One of the most important things to consider when buying a house is how much mortgage you can reasonably afford to pay off. Knowing how much you can allocate to your monthly repayments often spells the difference between living comfortably and struggling to make ends meet. Expert opinion varies on the exact amount, but the consensus is you should have enough left over to meet other financial obligations after making your home-loan payment. So, what percentage of your monthly income should you dedicate to your mortgage? Let’s take a closer look:

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One of the first questions buyers often ask is how much they need for a home deposit. It’s a simple question with a slightly more complex answer – because the amount buyers need depends on their circumstances, goals and lender.

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If you invest in property, it could be positively or negatively geared. And it has nothing to do with mechanics or engineering.

It refers to whether the income you receive for the property is higher or lower than the overall amount you pay to own it. These can have implications for the investor, not only for how much you have in your pocket week-to-week, but also when it comes to tax.

Here we’ll break down the difference between the two, how to know which your property is, and what it means for you as an investor.

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Imagine you’re a self-employed business owner with a thriving business. However, despite your success, you're facing a significant challenge: ATO debt. If you've ever found yourself in this situation, you're not alone. It’s a stressful scenario, but it doesn't have to be the end of the road. With the right financial solutions, you can turn things around, boost cash flow, and get back on track. Read our story to find out how.

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The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut the cash rate by .25 percentage points, moving it from 4.10% to 3.85%. This is the second cut this year, moving the cash rate .50 percentage points lower than the start of the year.

This is offering relief to many homeowners throughout the country who have been facing the highest interest rates in a decade. In fact, following the last cash rate cut in February, we saw a 63% increase in refinancing activity. With the latest cut and more anticipated, we expect to see this trend continue throughout the year.

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Labor’s election win could reshape Australia’s housing landscape. We’ve unpacked the party’s promised reforms - from expanded shared-equity schemes to new supply incentives - and what they might mean for your borrowing power, property values, and next move. Dive in to see the policies to watch.

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Knowing your net worth is one of the most powerful ways to measure and build lasting wealth. While metrics like your credit score, mortgage balance or superannuation nest egg can all tell part of the story, net worth alone provides a clear snapshot of your overall financial health.

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Australia’s median dwelling value rose by 0.4% in March, reaching a new record high of $820,331, according to CoreLogic’s latest Home Value Index. The lift marks the second consecutive monthly increase after a brief dip in late 2024, spurred on by the Reserve Bank’s first rate cut in more than three years.

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The 2025 federal budget offers a few modest measures for Australians hoping to secure a mortgage, and it might have implications for interest rates.

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More Australians turn to mortgage brokers for expert home loan guidance

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The government is adopting the MFAA’s recommendation for APRA and ASIC to revise their guidance on how HECS‑HELP debts are factored into mortgage serviceability.

Lenders often treat student loan obligations in a way that significantly reduces a borrower’s assessed capacity to repay a home loan. By updating this guidance, the hope is to remove or lessen the “penalty” from HECS-HELP debts, especially for first-home buyers - making it easier for them to qualify for a mortgage.

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The changes to the foreign resident capital gains withholding (FRCGW) legislation means all Australian residents now require a clearance certificate from the ATO for all property contracts signed on and after 1 January 2025, regardless of the sale price.

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The ATO is using property management data to cross-check rental income and expenses declared by property investors. To avoid errors, investors must accurately report gross rental income, claim expenses appropriately (e.g., distinguishing between capital costs and repairs), and correctly split rental income/expenses among co-owners. If a mistake is made, prompt correction is advised to maintain compliance.

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The Federal Government has announced a further 50,000 places under the Home Guarantee Scheme.

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Looking to secure a home loan without the wait? The timeline between your initial contact with a broker and your loan approval can be unpredictable, but did you know that you can influence the speed of this process? Delays often occur due to a lender's assessment turnaround time, especially when they have attractive offerings that result in a high volume of applications. However, the most crucial factor affecting your loan approval speed is your level of preparation. In this blog post, we offer insider tips on accelerating your home loan approval process - from having all your financial documents ready to being completely transparent with your broker. Skip the waiting line and get the keys to your dream home faster. Read on to find out how.

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Are you a property investor? Check out the latest policies and policy changes that could impact you. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced the Federal Budget 2023-24, which includes important updates for property investors and the housing market.

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Published by MFAA

Knowing what your repayments will be each month can help you with budgeting and locking in an interest rate on your home loan to guard against possible future fluctuation may be attractive. However, it pays to know the ins and outs of fixed rate loans before committing to one.

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Article by Gerv Tacadena for Your Mortgage

The successive rate hikes last year have discouraged many first-home buyers from opening the property market doors — will it be the same this year?

First-home buyers must keep an eye out for changes in lending requirements and other market trends that will impact how to tackle their purchasing strategies this year.

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By Gerv Tacadena for Your Mortgage

The surging inflation and rising interest rates will be making 2023 a challenging year to navigate for home loan borrowers.

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The historic legislation enables first-home buyers to opt for a smaller annual tax instead of an upfront stamp duty.

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