Two years ago, Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens gave punters a very public warning not to bet on house prices rising. It turned out to be good advice. Now the RBA is pointing to housing remaining subdued until lower purchase prices, higher rental yields and population growth get us building again.

Appetite for mortgages has risen for the first time in two years, unofficial data show, offering hope that home prices may lift in the months ahead. Mortgage inquiries rose in 1.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the first quarter of 2011, according to Veda’s Consumer Credit Demand Index. They ticked [...]

The Reserve Bank has left its key interest rate unchanged for a second consecutive month as it weighs improving global conditions against a patchy economy at home. As widely expected, the central bank left its cash rate unchanged at 4.25 per cent, a result tipped by all 19 economists in a Bloomberg survey.

As households prepare their budgets for festive season shopping splurges, now is an ideal time to unwrap the financial strategies that help borrowers gain greater control over their home loan situation, according to Australia’s largest independently-owned mortgage broker, Mortgage Choice.

BANKS are offering discounts up to 1 per cent off their standard variable mortgage rates to stimulate the home loan market ahead of the crucial spring selling campaign. With loan growth across the market having dropped back to just 6 per cent over the 12 months to June 30 from an annual average of 8 [...]

Plenty of borrowers making monthly repayments on their home loans would be better off making fortnightly repayments. There are plenty of borrowers making monthly repayments on their home loans who would be better suited to making fortnightly repayments, says Mortgage Fair general manager Amber Linzner.

The federal government’s announcement on 25 March that home loan exit fees are banned from July 1 onwards is causing confusion with a number of borrowers who are trying to decide whether to switch now or later. Many are unsure whether it will be more beneficial for them to wait until this expiration date passes [...]

Prospective borrowers have been cautioned to get a home loan while they can. Some may soon find it tougher to borrow, with major banks expected to quietly turn the screws on who qualifies for a home loan. Steep price rises across a number of key household items, combined with tougher lending rules, are likely to [...]

Mortgage holders were given a boost today when the Reserve Bank decided to keep interest rates on hold. While the move is hardly a surprise, it will still be welcome news for people paying off a mortgage. Each 0.25 per cent interest rate rise adds another $60 to the monthly cost of an average Australian [...]

Interest rates are on hold for now but economists expect the next move to be up. Home buyers are turning to fixed-rate mortgages in response to the steady rise in interest rates last year and predictions that rates will go higher this year. Mortgage broker AFG publishes a monthly mortgage index, which shows that the [...]