How to value a property for insurance

Home insurance can provide much-needed peace of mind by covering your property in case of accidents, damage, or other disasters. Plus, it’s often a necessary requirement when applying for a home loan with many lenders.

How do banks value property?

Different banks use different methods to calculate the value of a property. Also known as a “bank property valuation”, the method your mortgage lender chooses may depend on their own internal policies, and other reasons, too.

Some of the best home loans in May 2021

While first home buyers have been active in Australian property markets over the past few months, thanks in part to low interest rates, recent figures have shown that refinancers and investors are starting to take their place. This is understood to be partially due to property prices in some popular areas rising beyond what’s affordable for many first home buyers.

Tic:Toc cuts mortgage rates to encourage refinancing

Tic:Toc is the latest online lender to slash interest rates outside of the traditional RBA cash rate cycle, to encourage refinancing by offering Australia’s lowest fee-free investor variable P&I rate.

Athena cuts interest rates to new low

Online lender Athena has slashed interest rates on its mortgage products for all existing and new customers, to provide Australia’s lowest fee-free variable rate.

What do banks offer to win Australian savers over?

Many of us were taught the value of saving money for a rainy day. Traditionally, depositing money in your savings account could not only build up your “rainy day” fund, but earn you interest to help grow your wealth further.

Credit card lending increasing, but yet to reach pre-COVID levels

Australians are understood to be spending more confidently on their credit cards, though not yet at the same rate as before the pandemic, according to recent statistics from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

Investor rates stay down across some of Australia’s best investor home loans in April 2021

While much of the recent property market activity has been attributed to first home buyers and other owner occupiers, investors seeking to expand their portfolios may also be looking to take advantage of lower interest rates. 

Rising household wealth to drive more car purchases

More Australians have been buying motor vehicles and applying for car loans than at this time last year, with more money expected to be spent on cars in the year to come.

Some of the best home loans in April 2021

Despite the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) having not lifted the national cash rate in over a decade, many mortgage lenders are aggressively competing for business from borrowers. But while many borrowers will go looking for the home loans with the lowest interest rates, it’s important to also consider which home loans offer the fees, features and other benefits that could offer greater value for your financial situation.