Finance Tips and Insights - Smart Property Investment

Property investment is often regarded as a game of finance. Here’s how you can best understand the financing options and strategies to suit your portfolio.

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New home loan to track official cash rate

New-Loan has launched Australia’s first variable home loan that will track the cash rate for the first three years...

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Rates to stay put

The Reserve Bank is widely expected to leave rates on hold until February 2011.

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Rate hike spoils Christmas

Almost two thirds of Australians will reassess their spending plans for Christmas following the Reserve Bank’s...

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Smaller banks reveal their hand

One week after the majors announced their rate movements Australia’s second tier lenders have revealed their new home...

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Home buyers enjoy rate options

Furious activity in the home finance sector has created a smorgasbord of offerings for home buyers, says leading...

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Rate hike sends borrowers to brokers

The publicity surrounding the majors’ decision to move out of cycle with the RBA has driven increasing numbers of...

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Provident Capital undercuts big banks

Yet another non-bank lender has revealed its plans to offer borrowers a competitive alternative to the big banks.

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RBA expected higher bank rate rises

It seems the Reserve Bank expected the big banks to increase their lending rates by more than its 0.25 per cent cash...

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Greens push for rate hike ban

Sick of government inaction, the Greens are seeking to put a two year ban on banks lifting their home loan interest...

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ING DIRECT lifts rates, cuts exit fees

Following in the footsteps of Australia’s major banks, ING DIRECT has raised its standard variable rate out of cycle...

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LJ Hooker promises rate freeze

LJ Hooker has announced it will freeze the interest rate on its Classic Home Loan until at least February 2011, despite...

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Westpac to keep exit fee

Westpac has bucked the trend amongst the majors stating today that its mortgage exit fee will remain in place.

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Lenders lure borrowers with cash incentives

Some of Australia’s smaller lenders are using cash incentives to draw customers away from the big banks.

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NAB, Westpac lift rates

All the major banks have now officially lifted their standard variable rates above the Reserve Bank, with Westpac and...

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Inflation dip cools rate hike rumour

The RBA’s decision to increase the official cash rate seems to have had the desired effect on inflationary...

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Borrowers turn to smaller lenders

People seeking home finance are increasingly turning to smaller lenders because they can often secure a better deal.

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Home loan applications drop

Home loan applications fell by almost 24 per cent in the three months to September 2010, new research has found.

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ANZ hikes rates, slashes fees

ANZ has become the second bank in as many weeks to move out of cycle with the RBA.

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ASIC cracks down on mortgage exit fees

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released a new set of guidelines on lenders’ mortgage...

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Rate hike hurts buyer confidence

Last week's interest rate rise has scared off home buyers as auction clearance rates plummeted in both Sydney and...

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Govt to pursue bank on exit fees

The government is expected to outline the formal definition of the word “gouging” this week, which will help...

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Focus on the issues rather than rate debate: REIA

Real Estate Institute of Australia president David Airey is calling on Treasurer Wayne Swan and Joe Hockey to put their...

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Politicians get tough on banks

A volcano of fury and frustration has erupted over the lack of competition in the banking sector, prompting political...

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Political rate debate needs u-turn: REIA

Real Estate Institute of Australia president David Airey is calling on federal treasurer Wayne Swan and opposition...

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Looking past the big banks

News that the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased its mortgage rate by 0.20 per cent, over the Reserve...

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