Money
Borrowing
Opinion
Money Makeover
Why shopping your mortgage is so daunting, but so important...
Government has stepped up to deliver shoppers meaningful price comparison websites on energy, private health insurance and, from July 1 this year, superannuation. Why not mortgages, too.
- by Jessica Irvine
Latest
Opinion
Credit cards
Why credit cards are not all bad… if you use them right
Adopting three smart credit card strategies can actually result in you being a lot better off in the long run.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Credit report ‘blind spot’ grows with BNPL providers
Buy now, pay later use surges, but missed repayments are generally not recorded on credit reports, making it harder for lenders to assess home loan applicants
- by John Collett
Analysis
Jobs
Head for the regions if you are looking for a new job
Job ads are up an astounding 39 per cent in regional areas, compared with just 2.2 per cent in capital cities. Here’s where to find your next opportunity.
- by Joel Gibson
Look before you plunge into the housing market
Fear of missing out and record-low interest rates may be inducing some people to buy a home that could seriously harm their financial wellbeing.
- by John Collett
Opinion
Responsible lending
Repealing responsible lending laws will hurt consumers
Responsible lending obligations are needed more than ever now that mortgage lending is surging.
- by John Collett
Warnings over proposed overhaul of responsible mortgage lending
The government’s proposal to repeal responsible lending obligations in order to re-ignite the flow of credit is obsolete now the economy is roaring back to life and mortgage lending is up, critics say.
- by John Collett
Opinion
Home loans
Beware the inflation monster: Time to lock in your mortgage rate?
Financial markets are betting interest rates will rise in one or two years. However, money markets indicate the rate cycle could turn before Christmas.
- by Noel Whittaker
Opinion
Home loans
The huge mistake most mortgage holders don’t know
Never pay even $1 extra directly into your mortgage. A mortgage offset account provides far greater flexibility and keeps your funds safe.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Opinion
Property market
Is tapping your super to buy a first home a good idea?
As property prices resume their meteoric rise, many first-time buys are being left behind.
- by Joel Gibson
Home loan cashbacks on the rise, but beware of traps
Those looking to refinance their mortgage and know how to drive a hard bargain on rates and fees could end up ahead on a cashback deal
- by John Collett