How to turn your new-build dreams into reality
There’s no better feeling than living in a brand new home – it’s fresh, clean and it’s all yours. But financing a new-build works very differently from buying an established home. Here’s what you need to know. There’s a lot to love about home ownership, and it’s especially exciting when you’re building a place of your own from scratch. You have the freedom to select your preferred design, personalise the finishes, and then watch as your new home steadily comes to life from th
Could your home loan pre-approval be out of date?
Having loan pre-approval can be a smart move for home buyers. But the recent Reserve Bank cash rate hikes could leave your pre-approval in need of an update. There’s a lot to love about home loan pre-approval. It shows how much a bank will let you borrow for a home – that’s your ‘borrowing power’. Pre-approval also indicates you’re a serious buyer, providing extra bargaining clout in price negotiations. And while pre-approval typically only lasts for three to six months, that
Why buyers are defying rate hikes and rising fuel prices
Rate hikes and soaring fuel prices aren’t dampening home buyer enthusiasm, with a strong majority of Aussies still believing the time to buy is now. We look at why home-buying sentiment remains so high. Petrol prices have been stealing the headlines lately. But behind the scenes, Aussie homes have been notching up fresh gains. Over the past year, home values rose 9.9% nationally – the fastest 12-month growth since June 2022. And despite the current fuel crisis and two rate h
One-in-five investors snatch up interstate properties
Is the grass really greener on the other side? Maybe. Australia has seen a surge of investor activity in recent years, with investment loans reaching record highs. But as home prices rise, plenty of investors are looking beyond their own backyard and making interstate purchases. Australian homes have delivered plenty of pluses for investors in recent years . Vacancy rates are low and rents are rising across much of the country. Strong price growth has seen more than 93%
5% Deposit Scheme helps more than 300,000 Aussies buy a first home
Buying a first home doesn’t have to mean years of eating beans on toast while you scrape together a 20% deposit. Here’s how you could break into the property market with just a 5% deposit. The Australian government’s 5% Deposit Scheme has been around since 2020, and in that time it’s been a game-changer for more than 300,000 first home buyers . That’s because the scheme offers a chance to buy a first home with a 5% deposit – or as little as 2% for single parents. The scheme
