Category Archives: Home Loans

What do I need to know about debt consolidation?

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Loan Hub, Property Investment | February 15, 2021 at 4:11 pm , by Urbantech

Not to confuse it with debt elimination. If you’re swamped with credit card debt and personal loans, it can sometimes help to talk to a professional about debt consolidation. However, you need to be wary. You might end up paying more in the long term and/or reduce the equity in...

The RBA’s interest rate statement for February 2021

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Market Updates, RBA Rate Decisions | February 2, 2021 at 9:54 pm , by Urbantech

At its meeting today, the RBA Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 0.10 per cent. Statement by RBA’s Philip Lowe: At its meeting today, the Board decided to maintain the targets of 10 basis points for the cash rate and the yield on the 3-year Australian Government bond,...

When would I refinance my mortgage?

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Loan Hub, Property Investment | January 25, 2021 at 3:58 pm , by Urbantech

Whenever it makes financial sense to do so. Heard about mortgage refinancing? In the past, most people who took out a mortgage doggedly continued with it until they had paid it off. These days, people refinance their mortgage much more frequently. The average duration of a home loan in Australia...

The RBA’s interest rate statement for December 2020

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Market Updates, RBA Rate Decisions | December 1, 2020 at 2:06 pm , by Urbantech

At its meeting today, the RBA Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 0.10 per cent. Statement by RBA’s Philip Lowe: At its meeting today, the Board decided to maintain the current policy settings, including the targets of 10 basis points for the cash rate and the yield on...

How COVID-19 has impacted on Australia’s property market

Posted in: Home Loans, Loan Hub, Property Investment | December 1, 2020 at 1:53 pm , by Urbantech

The RBA’s September announcement that the interest rate remains unchanged comes as no surprise. After all, RBA Governor Philip Lowe told parliament last month that he expects the current record low 0.25% interest rate to stay in place for three years. Low rates have long-term implications, but in the meantime,...

Low rates, high risk? Is it time for first home buyers to enter the market?

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Loan Hub | November 4, 2020 at 11:48 am , by Urbantech

With record low interest rates, a flattening housing market and repeated assertions from RBA governor Philip Lowe that a rates rise is not on the horizon, this may be the right time for first home buyers to strike. Following the August Reserve Bank (RBA) meeting, interest rates remain at 0.25%...

The RBA’s interest rate statement for November 2020

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Market Updates, RBA Rate Decisions | November 3, 2020 at 2:19 pm , by Urbantech

At its meeting today, the RBA Board decided to lower the cash rate by 15 basis points to 0.10 per cent. Statement by RBA’s Philip Lowe: At its meeting today, the Board decided on a package of further measures to support job creation and the recovery of the Australian economy...

Now you own your data: the new world of ‘open banking’ explained

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Loan Hub | October 27, 2020 at 11:35 am , by Urbantech

The promise of open banking is big; a new, simpler way to share your personal financial data between banks, lenders and financial companies. It started on July 1. Here’s how it works and what it means to take back control of your data to get the best rates and offers....

Back in Action: How long-term low interest rates could benefit your business

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Loan Hub | October 22, 2020 at 2:11 pm , by Urbantech

In late June, during an online panel discussion hosted by ANU’s Crawford School of Public Policy, RBA Governor Philip Lowe said what many had already assumed: “I think it’s likely we’re going to see interest rates at their current level for years”. So it was no surprise that rates have...

As low as it could go: is now the moment to fix your mortgage rate?

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Loan Hub | October 21, 2020 at 11:55 am , by Urbantech

Australia’s cash rate is now the lowest it has been in 23 years, a reaction initially to stunted economic growth and now to the impact of COVID-19 on the local and global economic landscape. As the uncharted negative interest rate zone looms, is it worth fixing your rate? Here’s what...

Future focused: apps and tools to track your finances

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Loan Hub | October 20, 2020 at 11:36 am , by Urbantech

It’s never a bad idea to have a little help managing your money – and when you’ve got monthly mortgage repayments to make, balancing the books is extra important. There’s a great range of apps and tools designed to help you budget, save and track your finances. And we’ve put...

The RBA’s interest rate statement for October 2020

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Market Updates, RBA Rate Decisions | October 6, 2020 at 7:01 pm , by Urbantech

At its meeting today, the RBA Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 0.25 per cent. Statement by RBA’s Philip Lowe: At its meeting today, the Board decided to maintain the current policy settings, including the targets for the cash rate, the yield on 3-year Australian Government bonds,...

The RBA’s interest rate statement for July 2020

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Market Updates, RBA Rate Decisions | July 8, 2020 at 11:56 pm , by Urbantech

At its meeting today, the RBA Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 0.25 per cent. Statement by RBA’s Philip Lowe: At its meeting today, the Board decided to maintain the current policy settings, including the targets for the cash rate and the yield on 3-year Australian Government...

The $25,000 HomeBuilder Grant explained…

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Market Updates, Property Sales | July 1, 2020 at 3:24 pm , by Urbantech

Last month the federal government revealed the details of its fourth economic stimulus package, to be worth a total of $680 million. Called the HomeBuilder program, it is a time-limited grant program designed to help the residential construction market bounce back from the Coronavirus crisis. How it works HomeBuilder will provide eligible...

The RBA’s interest rate statement for June 2020

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Market Updates, RBA Rate Decisions | June 3, 2020 at 2:21 pm , by Urbantech

At its meeting today, the RBA Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 0.25 per cent. Statement by RBA’s Philip Lowe: At its meeting today, the Board decided to maintain the current policy settings, including the targets for the cash rate and the yield on 3-year Australian Government...

Instant Asset Write-Off + Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme…

Posted in: Business Loans, Finance, Home Loans | June 2, 2020 at 12:57 pm , by Urbantech

Claiming the Instant Asset Write-Off of up to $150,000 One of the best tax breaks for small to medium sized business is the instant asset write-off, which is a great way for businesses to acquire capital assets and obtain an immediate tax deduction. As part of the Federal Government’s recent...

Getting it together: what to know before you consolidate

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Loan Hub | May 19, 2020 at 4:13 pm , by Urbantech

Managing multiple loans can be difficult – and stressful. One way to simplify your financial situation and save yourself time, effort and (hopefully) money is to centralise your debt. But it’s not always the right answer, so here’s what to consider before you consolidate. When you borrow money, the most...

Concerned about servicing your loans?

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Loan Hub | May 19, 2020 at 4:07 pm , by Urbantech

If you are concerned about servicing your loan, reach out to your local mortgage broker for help. As Australians everywhere take a close look at their financial circumstances, mortgage brokers stand ready to lend a helping hand. Whether experiencing financial hardship through job loss, a reduction in work hours, or...

Stop: taking a ‘mortgage holiday’ when rates are low

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Loan Hub | May 19, 2020 at 3:46 pm , by Urbantech

Taking a short-term break from paying off your mortgage isn’t a new idea, but as the bite of the COVID-19 pandemic grips harder and harder, more Australians are applying to do so. With the RBA’s cash rate held at a record low of 0.25%, what are the implications of pushing...

The RBA’s interest rate statement for May 2020

Posted in: Finance, Home Loans, Market Updates, RBA Rate Decisions | May 5, 2020 at 2:18 pm , by Urbantech

At its meeting today, the RBA Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 0.25 per cent. Statement by RBA’s Philip Lowe: At its meeting today, the Board decided to maintain the current policy settings, including the targets for the cash rate and the yield on 3-year Australian Government...