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Home Loans

23 articles

Home Loans14 min read

Australian Jobs Surge Puts Another RBA Rate Rise Back in Focus β€” What It Means for Your Mortgage in 2026

Australia's jobs market is running hot again, putting an RBA rate rise back on the table. Here's what a stronger labour market means for mortgage holders in 2026.

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Home Loans14 min read

NAB Cuts Interest Rates Ahead of RBA Decision: What It Means for Australian Borrowers in 2026

NAB has moved ahead of the RBA to cut home loan interest rates. Here's what it means for your mortgage, repayments, and whether more cuts are coming in 2026.

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Home Loans13 min read

RBA Interest Rate Hike Warning for Aussie Mortgage Holders: What 'Do Not Rule Out' Really Means in 2026

The RBA has warned Australians not to rule out another interest rate hike. Here's what that means for your mortgage repayments and how to prepare now.

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Home Loans10 min read

Debt Recycling Australia: What It Is and How to Do It in 2026

Debt recycling converts your non-deductible home loan into tax-deductible investment debt. Here's exactly how it works, how to set it up, and the risks you need to know.

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Home Loans11 min read

Fixed vs Variable Rate Home Loan Australia 2026: Which Is Right for You?

Fixed and variable rates are at parity in July 2026 β€” both around 6%. Here's how to choose, why the offset account changes everything, and what the RBA outlook means for your decision.

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Home Loans13 min readFeatured

First Home Buyer Guide Australia 2026: Grants, Schemes and Stamp Duty Explained

Complete 2026 guide to first home buyer help in Australia. First Home Guarantee, FHSS, state grants, stamp duty exemptions, and how much deposit you actually need.

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Home Loans7 min read

Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) Australia: What It Is, What It Costs, and How to Avoid It

LMI protects the lender, not you β€” and can cost $10,000–$40,000 on a single purchase. Here's what LMI actually costs at each deposit level and how to legally avoid it.

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Home Loans8 min read

Offset Account vs Redraw Facility: Which Is Better for Your Home Loan?

Offset accounts and redraw facilities both reduce home loan interest β€” but they work differently, have different tax implications, and suit different situations. Here's how to choose.

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Home Loans12 min read

How Much Can I Borrow in Australia? Borrowing Power Calculator (2026)

Calculate your borrowing power in Australia using the same rules banks use β€” APRA's 3% serviceability buffer, HEM benchmarks, and credit card limit assessment. Includes how much you can borrow on common salaries.

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Home Loans13 min readFeatured

Rent vs Buy in Australia: The Real Numbers for 2026

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Australia in 2026? We run the numbers with actual stamp duty, mortgage rates, and investment returns so you can make a data-driven decision.

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Home Loans18 min read

How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy a House in Australia? (2026)

The minimum deposit to buy a house in Australia is 5% β€” but 20% avoids LMI. This guide covers every deposit tier, LMI costs, all government schemes, genuine savings rules, and what deposit you actually need by state.

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Home Loans11 min read

Working From Home Tax Deductions 2025-26: Fixed Rate vs Actual Cost (Which Wins?)

A complete comparison of the ATO's 70c fixed rate method and the actual cost method for working from home deductions in 2025-26, with worked examples, record-keeping rules, and common mistakes.

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Home Loans33 min read

Best Home Loan Rates Australia 2026: Variable vs Fixed, Top Lenders, and How to Compare

The RBA cash rate sits at 4.35% as of June 2026, with home loan variable rates ranging from 5.69% to over 7%. This guide compares the best home loan rates across Australia's top lenders, explains variable vs fixed, decodes comparison rates, and shows you what actually determines the rate you get.

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Home Loans31 min read

How Much Can I Borrow for a Home Loan in Australia? (2026 Guide)

Your borrowing capacity is determined by income, expenses, existing debts, deposit size, and credit score β€” all stress-tested at your rate plus 3%. This guide explains every factor with a full worked example, income benchmarks, and the strategies that genuinely increase your borrowing power.

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Home Loans26 min read

Refinancing Your Mortgage in Australia: Complete Guide 2026

The average Australian mortgage holder is paying 6.84% while the lowest available refinance rate is 5.35% β€” a gap worth up to $8,496 a year on the average loan. This complete guide covers when refinancing makes sense, how to calculate your saving, break costs on fixed loans, cashback offers, the step-by-step process, and the mistakes that cost borrowers thousands.

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Home Loans19 min read

What Your Friday After-Work Drinks Are Really Costing Your Mortgage

One Friday drinks session a week costs the average Australian around $60 at the bar. Redirecting that saving to your mortgage cuts over $113,000 ininterest

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Home Loans19 min readFeatured

What Your Gym Membership Is Really Costing Your Mortgage

Australians now spend an average of $77 a month on gym memberships. Redirecting that to your mortgage saves over $46,000 in interest and cuts more than a year off your loan. Here is every calculation, step by step

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Home Loans19 min read

Skip One Coffee a Day: How $5 Saves Australian Homeowners $86,000 in Mortgage Interest

Skipping one $5 coffee a day and redirecting it to your mortgage saves $86,342 in interest and cuts nearly 3 years off a $700,000 loan. The maths, the psychology, and the practical setup β€” explained for Australian homeowners.

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Home Loans18 min readFeatured

What Your Streaming Subscriptions Are Really Costing Your Mortgage

The average Australian household now spends nearly $60 a month across streaming services. Redirecting that to your mortgage saves over $36,000 in interest.

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Home Loans19 min readFeatured

What Your Takeaway Habit Is Really Costing Your Mortgage

Australians spend an average of $72 a week on takeaway meals. Redirecting even part of that to your mortgage could save you over $129,000 in interest.

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Home Loans17 min readFeatured

Vanguard vs BetaShares Australia: Which ETF Provider Should You Choose in 2026?

Vanguard vs BetaShares: Australia's two biggest ETF providers compared head-to-head on funds, fees, platforms and which is better for your portfolio in2026

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Home Loans11 min readFeatured

Home Loan Comparison Guide Australia 2026: Variable vs Fixed Rates

Compare variable and fixed rate home loans in Australia for 2026. Understand how the RBA cash rate affects your repayments and which loan type suits your situation.

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Home Loans16 min readFeatured

How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy a House in Victoria? (2026 Guide)

Wondering how much deposit you need to buy a house in Victoria? This complete 2026 guide covers minimum deposits, LMI, government grants, stamp duty conce.

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