What is an interest-only home loan?

Interest-only home loans are a type of mortgage where the borrower only has to pay the interest charged on the principal balance. Because they are only required to pay interest, the monthly repayments are lower. This leaves borrowers with more money available in their monthly household budgets for use elsewhere.

Commonwealth Bank backs OwnHome as alternative option for first home buyers

One of Australia’s oldest mortgage lenders, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), is putting its money behind one of Australia’s newest rent to own start-ups, OwnHome, as high house prices send more first home buyers in search of alternative paths to home ownership.

Tic:Toc offers $2022 cashback to start 2022

Online lender Tic:Toc is offering eligible customers who refinance with them the chance to start 2022 a bonus $2022 cashback.

Back to school expenses putting more pressure on post-holiday budgets

Australian parents are set to spend 9 per cent more on back to school supplies this year than they did last year, with three in five saying they plan to cover this cost using buy now pay later (BNPL) or credit cards.

How much could your mortgage payments cost if interest rates rise?

New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show a 3.5 per cent jump in inflation over the past year. If rising inflation forces the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) hand into increasing the national cash rate, what could this mean for the household budgets of Australia’s mortgage holders?

What’s the difference between ADSL and NBN?

With Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) having been rolled out across the country, older ADSL and cable internet technologies have been largely phased out. So how exactly is your connection to the NBN an upgrade from the ADSL or cable service you used to enjoy?

FTTP vs FTTN vs FTTC

Each of these terms refers to an option for connecting your home to the NBN. While they may sound interchangeable, each option can make a big difference to your home broadband service, and what the best NBN plans to suit your needs may be. 

How to access the NBN when renting

While renting your home can provide some flexibility, it can also mean plenty of challenges to overcome. Access to the National Broadband Network (NBN) from your rental property is just one of these, with the download speeds available to you often varying between different properties in different areas, which could make a significant difference to your lifestyle. 

How could a property peak affect your home loan?

With Australia’s owner occupiers taking out bigger home loans, and signs pointing to national housing values potentially approaching a peak, what risk could home owners face if they were to come face to face with a downturn in the future?

How to switch and save in 2022

It’s important to use the best financial products and services for your personal situation. But since our personal situations have likely changed significantly over the past two years, how can you be confident that your previous choices are still up to date?