Home Loans Mortgage News

Westpac Group cuts new customer rates in a bid to boost its home loan book

Australia’s second largest bank, Westpac, has today cut its basic variable rate to 2.69 per cent, but the offer is solely reserved for new customers with a deposit of more than 30 per cent.

Liz SeatterJun 5, 2020( 4 min read )

RBA to hold: have home loan rates hit the bottom?

The Reserve Bank is expected to keep the cash rate on hold at 0.25 per cent when it meets today, but the rate cuts keep coming from the banks for new home loan customers.

Liz SeatterJun 2, 2020( 4 min read )

Home loans that love you back

We put a lot of love into our homes – it’s where we raise families, build lives, and keep precious memories. So why not try to find a mortgage that offers you as much love in return as you put into your home?

Mark BristowJun 1, 2020( 3 min read )

Hidden costs of ScoMo’s first home loan deposit scheme

The Australian Government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme has been fully reserved, but for those who missed out, a further 10,000 places will be made available from 1 July.

Laine GordonMay 27, 2020( 5 min read )

Westpac extends mortgage assistance for COVID-19 affected households

Westpac has handed struggling homeowners another lifeline, announcing further extensions to its COVID-19 hardship support program.

Alex RitchieMay 25, 2020( 3 min read )

Home loan cash backs heat up, but are they worth it?

More than a dozen lenders are offering cash incentives for home owners willing to move their business to a new lender, with Suncorp Bank, Reduce Home Loans and 86 400 the latest to put cash offers on the table.

Laine GordonMay 21, 2020( 6 min read )

Australia's best home loans for May 2020

If you’re on a mortgage holiday that may soon be coming to an end, or have been putting off your dreams of home ownership, it could be worth looking at the best home loans of May 2020, as rated by RateCity's Real Time Ratings.

Mark BristowMay 20, 2020( 3 min read )

NAB checking repayment ability of mortgage relief customers for COVID-19

If you’re one of the 80,000 NAB customers who deferred their mortgage repayments due to financial strain from the COVID-19 crisis, you can expect a call from your bank shortly.

Alex RitchieMay 19, 2020( 4 min read )

Lenders offering home loan cashback this month

While many borrowers are tightening their belts and watching out for better home loan deals to help protect their finances, some mortgage lenders are offering incentives to attract the business of new borrowers, including cashback deals.

Mark BristowMay 14, 2020( 3 min read )

Five ways to protect your finances from a COVID-19 hangover

The economic impact of COVID-19 is expected to last for two years, but there are ways that everyday Aussies can protect their finances for the foreseeable future.

Alex RitchieMay 13, 2020( 7 min read )

What is a cooling off period, and how do they work?

A cooling off period is a length of time that follows signing a contract to purchase property, during which a buyer can choose to terminate the agreement without being in breach of contract and losing their deposit. This gives you a window of opportunity to change your mind about a property purchase if your circumstances change, or you decide it’s not right for you.

Mark BristowMay 8, 2020( 4 min read )

The calm before the storm: home lending up in March

New figures released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that new home lending rose slightly in the month of March.

Alex RitchieMay 8, 2020( 5 min read )

Record low rates easing the burden for mortgage holders

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has kept the cash rate on hold at 0.25 per cent at a time when a growing number of Australians are struggling to make their monthly repayments.

Liz SeatterMay 5, 2020( 3 min read )

Variable rates hit new record low ahead of RBA meeting

While the cash rate is set to remain at 0.25 per cent at this Tuesday’s RBA meeting, home loan rates continue to fall, with a new record low variable rate of 2.29 per cent.

Liz SeatterMay 4, 2020( 3 min read )

No crash for housing prices yet as homeowners hope for market bounce

Residential property prices in Australia’s capital cities are yet to come down, despite a drop in sales volumes and number of listings due to COVID-19.