More Aussies choosing to renovate than relocate

The number of owner-occupiers renovating their homes has risen by 21 per cent since 2015, according to research by Westpac. The research also found that the number of Australian homeowners considering selling decreased by 11 per cent compared to last year, dropping back down to the same level as 2015.

How changes to Capital Gains Tax could impact housing affordability

Newly released research from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) suggests that an increase in Capital Gains Tax would raise the cost of renting and make housing affordability even more problematic.

A confident start for 2018

Both everyday Australians and the nation’s business sector are enjoying the strongest level of confidence since the end of the mining boom, according to research from Roy Morgan.

Falls felt for February housing finance

The latest Housing Finance figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicate that while Australian home buyers are committing more money towards owner occupied housing and less towards investment properties, the overall number of housing finance commitments are falling, including the number of first home buyers.

Aussie cash rate will rise, but not yet, says RBA

Investors may want to start bracing themselves for the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) first increase to Australia’s cash rate in seven years… though this increase could take some time to arrive.

American Express cuts credit card interest rates

The latest change to credit card interest rates from American Express could see Australians clear their card debts a year and a quarter sooner, saving hundreds of dollars in interest payments, according to RateCity calculations.

Teachers Mutual Bank announces new term deposit interest rate

Teachers Mutual Bank (TMB) members may be able to start making savings plans for next year, with the announcement of a new term deposit interest rate described as “market-leading” at the time of release.

Keep building houses to solve housing affordability

A new report from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) has crunched the numbers around the nation’s ongoing housing affordability crisis, and determined that Australia must continue to build homes at the current rate in order to maintain a housing supply that meets demand forecasts.

ACCC slams banks for synchronised swimming' on mortgage rates

In a pulling-no-punches speech at the Australian Financial Review (AFR) Banking and Wealth Summit, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chairman Rod Sims called out the nation’s big banks for allegedly using home loan interest rate discounts to maintain market stability rather than to provide their customers with healthy competition.

Westpac's least-cost plan for contactless card payments

Westpac has confirmed it plans to offer least-cost routing for contactless debit card payments, which could allow retailers to lower operating costs and pass the savings on to Australian shoppers.