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After a challenging few years for household budgets, there’s some encouraging news for borrowers.New research from Roy Morgan shows mortgage stress has dropped to its lowest level since January 2023, indicating many households are starting to feel more comfortable with their repayments.Even so, now’s a good time to think ahead. Building a buffer into your loan can help protect you if rates, expenses or income change down the track.If you’re buying this year, don’t test your budget at today’s repayment only. A safer approach is to check whether you could still manage if rates rose, your expenses jumped or your income changed.If you already have a loan, you’ve got options if cash flow feels tight:Refinancing to reduce the rate or improve features.Restructuring (term, repayment type, offsets) to smooth repayments.Consolidating higher-interest debts so more of your money goes to the mortgage, not interest.Plenty of people feel cash flow pressure at times – it’s nothing to be ashamed of. The key is catching it early while you still have choices.If you want to sense-check your repayments or make your loan more comfortable, contact me and we’ll map out options that fit your situation.Need a home loan? Let’s chat.Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Chat to us today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Mortgage stress is down but stay proactive

Smart investing in 2026 may be less about pushing limits and more about keeping your lending options flexible.A few trends are already shaping how investors approach the year ahead:Tighter lending for bigger loans. From February, banks must limit how many higher debt-to-income loans they write, which may reduce borrowing power for some investors and make outcomes vary more from lender to lender.Rates still matter – even between Reserve Bank meetings. Lenders can change pricing and serviceability settings independently, which can affect your borrowing capacity and your cash flow.More investors are using alternative pathways. Self-managed super fund investing and rentvesting are staying popular for people balancing lifestyle choices with longer-term wealth building.With rules and lender settings moving around, the difference often comes down to which lender you use and how the loan is set up – repayment type, offset strategy, buffers and making sure today’s choice doesn’t block tomorrow’s plans.If you’re reviewing an investment loan or planning your next purchase, contact me and I’ll help you structure it with flexibility in mind.Need a home loan? Let’s chat.Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Chat to us today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Property investing in 2026: What’s shifting

If you’re shopping in the ‘affordable’ bracket, competition may be getting tougher, not easier.Since the federal government expanded the 5% Deposit Scheme in October 2025, Cotality analysis shows homes under the scheme’s price caps have generally outperformed homes above them. In the December quarter, median prices rose 3.6% under the cap versus 2.4% above the cap. Why would the lower end grow faster?Buyers moved early. Some people acted ahead of the official start date to buy before conditions got tighter.Borrowing limits are doing the steering. With serviceability still a hurdle, more buyers are gravitating toward properties that feel manageable week to week.Quick reality check before you rely on the schemePrice caps matter (and vary by location).Not every lender treats the scheme the same way.Your borrowing limit still depends on normal credit checks.If you’re considering a purchase under the 5% Deposit Scheme cap, contact me and I’ll check eligibility, lender participation and what the repayments look like.See if you qualify for the 5% Deposit SchemeHit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Chat to us today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Lower-priced homes are heating up

More investors are stepping back into the market – and the data shows it’s a big shift.The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the value of investor loan commitments jumped 17.6% in the September 2025 quarter, and was 18.7% higher than a year earlier.Investors now account for 40.6% of the value of all new loan commitments, the highest share since 2016. That tells us investor confidence is building, even as affordability pressures remain. What’s pulling investors back in?Price growth and rental demand are doing the heavy lifting.National dwelling prices rose 8.6% over 2025.Rents climbed 5.2% over the same period, supporting stronger rental income.Yields did edge lower, slipping from 3.7% at the end of 2024 to 3.6% at the end of 2025, because prices rose faster than rents. Even so, yields remain well above the pandemic low of 3.2% in 2021.For investors, yield is only one part of the equation. Borrowing capacity, cash flow buffers and loan structure also matter, because they determine how sustainable an investment is, not how profitable it looks on paper.If you’re thinking about investing, I can help you sense-check the numbers and see how an investment loan would stack up alongside your existing commitments.Run the numbers on an investment loan Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Chat to us today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Investors take larger share of lending

Borrowers hoping for more cuts next year may need to adjust expectations after a run of higher-than-expected inflation.The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept the cash rate at 3.60% in December, but inflation has climbed to 3.8% after four consecutive monthly increases. If inflation remains above the 2–3% target band in 2026, the RBA is unlikely to cut rates – and some economists warn the next move could even be up.Speaking after the decision, RBA governor Michele Bullock said: “I don't think there are interest rate cuts on the horizon for the foreseeable future.”Economist Warren Hogan went further, calling on the RBA to start hiking rates from the first quarter of 2026.How this affects your loan in 2026Coming off a fixed rate – Your repayments may jump. Reviewing your loan now can help you plan ahead and avoid pressure later.On a variable rate – Banks can change pricing independently of the RBA. A quick comparison may uncover a sharper rate or a more stable structure.Planning ahead – The next six months will be important as lenders adjust to shifting inflation expectations and new lending rules. Being proactive can help you stay in control of your repayments.If you’d like clarity on how the rate outlook affects you, I can review your loan and show you your options for the year ahead.If you’d like clarity on how the rate outlook affects you, I can review your loan and show you your options for the year ahead.Need a home loan? Let’s chat.Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Chat to us today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Rates on hold but outlook shifts

A major shared-equity scheme has finally launched, giving eligible buyers a new low-deposit pathway into the market.Help to Buy went live on 5 December, three years after it was first proposed. Under the scheme, the federal government contributes up to 40% of a new property’s purchase price and up to 30% of an existing home. Buyers need only a 2% deposit and pay no lenders’ mortgage insurance.Key eligibility pointsThe government takes an ownership share in your property.You must be an owner-occupier.Income thresholds apply – $100k for singles, $160k for single parents and joint applicants.Why buyers are considering itWhy buyers are considering itHelp to Buy can open doors for people who remain priced out even after using other schemes. By reducing upfront and ongoing costs, it can make buying sooner a realistic option.But there are trade-offsShared equity affects your long-term position, and lenders assess these applications differently. It’s important to compare this path with other ways into the market.Reach out if you’d like to see how Help to Buy compares with your other pathways into the market.Need a home loan? Let’s chat.Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Chat to us today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Help to buy opens new pathways

An impending change could reduce how much some borrowers can borrow – but the impact will vary widely between authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) that issue home loans.From 1 February 2026, ADIs must ensure no more than 20% of their new home loans go to borrowers whose loan size is six times their income or more. For context, that would mean a loan of more than $600,000 for someone earning $100,000 a year.The new rule aims to cool higher-risk lending and keep the financial system stable.What is an ADIAn ADI is a financial institution licensed by the government to hold your money, which includes all the major banks you know – CBA, Westpac, NAB and ANZ – along with many smaller banks, credit unions and building societies. Non-bank lenders aren’t ADIs because they don’t take deposits; they only offer loans.Five key takeawaysSome borrowing limits may tighten if your income and loan size sit near the threshold.Different ADIs, different results – lenders interpret the rules differently, so borrowing capacity can vary a lot.A bigger deposit helps – lowering the loan-to-income ratio can expand your options.Income matters – even a small rise can improve your position.Broker guidance is crucial – especially when lenders start applying their own internal policies on top of this new rule.Wondering how the changes affect your borrowing power? I can compare lenders and help you find a structure that fits your plans.Check your borrowing positionHit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Chat to us today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about New lending rules may affect borrowing

Low stock and rising prices are creating a tougher market for buyers but unexpected opportunities for homeowners.Australia’s median property price rose 1.0% in November and 3.1% over the quarter, according to Cotality. At the same time, SQM Research reports total listings fell 5.4% month-on-month and new listings dropped 11.3%. With fewer homes hitting the market, buyers are competing harder for what’s available. If you’re buyingExpect more competition – fewer listings mean faster sales.Pre-approval boosts your chances – sellers often choose buyers who can move quickly.Clarity is key – knowing your budget and non-negotiables helps you avoid overpaying.If you’re a homeownerYour equity may have grown – rising prices can improve borrowing options.Equity can unlock upgrades – refinancing, renovating or upsizing become more achievable.A quick equity check helps you plan – and shows what’s possible next year.If you want to check your borrowing position or understand how much equity you’ve gained, I can run the numbers and show you your options.Need a home loan? Let’s chat.Hit the button below to arrange a conversation with one of my loan specialists to find a deal that's best for your situation. Chat to us today We partner with over 50 lenders so you can find the perfect solutionFollow Facebook Linkedin Do you have questions about mortgages or loans?Ask us in the comments below … [Read more...] about Tight supply keeps prices climbing