NEWS & VIEWS

Westpac shuts the door on rates under 2%

Westpac has today discontinued its introductory variable rate of 1.99 per cent. The bank now has no rates under 2 per cent.

Spend wisely to avoid debt in the Black Friday & Cyber Monday sales

The upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are set to attract a high number of Aussie shoppers looking to snap up a bargain for Christmastime. But buyer beware: it’s still easier than ever to accumulate debt through your credit card if you’re not careful.

Some of the best home loans for investors in November 2021

It’s not yet completely clear what Australian property investors can expect over the next few years. While some analysts are forecasting another year of rising house prices before a fall in 2023, there are still a lot of unknown factors to consider that could affect how things shake out.

80% of credit card users with debt don’t know their interest rate

With the silly season now upon us, shoppers using credit cards are being warned to be careful not to get stung with big interest bills.

Top-rated green car loans for your electric vehicle purchase

New car sales figures have seen an overall decline for the first time in 11 months, but electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to rise.

House price growth to slow by 2023 according to CBA

The forecast return of a rising cash rate is expected to slow the meteoric rise in property values around Australia, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. However, improved wage growth combined with the return of international immigration should help prevent a house price freefall.

Brokers report non-major banks growing in popularity

A rising number of home loan applications have been submitted to non-major banks indicating Aussie appetite for mortgage lenders outside of the big four may be rising, according to findings from the latest Broker Pulse survey.

Westpac hikes fixed rates for 3rd time in a month

Like CBA and ANZ, Westpac now has no advertised fixed home loan rates under 2 per cent.

Does rent-to-own exist for Australian home owners?

If you can comfortably manage your rent payments, you may feel you could manage the repayments on a mortgage just as easily. However, many Australian renters have had their home ownership dreams frustrated by the challenge of saving a deposit on a home loan. Rent-to-own programs could theoretically offer an alternative route to home ownership, but are they worth the risk? 

Loans to help you aim for net-zero emissions in your own home

You may be wondering how you can finance reducing your household emissions to better benefit the environment. This is where a green home loan may come in handy this November.

How much would it cost to live in a celebrity home?

When it comes to the lifestyles of the rich and famous, we can’t help but wonder just how they spend on their enviable homes, or how much the mortgage repayments would be on those massive price tags.

Westpac cuts rates on popular savings accounts

Australia’s second largest bank, Westpac, has today cut savings rates by 0.05 per cent.

ANZ joins the race to hike fixed rates

Australia’s fourth largest bank, ANZ, has hiked its fixed rates for the second time in three weeks.