Posted in Homeownership

Buying your first home is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming. With so much focus on finding the perfect property, many first-home buyers overlook one critical step: understanding your maximum repayment limits. This single decision can make or break your financial future.So, how do you make sure you’re buying smart and not paying more than you should? Here are four practical steps to help you approach the market with confidence.Step 1: Know your budget before you searchBefore you sta...

Buying your first home is a huge milestone and thanks to the expanded Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, it’s now more achievable than ever.From 1 October, eligible first-home buyers can purchase a property with just a 5% deposit and no lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI). That’s a big saving, and it’s expected that around 70,000 Australians will take advantage of the scheme in its first year.With fewer barriers to entry and significant savings on upfront costs, the 5% Deposit Sch...

If you’ve been struggling to break into the property market, recent changes to the First Home Guarantee Scheme could be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.What’s new?The First Home Guarantee Scheme has undergone significant changes in 2025, especially in Melbourne:Price cap increased from $800,000 to $950,000
 Income limits removed, making more buyers eligible
 5% deposit scheme proposed, reducing upfront costs
 Melbourne market opportunityLet’s say you were...

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to restructure your loan or enter the property market, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may have just handed you the perfect opportunity.What’s changed?Over the past six months, the RBA has reduced the cash rate three times by 0.25%—a total drop of 0.75%. These cuts have a direct impact on your borrowing capacity and monthly repayments.Borrowing power boost
This means you could now afford a property priced $93,750–$187,500 higher than befo...

In July, many experts expected the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to cut interest rates. Inflation seemed under control, and cost-of-living pressures continue to weigh heavily on Aussie households. But instead, the RBA chose to keep the cash rate steady.So, why didn’t they cut rates? Let’s break it down in simple terms.Inflation is better but not quite there yet.Inflation has dropped to 2.4%, which is within the RBA’s target range of 2–3%. That’s a good sign. But the RBA doesn’t ...