget, the useful question is: “What could change my borrowing position or monthly repayments?” First, interest rates are still high. Australia’s cash rate is 4.35%. Instead of trying to call the next move, test your budget at today’s rate and again at a slightly higher rate. The gap shows how much breathing room you have. Second, a cooler property market does not make e

— they are often afraid of choosing the wrong funding. Recent data shows a widening gap. Large businesses are still expanding, while Australian SME business-loan growth was almost flat at about 0.5% in June. SME asset-finance demand also fell by about 5.6%. That does not mean business owners have no need for funds. Often, uneven cash flow makes a new repayment feel risky. Before applying, check four things: 1. Define the purpose Equipment, seasonal stock and a short cash-flow

Mortgage news has been getting louder, with some lenders cutting selected home loan rates and competing for borrowers. For first-home buyers, it is easy to feel excited: “Should I start inspecting?” “Which bank has the lowest rate?” “Which property type is best?” But the first question is not which option is best. It is which option fits your income, budget and lifestyle. 1. FHOG eligibility First Home Owner Grant rules are different in each state. Some apply only to new home

This week, the mortgage market has been noisy. The RBA cash rate is still high, but some lenders have started cutting selected home loan rates. At the same time, auction clearance rates in several markets remain softer, so buyers may feel they have more room to compare. That sounds like good news. But before you spend the weekend rushing through open homes, check the basics first. 1. A lower rate does not mean you can automatically borrow more Lenders still look at income, sp

The Australian property market feels a little quieter than before. Auction clearance rates have softened, buyers are more cautious, and some homes are no longer selling as quickly as they did during hotter market conditions. For first-home buyers, that can sound like good news. But before getting too excited, it is worth slowing down. A quieter market does not mean every home is suddenly cheap. It also does not mean you should inspect, fall in love, and make an offer without

Weekend open homes can be easy to fall for. Great natural light. A new kitchen. A sunny balcony. A cafe around the corner. And suddenly your brain starts playing: "I could live here." But in the current Australian property market, buyers are a little more cautious than before. Softer auction clearance rates can give buyers more time to compare, think, and prepare. That is a good thing, as long as you are not inspecting with emotion only. Before this weekend's open inspections

When you're thinking about buying a home, refinancing, or investing in property, one of the first questions you might ask is: How much can I borrow? Understanding your borrowing power is a crucial step in planning your finances and making informed decisions. It helps you set realistic expectations and choose the right loan options tailored to your needs. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essentials of borrowing power, explain how lenders assess it, and share practical