My Finance Friends Blog

15th June 2026

Why Refinance from Fixed to Variable Rate

Your fixed rate period is ending, and switching to variable could give you features and flexibility you've been missing for years.

11th June 2026

Top tips to know when to refinance your home loan

Refinancing at the right time can save you thousands, but timing matters more than most people think when switching lenders.

14th June 2026

Beginner's Guide to Home Loan Comparison

How to compare home loan options in Strathfield and choose the right product for your property and financial situation.

13th June 2026

Beginner's Guide to Housing Affordability

How Parramatta residents can work with what they have to move closer to ownership without waiting for perfect conditions

11th June 2026

Top Strategies to Navigate Home Loan Settlement Smoothly

What actually happens between loan approval and getting your keys, and how Castle Hill buyers can prepare for settlement without surprises.

12th June 2026

Unlock the secrets to Strathfield's rental market

Understanding rental yields, vacancy patterns, and tenant demand will shape your borrowing strategy and help you choose the right investment loan structure.

11th June 2026

Off-the-Plan Investment Loans & What to Know

Buying off-the-plan in Strathfield brings unique finance challenges, from valuation timing to settlement delays that can reshape your borrowing power.

11th June 2026

What are Construction Loan Finance Requirements?

Understanding what lenders need before approving your building project, from deposit size to council plans and progressive payment structures.

11th June 2026

Offset Accounts: Avoid These 3 Mistakes as a First Home Buyer

How to use an offset account the right way when buying your first home in Parramatta, and the small decisions that can cost you thousands

9th June 2026

5 tips to help you clear your mortgage by retirement

Worried you’ll still be paying off your mortgage in retirement? New research shows you’re not alone. Here are five tips to help clear the slate before you hang up your work boots.

2nd June 2026

Not a housing “crash” – easing growth and plenty of buying opportunities

House price growth is slowing but experts say not to expect a crash. We look at what’s changed, and why today’s market may offer good opportunities for homebuyers.

26th May 2026

Gen Z races into the property market

A few tweaks to a popular first home buyer scheme has driven a “surge” in Gen Zs buying their first home. And it’s not the only upside giving first home buyers a boost now.

20th May 2026

Home loan interest rate rising? There may be other options

It was great while it lasted, but the rate cut party is well and truly over. Today we look at how you could potentially reduce your home loan interest rate without relying on the Reserve Bank.

13th May 2026

Federal Budget 2026: how it could affect your property plans

Reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax have been unveiled in the latest national budget. Here’s what they could mean for investors, first home buyers and home owners.

5th May 2026

Cash rate increases for the third time this year, now up to 4.35%

The hits just keep coming for mortgage holders, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today raising the cash rate for a third time this year to 4.35%. If you’re starting to struggle with your mortgage repayments, here’s how you can potentially take act

29th April 2026

How to turn your new-build dreams into reality

22nd April 2026

Could your home loan pre-approval be out of date?

Having loan pre-approval can be a smart move for home buyers. But the recent Reserve Bank cash rate hikes could leave your pre-approval in need of an update.

15th April 2026

Why buyers are defying rate hikes and rising fuel prices

Rate hikes and soaring fuel prices aren’t dampening home buyer enthusiasm, with a strong majority of Aussies still believing the time to buy is now. We look at why home-buying sentiment remains so high.

8th April 2026

One-in-five investors snatch up interstate properties

Is the grass really greener on the other side? Maybe. Australia has seen a surge of investor activity in recent years, with investment loans reaching record highs. But as home prices rise, plenty of investors are looking beyond their own backyard and maki

1st April 2026

5% Deposit Scheme helps more than 300,000 Aussies buy a first home

Buying a first home doesn’t have to mean years of eating beans on toast while you scrape together a 20% deposit. Here’s how you could break into the property market with just a 5% deposit. 

25th March 2026

Good news for buyers – surge in homes hitting the market

If you’re in the market for a home, you may have noticed there hasn’t always been a whole lot of choice in recent months. Fortunately, it looks like property listings are really starting to pick back up. Here’s how to make the most of the increase in choi

17th March 2026

Double trouble! RBA lifts cash rate by another 25 basis points to 4.10%

More bad news for mortgage holders around the country: the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today raised the cash rate for the second time this year to 4.10% in a 5-4 split decision vote. How might this impact your monthly mortgage repayments?

11th March 2026

Offset accounts surge as homeowners race to beat higher rates

Who wouldn’t want to save on home loan interest and pay off their mortgage faster? Homeowners are increasingly turning to offset accounts to do just that. So today we’ll look into whether an offset account could benefit you.

4th March 2026

How first home buyers can buy up to five years sooner

As home prices climb higher, first home buyers can feel like the goal posts are continually shifting further out of reach. But there is a way to potentially cut years off the time taken to buy a home.

25th February 2026

How much do you need to earn to buy a home in 2026?

Sure, saving a deposit is important, but your income can hold the real key to getting into the market. That’s because it shapes your borrowing power.

18th February 2026

Thinking of a tree change? You might find more affordable homes

Growing numbers of younger Australians are opting for regional living, and part of the lure of a ‘seachange’ or ‘treechange’ can be the chance to get more bang for your buck.

10th February 2026

Which generation tops housing wealth in Australia?

Myth busted! Baby Boomers no longer own the bulk of housing wealth in Australia. We reveal who does, and how you could get started in the property market.

3rd February 2026

RBA hikes the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%

Bad news for mortgage holders around the country: the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today raised the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%. Today we’ll look at why it did so, and how this rate hike could impact your monthly mortgage repayments.

28th January 2026

How high are property prices predicted to go in 2026?

After a lengthy run of rising prices in 2025, some pundits are tipping property prices could keep climbing in 2026. Today we’ll take a sneak peek inside the experts’ crystal ball – and what it could mean for your home buying plans.

21st January 2026

Roll up those sleeves – a renovation renaissance is slated for 2026

A renovation boom may loom, with plenty of home owners choosing to renovate rather than relocate this year. So if you have plans for home improvements, it’s worth knowing how to fund your project.

14th January 2026

Nurses, teachers or CEOs: which occupation boasts more property investors?

Owning an investment property isn’t limited to the uber-rich. In fact, investors are usually people you interact with daily. Today, we’ll reveal which occupations are the nation’s most prolific property investors, and how you could potentially join them.

7th January 2026

Aussie home owners just got $82,000 richer on average

What a way to start the new year! After a strong 12 months in the property market, plenty of homeowners around the nation are now a whole lot wealthier. And their newfound increase in home equity has opened up some exciting possibilities for 2026.

30th December 2025

Happy New Year! Let’s discuss some potential 2026 goals

There’s nothing quite like a New Year’s resolution to fire you up for another lap around the sun. Whether you’re looking to buy your first home, save on your mortgage, or leverage the equity in your current position, here are three resolutions to consider

21st December 2025

Season’s greetings! Here’s to a well-earned summer break

17th December 2025

Your suburb’s 2025 property report card is in

You might’ve seen recent headlines that national property prices made another big jump this year. But do you know exactly how your suburb and property type performed? Well, today we’ll show you how to find out in just a few quick clicks.

10th December 2025

No Christmas rate cut – could rates rise in 2026?

Not so long ago plenty of economists were tipping a fresh round of rate cuts in 2026. But the picture’s not so clear anymore. There’s even talk of possible rate hikes next year. Here’s how you can prepare.

3rd December 2025

2% deposit scheme ‘Help to Buy’ launches

Imagine being able to buy your own home with just a $12,000 deposit. That’s what the federal government’s new Help to Buy shared equity scheme can offer

26th November 2025

Why now may be the time to buy a rental property

19th November 2025

5-year goal: 1-in-3 Gen Zs planning to buy a first home

12th November 2025

Australian home owners focus on paying down debt

5th November 2025

Time to buy? House prices tipped to heat up this summer

29th October 2025

Forget ‘The Block’, more homes are selling at auction

22nd October 2025

All aboard! The affordability of just one extra train stop

15th October 2025

Bank of Mum and Dad stumps up $40,000

8th October 2025

What are the chances of another rate cut this year?

The Reserve Bank has the cash rate in a holding pattern, and several of the big banks have scaled back their predictions of another cash rate cut in 2025. Here’s what it could mean for your home loan.

1st October 2025

Separating? Understand your home loan options

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are making headlines, having reportedly called time on their 19-year marriage. If you’re also facing a relationship break-up, it’s important to know where you stand on practical issues, such as how to hold onto the family hom

24th September 2025

99% of brokers have helped their clients secure a lower rate

Switching to a new home loan might sound like a hassle. But new research shows brokers don’t just make refinancing easier, they can also help home owners secure a lower interest rate – and much more.

17th September 2025

Countdown to be in your new home by Christmas

The clock is ticking towards the festive season, and home buyers still have a small window of opportunity to be settled in their new place by Christmas Day. The good news is that a broker can help you get there.

10th September 2025

Jump into the market up to 4 years sooner with 5% deposit scheme

If you’re like most first home buyers, you’ve probably realised by now that saving up for a 20% deposit can be a real slog. But what if we told you that you now only need a 5% deposit? And better yet, you could already have that amount ready to go now.

3rd September 2025

5 steps to help you find a competitive edge this home-buying season

Spring is traditionally the peak season for property, and three rate cuts this year could further fuel buyer competition. Check out five steps that can give you a valuable head start this spring.

26th August 2025

5% deposit scheme expands early – will it increase house prices?

The popular Home Guarantee Scheme that lets first home buyers get into the market with just a 5% deposit has been expanded sooner than expected. But an unexpected twist means first home buyers may want to bring forward their buying plans.

20th August 2025

Surge in switching: 1,000 home loans refinanced every day

Three rate cuts since February have spurred home owners to take a closer look at their home loan. Turns out plenty have found a loan better suited to their needs elsewhere, with 100,000 home loans refinanced in the past quarter.

12th August 2025

Third rate cut delivered this year as RBA trims cash rate to 3.60%

Borrowers around the country have been delivered a sunnier financial outlook this month after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today trimmed the cash rate by another 25 basis points to 3.60%. How much could your monthly mortgage repayments decrease?

6th August 2025

Skipping pre-approval sees 1-in-10 first home buyers miss out

Buying a first home isn’t always easy, and first-timers sometimes miss out on a place they’ve set their heart on. But more than one-in-ten first-time buyers have missed out simply because they didn’t have home loan pre-approval.

30th July 2025

How your home can help your kids get a great education

Location, location, location. Or should we say: education, education, education. New research shows homes in the catchment areas of sought-after public schools can command six-figure price premiums. Here’s why.

22nd July 2025

Newly built homes notch up strongest sales in 3 years

There’s a lot to love about buying a brand new home, and sales of recently constructed homes have increased 19% over the last quarter. We look at the pros and cons of buying a new home – and the financial incentives available to new home buyers.

16th July 2025

Has your borrowing power increased in 2025?

If you haven’t checked your borrowing power recently, it might be worth another look. A lot has happened in 2025, and your borrowing capacity could be higher than you realise.

9th July 2025

Two-thirds of borrowers could save by refinancing: report

Home owners hoping for rate relief in July may be disappointed, but it’s still possible to score a rate cut of your own by refinancing. Despite this, plenty of borrowers are sticking to an old loan – and it could be costing them.

2nd July 2025

Small deposit? 50,000 Home Guarantee Scheme spots just opened up

Growing a 20% deposit isn’t just challenging. It can be a (very) long slog. Fortunately, 50,000 new places in the popular 5% deposit Home Guarantee Scheme just opened up on July 1. Here’s how to secure your spot.

25th June 2025

How to make an offer on a home

Finding the property that’s right for you and your budget is an exciting milestone! But what happens next? We explain how to make an offer and seal the deal.

18th June 2025

Welcome back! Home lending jumps as first home buyers return

Here’s some warming news for winter – first home buyers are making a welcome return to the property market. Several factors suggest the stars may have aligned to make now a good time to take that first step on the property ladder.

11th June 2025

Australian home price average tops $1 million

Property values nationally have passed a major milestone with the average home price pushing through the $1 million mark for the first time ever. Have you been putting off buying? If so, here’s how to get the ball rolling.

4th June 2025

How you could boost your home’s value by $118,000 (and save on bills)

With winter temps falling, chances are your power bills will rise. This helps explain why buyers are willing to pay 14% extra for energy-efficient homes on average. Here’s how to give your place a ‘green premium’.

28th May 2025

Plot twist: home owners keep repayments on hold as rates fall

Despite two much-awaited rate cuts this year, plenty of Australian households are keeping their mortgage repayments on hold – and it could see them save in long-term interest costs.

20th May 2025

RBA cuts the cash rate for the second time this year to 3.85%

Australian borrowers have received another reprieve with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today cutting the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%. How much could this decrease your monthly mortgage repayments?

14th May 2025

Fact or fiction: do property values double every 10 years?

It’s a common belief that real estate values double every decade. But is this true? New research reveals how much home values have increased over the past ten years.

7th May 2025

Albo re-elected: what’s on the board for home buyers and owners?

The votes have been cast and it’s clear Labor will hold the reins of federal government for another 3-year term. We look at what this may mean for first home buyers and current home owners.

30th April 2025

Myth buster: do weekly repayments pay off an offset loan faster?

There’s a common misconception around offset account home loans that making loan repayments more frequently helps to pay off the balance much sooner. We bust that myth and reveal the real secret to harnessing the power of your offset account.

23rd April 2025

Could US tariffs be good news for Aussie home owners?

Tariff-triggered cuts to interest rates could be just around the corner, with Australian borrowers the likely winners if they come to fruition.

16th April 2025

Election 2025: what’s on offer for first home buyers?

Australians will head to the polls on May 3, and with housing affordability shaping up as a key election issue, we unpack how the two major parties are pledging to help first home buyers.

9th April 2025

Home owners notch up gains of $230,000 in just 5 years

Did you know that the average home owner saw their property’s value rise $46,000 per year over the past five years? Today we’ll look at ways you could put that recent increase in equity to further use.

2nd April 2025

Why 1-in-2 families are thinking of refinancing

The RBA may have swiped left on an April rate cut, but plenty of home owners are taking matters into their own hands by refinancing to save on interest with a lower rate.

26th March 2025

Sounds of silence: how traffic noise can impact property values

‘Close to public transport’ is often touted as a plus for home buyers. But new research shows just how much close proximity to a busy road, railway or flight path can impact property values.

19th March 2025

5 fun (and budget-friendly) ideas for an Easter staycation

This Easter offers more than chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. It brings a rare mega-holiday, and if your budget doesn’t stretch to a trip away, check out our tips to enjoy a memorable getaway – at home.

12th March 2025

Low cost renos to help keep your home cosy this autumn

It’s been a long, hot summer, but the seasons are shifting and it’s time to prepare for the cooler months ahead. A few simple improvements could help keep your home snug without overheating your power bills.

5th March 2025

Was that the shortest property downturn ever?

The so-called market ‘downturn’ we saw over the last few months was a blink-and-you-miss-it affair. Home prices are once again on the up. We unpack what’s happening – and why now could be a good time to buy.

26th February 2025

Major change coming to mortgage rules for university grads

Good news for the three million Australians who have a student debt. New rules are on the cards that could soon increase their borrowing power when applying for a home loan.

18th February 2025

RBA cuts the cash rate for the first time since 2020

Finally, a long-awaited reprieve for borrowers. The Reserve Bank of Australia has today cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.10%. How much could this rate cut decrease your monthly mortgage repayments? And can we expect more cuts this year?

11th February 2025

The scheme that’s helped 193,000 Aussies buy a first home

If you’re in the market for a first home, there’s one scheme you should know about. It’s called the Home Guarantee Scheme, and it could slash the time it takes to buy a place of your own by several years. Here’s how it works.

5th February 2025

What happens to my home loan if interest rates fall?

Great news for home owners – plenty of economists are tipping an RBA rate cut for February. Assuming it happens, once the celebrations have died down, what next? We explain what to expect when rates head south.

29th January 2025

The top 5 location turn-offs for Aussie home buyers

Ever spotted a bargain property and then thought to yourself: ‘What’s the catch?’ Well, more often than not there’s a good reason behind a lower-than-expected price tag. And while an undesirable location might not be a deal breaker for you, it could make

22nd January 2025

How to finance your 2025 home renovation

Bathroom blitz? Kitchen kit out? Or perhaps some landscaping love might be on your house upgrade wishlist for 2025? If so, it’s worth knowing what reno finance options are available. Today we’ll explain some ways to fund your home improvement project.

15th January 2025

Decisions decisions… Fixed-rate vs variable home loan rate

Amid growing expectations of rate cuts in 2025, sticking with a variable home loan rate can seem like a no-brainer. But not so fast. Locking in your home loan rate can also have upsides, including the potential for a lower rate right now.

8th January 2025

House, apartment or townhouse? The pros and cons of each

There’s much more to property in Australia than just houses or units. And if you’re in the market for a home or investment property, it helps to know your townhouses from terrace homes so that you can choose a place that’s suited to your goals and needs.

1st January 2025

Three financial New Year’s resolutions to tackle 2025 head-on

How are your New Year’s resolutions coming along? If you’re like most people, they’re likely related to health, fitness or abstinence. But why not consider a financial one too? Here are three resolutions worth considering for 2025.

20th December 2024

Merry Christmas! And thanks for your support in 2024!

With the holiday season upon us, we’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to all our amazing clients for your trust and support throughout 2024.

18th December 2024

Have you refinanced recently? It could be time this summer break

If you haven’t looked into refinancing since the start of higher interest rates, it might be time to ask yourself ‘why not?’ New research shows it could be time to try again – especially if you want to start 2025 off on the right foot.

11th December 2024

How did property prices go in 2024? And what’s tipped for 2025?

As we head towards the end of 2024, let’s take a look at how property markets performed over the last year – and discover what the experts say may lie in store for home prices in 2025.

4th December 2024

Thinking of buying a holiday home? Here’s what to weigh up

The coming weeks will see millions of Aussies enjoy a well-earned getaway, and for some, a memorable holiday will inspire plans to buy a holiday home. But is it a good idea? And can a weekender still stack up financially? We explain what to consider plus

26th November 2024

Thinking of installing a swimming pool for summer?

There are few better ways to beat the summer heat than floating in your very own pool. With a range of price points to choose from, a pool can be affordable, but will it add value to your property? And how will you pay for your backyard oasis?