The latest inflation figures are a timely reminder that while the headline numbers grab attention, it’s what’s driving them beneath the surface that really matters for interest rates, household budgets, and ultimately property markets. According to the latest data, headline inflation jumped to an annual rate of 4.6% in March, up from 3.7%. ABS CPI…
We have all heard the saying that a fool and his money are soon parted. I know some smart reader will think – “ How did the fool get his money in the first place? But putting that aside, you’re likely to have come across a few people who despite having the trappings of being…
We’re about to face one of the biggest financial shifts in Australian history, and it won’t come from the stock market, government policy, or even migration. Instead, it will come quietly, gradually and inevitably as Baby Boomers pass on their wealth to younger generations. This so-called “inheritance tsunami” will see close to $5 trillion transferred…
Just when many borrowers thought the worst of the rate hiking cycle might be behind them, Westpac has thrown a curveball, signalling we could be heading into a far more prolonged and painful phase of tightening than most expected. Well, Westpac has upped its cash rate forecast for the year, tipping the RBA will deliver…
Australia’s housing loan market is facing potential headwinds, particularly in the investor segment, amid speculation around changes to the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discount for investors and a cap on negative gearing. Despite that, according to Money.com.au’s latest State-by-State Mortgage Insights Report, home lending growth is forecast to hit 7% in 2026 (to 594,279 loans),…
Something interesting has just happened in the interest rate debate. For months Australians were told the worst of the interest rate cycle was behind us. Inflation was easing, the economy was slowing, and many commentators were confidently predicting rate cuts sometime in the near future. But suddenly the narrative has flipped. Two of Australia’s largest banks…
There’s been a dramatic shift in Australia’s mortgage market over the last year, and if you’re a strategic investor, it’s worth paying attention. According to the latest data from Money.com.au, we’ve just witnessed a record-breaking year for investor loans, with over 205,000 new loans issued nationally. That’s a 9% year-on-year increase, surpassing the previous peak…
If you’ve been wondering who’s really driving Australia’s property market right now, the latest lending figures give us a very clear answer. First home buyers are making a comeback. But here’s the twist… they’re coming back armed with bigger loans than ever before, in a market where investors are also doubling down and refinancing activity…
One of the tricks to making money from your investment property is to buy well. Now, that sounds like a fairly obvious point but you’d be surprised by how many investors and homebuyers (and all homebuyers should think like investors at the end of the day) pay too much for their properties – even in…
Imagine reaching retirement age, finally ready to enjoy the fruits of decades of hard work, only to realise you’re still sending monthly repayments to the bank. That’s the unsettling reality facing a growing number of Australians, as homeownership is being delayed later and later in life. For generations, the great Australian dream was simple: buy…
