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If your home loan feels heavier than it should, refinancing might help. Refinancing means replacing your current loan with a new one, either with your current lender or a new lender. The quick “yes or no” checklist Refinancing is worth exploring if: Your rate is clearly higher than what’s available for similar borrowers You’re paying fees for features you don’t use Your loan no longer matches your life (new baby, new job, income changes) You want to restructure for flexibilit

Investor pre-approval is not a guarantee. It’s a strategy tool. What it is a lender-backed indication of borrowing capacity and policy fit a way to move fast when the right property appears a way to avoid wasting weekends on properties you cannot buy What it isn’t formal approval on a specific property protection from valuation surprises a substitute for clean structure and deposit planning Want an investor-ready pre-approval with a clear plan? Go to Investor Pre-Approval  an

Why borrowing power feels unpredictable Because it’s not one formula. It’s a mix of policy settings, your financial profile, and how lenders assess risk. What lenders typically look at Income base salary and consistency bonuses, overtime, commissions (often shaded) rental income (often shaded) Expenses living expenses (benchmarks plus what your statements show) dependants, childcare, commitments Existing debts credit cards, personal loans, HECS/HELP, car loans Buffers and ser

The best structure is the one that supports your strategy and your next purchase, not just your rate today. Interest-only (IO) vs principal and interest (P&I) Interest-only (IO)  means repayments cover interest for a set period. Principal and interest (P&I)  means repayments cover both interest and principal. In plain terms: IO often supports cash flow and flexibility. P&I reduces the loan balance over time but can reduce cash flow. There is no universal “best”. The right cho

What “equity release” really means Equity release is typically borrowing against the value of a property you already own (often your home) to fund an investment deposit and costs. It is a strategy, not a product. The product is the loan structure you choose. How it usually works (simple version) Property value is assessed. Existing loan balance is confirmed. A lender determines how much additional lending is possible. Funds are made available via a separate split/loan (ideall

Most people refinance chasing a lower rate. The bigger risk is refinancing into a loan that looks cheap on day one, then drifts expensive later. What refinancing typically costs Refinancing usually includes a mix of lender fees and government registration costs. Discharge fees and other switching costs vary by lender and state, so it’s worth confirming the full figure before you decide. Common cost categories to check: Discharge (exit) fee with your current lender Government

On 8 July 2025, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) surprised markets by holding the cash rate steady at 3.85%, despite widespread expectations of a 25 basis point cut. This decision, while disappointing for current homeowners seeking relief from high mortgage repayments, presents a silver lining for first home buyers. Why the RBA held rates The RBA's decision was influenced by a cautious approach to ensure inflation remains within the target range. This conservative stance a

A simple payment tweak that could save you over $100K (without refinancing). Most homeowners think the only way to reduce interest or pay off their mortgage faster is to refinance. But there’s another option. It’s quiet. It’s simple. And it could save you tens of thousands in interest, without even changing lenders. Make bi-weekly payments instead of monthly Let’s say your monthly mortgage repayment is $3,000. Instead of paying that once per month, you split it in half and pa