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Mortgage rate cut 'unlikely'

Many mortgage and loan customers might be paying attention next month to see what decision the Reserve Bank of Australia makes on the interest rate.

Article Added 26/09/2008
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More mortgages please, says treasurer

There could be a greater level of investment in residential mortgages in Australia, if the federal treasurer gets his way.

Article Added 26/09/2008
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Banks becoming more selective, says ANZ

Despite confidence in the Australian banking system coming relatively unscathed through the global credit crunch, many institutions have become more cautious in their lending.

Article Added 25/09/2008
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Retail banks - champing at the bit?

When many people come to take out a loan or a mortgage, their first inclination might be to turn to their own bank. On shopping around, they could find that better deals lie elsewhere.

Article Added 25/09/2008
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Global credit crunch 'will affect your everyday life'

As the credit crunch begins to bite in certain parts of the globe, many Australians might be wondering what it means for them.

Article Added 24/09/2008
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Govt to reward first-time buyers with savings

First-time buyers seeking a mortgage for their perfect first home have been given good news this week.

Article Added 23/09/2008
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Top tips to get top money for your home: report

Homeowners could lose tens of thousands pounds by making simple errors in the sale of their properties, it has emerged.

Article Added 15/09/2008
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Maintain payments to 'slash your mortgage by up to $52,000'

Consumers are being advised to maintain their existing mortgage payments in order to save thousands in the long run.

Article Added 12/09/2008
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Get 'free fuel or a cheaper mortgage' with Aussie Home Loans

Aussie Home Loans has a proposal that will help save you money one way or another, it has emerged.

Article Added 09/09/2008
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RBA cuts interest rates 'for the fist time in 7 years'

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced it will lower the official interest rate by 25 basis points to seven per cent, effective from September 3rd.

Article Added 03/09/2008
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Top tips to tackle the recession

According to reports, Australia could be diving straight in to a recession but there are a number of ways to keep your head above water in the tough times.

Article Added 01/09/2008
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ANZ sees "business opportunity" in loans to Aboriginal people

The Australian and New Zealand Bank (ANZ) has released plans to enhance its indigenous home lending operations.

Article Added 27/08/2008
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Now you can really 'put your house on it'

Struggling mortgage holders eagerly awaiting the result of the next board meeting of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) can now bet on its outcome, it has been reported.

Article Added 27/08/2008
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Petrol price plateaus, according to economist

CommSec economist Craig James has claimed that the falling price of petrol at the pump is at an end.

Article Added 26/08/2008
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Aussie Home Loans targeted by CBA: AFR

CBA is looking to purchase a minority stake in Aussie Home Loans, according to the Australian Financial Review (AFR).

Article Added 22/08/2008
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NAB 'nabs rate high ground'

National Australia Bank (NAB) has become the first of the big four banks to promise it will pass on a 0.25 percentage point cut to customers, should the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut official rates, it has been reported.

Article Added 21/08/2008
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Get a mortgage without opening your mouth

Australians can now be approved for a home loan online in less than ten minutes, it has been reported.

Article Added 20/08/2008
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Mortgage Choice profit falls 1%

Mortgage broker Mortgage Choice saw its net profits for the year ended June 30th fall 1.2 per cent from $19.6 million to $19.3 million, it has announced.

Article Added 20/08/2008
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Economic woes 'driving need for public transport investment'

The need for increased expenditure on the country's public transport system is being highlighted by spiralling fuel prices and concern over mortgages, research has shown.

Article Added 15/08/2008
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Minor increase in housing affordability, survey shows

The HIA-Commonwealth Bank housing affordability index for first-time buyers rose by 0.4 per cent in the second quarter to 105.3 index points.

Article Added 15/08/2008
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RBA 'won't force banks to cut rates'

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has said it 'cannot guarantee' that retail banks will pass on to consumers a reduction in rates should it cut official interest rates, it has been reported.

Article Added 14/08/2008
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QBE to spend $1bn on mortgage insurance operations

Insurance group QBE has signed a definitive agreement to acquire one of Australia's largest providers of home loan insurance to the country's major banks and lenders.

Article Added 14/08/2008
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Wage price index up 1.2%

Official figures show that wages in Australia were up 1.2 per cent for the second quarter, in seasonally adjusted terms.

Article Added 13/08/2008
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Tips to bag yourself a mortgage

Newspaper reports suggest that regularly paying your bills on time and taking your time while looking around lenders are two ways to bag that elusive home loan.

Article Added 11/08/2008
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ANZ cuts home loan rates

ANZ Bank has announced cuts to the interest rate of its fixed mortgage products by up to half a percentage point, it has been revealed.

Article Added 08/08/2008
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Fixed-rate loan demand 'halves in 2008'

Consumer demand for fixed-rate home loans has fallen by half since the start of the year, indicating that potential borrowers are holding off for a cut in interest rates, according to reports.

Article Added 08/08/2008
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Sydney homes 'most expensive in world'

A slump in property values in the United States has seen Sydney become the least affordable city in the world in which to buy a home, according the latest report from thinktank the Institute for Public Affairs (IPA).

Article Added 07/08/2008
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Banks 'cagey over rates cut'

Home loan customers are "unlikely to get any immediate relief" from a possible reduction in interest rates by the Reserve Bank of Australia because the country's big banks are "refusing" to commit to cutting their own rates, according to reports.

Article Added 07/08/2008
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Home loans decline for fifth straight month

Approvals for new home loans fell for the fifth month in a row in June, with the decline outstripping analysts' expectations, it has been reported.

Article Added 06/08/2008
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Australians 'cutting back on lifestyle' to secure first home

Over 90 per cent of first time buyers are cutting back on their lifestyle or downsizing their property expectations in order to secure their first home, according to a new survey.

Article Added 06/08/2008
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Reserve Bank holds interest rates

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has maintained interest rates at their 12-year high of 7.25 per cent - although the scope for a reduction in the future has increased, according to reports.

Article Added 05/08/2008
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Petrol prices still a rip-off, says NRMA

Despite petrol prices undergoing their biggest decline in four years, Australian consumers are still being 'ripped off' at the pumps, the National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA).

Article Added 05/08/2008
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Banks 'exploiting customers with interest rate hikes'

Many Australian banks are exploiting their customers by hiking up their interest rates above the required level to recoup their costs in an effort to boost profits, it has been claimed.

Article Added 04/08/2008
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Credit crunch 'pushing non-bank lenders out of market'

Increasingly high borrowing costs caused by the global credit crunch are pushing non-bank lenders out of the loans market, according to a report from consumers' organisation Choice.

Article Added 04/08/2008
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Consumer spending figures 'point to economic slowdown'

The latest consumer spending figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicate the economic is undergoing a "marked slowdown" in growth, according to reports.

Article Added 31/07/2008
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Housing market "weakest in four years"

High interest rates and declining home loans saw the housing market fall to its weakest level since 2004 over the past three months, according to new figures from the Australian Property Monitors (APM).

Article Added 31/07/2008
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Home approvals down in June

Prospective property buyers on the lookout for a home loan may be interested in figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) that show approvals for new buildings fell in June, despite "strong demand" for new homes.

Article Added 30/07/2008
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What is the credit crunch?

A year ago, terms like credit crunch and sub-prime were unfamiliar to most people, while Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were strangers. Yet now it seems the news is full of references to them, usually as the harbingers of financial doom.

Article Added 30/07/2008
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Botched DIY can hurt home values

People who took out a home loan to buy a property may be knocking chunks out of its value with botched do-it-yourself (DIY) alterations, an expert has warned.

Article Added 30/07/2008
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Study: Companies "profiteering" with slow petrol price declines

What goes up must come down, the old saying goes, but according to a new study by from the University of New South Wales into petrol prices, it may not be at the same pace.

Article Added 29/07/2008
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Debt 'not be a dirty word'

With the worldwide economic downturn and the Reserve Bank of Australia's base interest rate pegged at 7.25 per cent, borrowers are being to cut back on spending and debt - but some forms of borrowing can help to build "extraordinary wealth" in the long-run, it has been claimed.

Article Added 28/07/2008
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"Strong growth" for June's housing sales

Property sales bounced back from their recent weak performance to post "strong growth" in June, a survey of the country's biggest building firms has found.

Article Added 28/07/2008
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"Burning" opportunities fuel Australia's boomerang migrants

Australia's growing reputation as a new land of opportunity is creating a generation of "boomerang migrants" eager to return home for the good life, according to reports.

Article Added 28/07/2008
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Rate "pain" set to continue, Australians warned

The "pain" of high interest rates could continue for many financially-stretched borrowers - even if the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decides to cut the official rate, it has been claimed.

Article Added 25/07/2008
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Inflation 'clobbers' Australian cost of living

The government has called on banks to "ease the pain" for Australian consumers after new figures revealed that rising inflation and higher interest rates are "clobbering" the cost of living, it has been reported.

Article Added 24/07/2008
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First-time buyers 'drop over decade'

The number of first-time buyers entering the property market dropped by almost ten per cent over the decade to 2005-06, new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show.

Article Added 24/07/2008
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Survey: Interest rates borrowers' biggest concern

Australia's high interest rates have overtaken becoming unemployed as the number one worry for borrowers, a new survey has found.

Article Added 23/07/2008
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Government "keen" to increase competition between banks

The federal government has pledged to increase competition among financial institutions in the banking sector in a move that could benefit consumers, it has been reported.

Article Added 22/07/2008
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Commodore named Australia's most "petrol-hungry" car

Consumers considering applying for a car loan to buy a new vehicle might be interested in new research from the federal government that identifies the most fuel-intensive automobiles.

Article Added 21/07/2008
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Australians can save money with green loans

Consumers looking to improve their home with double glazing or solar-powered hot water systems could save themselves some money by applying for one of the increasing range of "green loans" on offer from banks and credit unions, it has been reported.

Article Added 16/07/2008
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Choosing a home loan

The range of home loans on offer for Australian consumers has soared over the past decade as strong property prices and increased competition between lenders have driven a rise in the variety of loans available - but what are the main options on the market for today's househunters?

Article Added 14/07/2008
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Petrol prices 'break record'

Consumers considering taking out a car loan to purchase a new vehicle may be interested to know that the price of petrol has hit a new record high, with unleaded fuel reportedly selling for $1.75 a litre in some parts of the country.

Article Added 10/07/2008
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Australian mortgages 'hit 4-year low'

The number of home loans being approved in Australia hit its lowest level since October 2004 in May as high interest rates "smothered" the property ambitions of many consumers, reports say.

Article Added 09/07/2008
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Buy now, pay later deals 'can have sting in tail'

Buy now, pay later deals that come with an interest-free 'honeymoon' period can be extremely tempting to shoppers - but if they fail to manage the debt or do not pay it off before interest starts to accrue, consumers could end up paying a lot more than they bargained for.

Article Added 02/07/2008
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Australia 'needs 1m new homes'

Australia's "booming" population and continuing demand for homes means the country will require one million new homes to be built by 2013, new figures from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) show.

Article Added 02/07/2008
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Groups suggests loans for maternity leave

Parents exploring ways of remaining a home while their children are babies should be able to apply for a loan to provide them with paid leave.

Article Added 01/07/2008
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Consumers take lodgers 'to help pay mortgage'

Lodgers are being utilised as one solution to easing the financial burden felt by homeowners in Australia as mortgage repayments continue to squeeze consumer spending.

Article Added 01/07/2008
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More homes needed, says HIA

One million new homes need to be built in the next five years if Australia's growing population is to be housed, according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA).

Article Added 30/06/2008
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Lifestyle and cost of living 'part of Australia's broad appeal'

Many expatriates living in Australia consider their standard of living better than what it was when they lived in their native country, an international property expert has claimed.

Article Added 27/06/2008
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Contractors banning "back seat builders"

Frustrated builders are barring property buyers from the site of their future homes because of increasing instances of interference and "back seat" building, it has been reported.

Article Added 25/06/2008
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Australians 'better off' despite economic conditions

The average Australian is $425 a month better off than they were six years ago, despite rising living costs brought on by record petrol prices and interest rates, a new survey has found.

Article Added 24/06/2008
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Australians 'may have to downsize home expectations'

The rising cost of property means space is now being "rationed the same way as water and energy", with many Australians having to "downsize" their expectations in order to buy a new property, according to reports.

Article Added 23/06/2008
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"Mortgage stress" hits record high

The number of home loan borrowers who are at least one month behind in their repayments has hit a 12-year high, according to new figures from credit rating firm Standard & Poor (S&P).

Article Added 20/06/2008
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Biting the bullet on financial advice

With economic turbulence seemingly all around these days, many consumers are juggling bills, worrying about debt or in some cases paying off one credit card with another, experts say.

Article Added 20/06/2008
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Keeping your fuel costs down

With prices at the pump on the rise in Australia and many other parts of the world, consumers considering taking out a car loan to pay for a new vehicle might be interested in tips for saving on fuel costs.

Article Added 19/06/2008
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Raise grant for first time buyers, says report

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) should be increased in order to stimulate the supply of new properties and help young Australians secure their first house, a senate report has said.

Article Added 18/06/2008
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Aussies 'least likely to take holiday'

Australians are the least likely people to hit up their credit card for a getaway break after a new survey found they are the most "holiday deprived" people in the world.

Article Added 17/06/2008
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Minister rules out tax breaks for home loans

Federal government housing minister Tanya Plibersek has rejected a call to introduce tax breaks on home loans for first-time buyers, saying they would not be the fairest way of helping people onto the property ladder.

Article Added 17/06/2008
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Do homework on financing, car shoppers told

While people on the lookout for a new car may enjoy the browsing and comparing of the different models on the market, it is also important to put some detailed planning into how they are going to finance their purchase, it has been claimed.

Article Added 13/06/2008
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Proposed housing fund 'could wipe $50,000 off prices'

Plans by the federal government to introduce a Housing Affordability Fund could result in around $50,000 being knocked off the eventual cost of buying a property for consumers, it has been claimed.

Article Added 13/06/2008
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Safeguarding your credit record

Financial experts have said the party is over for "free and easy" credit lending - meaning it is becoming increasingly important to make sure your credit record is in order.

Article Added 12/06/2008
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Consumer confidence hits 16-year low

Australian consumer confidence has reached in lowest level since 1992 this month, a new survey has found.

Article Added 12/06/2008
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How would proposed finance laws affect you?

Australia's financial services regulations are set for landmark changes intended to improve protection for consumers - but what will they affect and how would the planned changes impact on your personal finances?

Article Added 11/06/2008
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Home loan approvals down in April

The number of new home loans being taken out in Australia fell for the third consecutive month in April - although the decline has slowed from March levels, new figures reportedly show.

Article Added 10/06/2008
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Proposal to regulate mortgage lending

The Australian federal government has unveiled proposed reforms that would ban predatory lending by mortgage brokers in the country.

Article Added 06/06/2008
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Borrowers 'bundling loans with credit cards'

Many banks across Australia are up-selling their mortgages, with more than half of borrowers across the country deciding to buy other financial products with their home loan in order to get discounts, a new report has uncovered.

Article Added 05/06/2008
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Is fixing home loans such a crazy thing?

Fixing your home loan interest rate at the moment may sound like a crazy thing to do. With rates at a 12 year high - and with the possible prospect that they will not go down for some time - fixed rate mortgages have understandably dropped in popularity with Australians.

Article Added 03/06/2008
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Home loans in Queensland 'least affordable'

The Australian state of Queensland has been branded the most expensive for new home loans in a study.

Article Added 29/05/2008
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Takeover approaches received for Wizard

Australian mortgage unit Wizard has attracted takeover offers, according to reports.

Article Added 29/05/2008
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New call for more players in the mortgage market

Calls have been renewed for greater competition within the Australian mortgage market in the long-term interest of borrowers.

Article Added 28/05/2008
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Mortgage sector 'loses magic'

The non-bank mortgage sector in Australia is losing its magic and could see a series of consolidation moves in months to come, according to reports.

Article Added 28/05/2008
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Home loan group extends RMBS maturity

The first Australian victim of the global sup-prime mortgage crisis has announced it will extend the maturity of some residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS).

Article Added 20/05/2008
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Agency highlights problems in Australian mortgage market

A leading global credit ratings agency has given a positive report of the Australian mortgage market, despite identifying rises in delinquency rates.

Article Added 20/05/2008
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'Getting negative'

A report on Channel Nine's Sixty Minutes programme has been accused of presenting an overtly negative image of the Australian housing and mortgage market.

Article Added 19/05/2008
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Rates bite into house price growth

The rapid growth of house prices across Australia has slowed during 2008 as high interest rates start to bite into the finances of millions of homeowners, according to new federal government figures.

Article Added 14/05/2008
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The bursting of the bubble

The housing market has enjoyed somewhat of a boom over recent years. Many Australians have been able to buy a property and sell it for a major profit a couple of years down the line, as prices soared and mortgages were cheap.

Article Added 13/05/2008
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Macquarie home loans 'most expensive'

The home loans offered at one of Australia's most prestigious banks have gone from being among the cheapest on the market to the most expensive within the last year, a new study has revealed.

Article Added 12/05/2008
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Australians 'clueless' about home loans market

New research has found that many Australians are completely clueless to how home loans and mortgage repayments work.

Article Added 08/05/2008
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Credit crunch nerves 'hitting mortgage providers'

The recent global credit crunch has made many people touchy regarding their finances. Consumers are more aware of their incomings and outgoings and so are banks.

Article Added 07/05/2008
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The default lines are appearing

Times are tough. Finances are being stretched like they haven't been stretched in a decade. Interest rates are high, inflation is increasing and the credit market is an uncertain place to be.

Article Added 06/05/2008
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Reversing the mortgage chunk by chunk

When considering to retire, it is only natural to look at every possible way to boost retirement savings accounts and super funds. However, new research has revealed that some baby boomers may be going about it all the wrong way.

Article Added 02/05/2008
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High rates 'force home values down'

High interest rates have started to take their toll on house values, as new data reveals the average prices of homes across Australia fell during March.

Article Added 01/05/2008
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'Unaffordable' home loans 'increasing rental prices'

The current housing shortage across Australia - combined with high interest rates on home loans - means that rental conditions are at near record high levels, according to a new study.

Article Added 30/04/2008
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Getting the balancing act right

Balancing a loan and a family can be a tricky act. With rising interest rates and house prices, it is hard for families across Australia to plan their budgets and spend a little on life's luxuries.

Article Added 29/04/2008
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Treasurer slams "lousy" Anzac Day NAB rate rise

One of Australia's largest banks has increased the interest rates it charges on its home loans in preparation of another rate rise by the Reserve Bank later this week.

Article Added 28/04/2008
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Homeowners in for mortgage rate shock

Many homeowners across Australia who are seeing their fixed rate mortgages end this year could be in for a shock, as high interest rates hit them hard, an industry expert has warned.

Article Added 25/04/2008
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Surviving the "perfect storm"

The current financial crisis which is being felt in Australia and world wide was recently described as the "perfect storm" for consumers with major debts by one leading expert.

Article Added 24/04/2008
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Protecting against the credit crunch bite

As the credit crunch continues to affect the financial markets across the world, consumers are increasingly feeling the aftermath in their pockets.

Article Added 22/04/2008
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Joint home loans 'becoming more popular'

As home loans get harder to afford - and the property market continues to fluctuate - it can be hard for homeowners to secure a mortgage.

Article Added 21/04/2008
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Home loan approvals fall as rate hikes bite

The number of home loans being approved across Australia has fallen to its lowest level for seven years as a result of recent hikes in the levels of interest rates, a new study has revealed.

Article Added 16/04/2008
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Being the personal loan ranger

High interest rates and tighter lending conditions may mean some Australians are currently feeling the pinch financially. Despite the current climate, many financial institutions are still willing to lend consumers struggling for money a range of personal loans which could well help consumers out.

Article Added 14/04/2008
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Got your eye on a ute? Why not choose a car loan

Financing a car can be a tricky project. Currently, with all the financial turmoil, it could be hard to find the cash to trade up, or simply to replace a car that's had it. However, it may not be as hard as you think.

Article Added 11/04/2008
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Cheaper home loans 'on the horizon'

A recent report found that home loans throughout Australia would be cheaper if the federal government introduced a mortgage-backed securities market.

Article Added 11/04/2008
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Homeowners 'see trouble ahead if rates increase again'

Two out of every three homeowners in Australia will be under extreme pressure to refinance their mortgage or sell their homes to make ends meet if there is another interest rate rise, a new survey has revealed.

Article Added 10/04/2008
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Common home loan types

In the current testing financial climate, having to change home loan providers can be confusing. The mortgage products on offer tend to change weekly and many consumers are concerned over whether or not they are getting a good deal.

Article Added 10/04/2008
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Affluent feeling property pinch

Rising interest rates, tighter home loan conditions and the affects of the global credit crunch mean that many of Australia's most affluent neighbourhoods are feeling the pinch when it comes to the property market, according to a new report.

Article Added 08/04/2008
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Banks 'to hike mortgage rates despite RBA decision'

Some of the major banks and lenders across Australia may increase the interest rates they charge on their variable rate home loans despite the Reserve Bank halting rate rises, an industry expert has predicted.

Article Added 07/04/2008
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What is stamp duty?

As property becomes harder to afford - and home loans become harder to secure - the issue of housing is on the minds of many Australians.

Article Added 03/04/2008
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Houses will "never" be affordable

Australians will "never" be able to afford many of the houses on the property market, according to a stark warning from the Reserve Bank.

Article Added 03/04/2008
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Fixing home loans 'could cost more in long-run'

Taking out a fixed rate home loan - in order to avoid any future interest rate hikes - may come at a cost in the long term, according to industry experts.

Article Added 02/04/2008
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Rate hikes halt house auction clearances

The recent interest rate hikes have forced many people looking to buy property at auction to keep their money in their pockets, new research has revealed.

Article Added 02/04/2008
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Credit crunch woes 'hitting first-time buyers'

A tightening of the mortgage market - as a result of the recent credit crunch - means that many Australian first-time buyers are finding it hard to get on to the property ladder.

Article Added 01/04/2008
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Reserve Bank holds steady with interest rates

The Reserve Bank of Australia has held interest rates at 7.25 per cent, after a slowdown in the economic growth across the nation reigned in inflation.

Article Added 01/04/2008
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The mortgage broker boom

Despite the affects of the recent credit crunch hitting Australian markets and homeowners, more people than ever before are flocking to mortgage brokers in order to secure a home loan deal.

Article Added 31/03/2008
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Homebuyers 'not being put off by high rates'

Rising interest rates and fluctuating financial markets did not put homebuyers off from taking out mortgages in December, new figures have revealed.

Article Added 26/03/2008
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Desperate Australians 'increasingly using loan sharks'

People looking to take out personal loans from loan sharks could become the victims of greedy conmen, a new report has warned.

Article Added 18/03/2008
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Home market 'slowing down' as mortgage stress hits

The Australian property market is slowing down, with housing auction clearance rates falling rapidly, a new study has revealed.

Article Added 18/03/2008
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Mortgage crisis 'now hitting affluent'

Australia's mortgage crisis is showing signs of affecting the most affluent members of society for the first time, a new report has claimed.

Article Added 14/03/2008
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What is Members Equity?

One of the fastest growing financial institutions in Australia at the moment is Members Equity. After only being created in 1999, in that short space of time it has become one of the nation's largest providers of home loans, superannuation funds and credit cards.

Article Added 13/03/2008
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Loans 'can create mixed fortunes'

Borrowing money in the form of personal loans or bonds, in order to invest, can lead to both good and bad news in the future, it has been claimed.

Article Added 12/03/2008
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Rate hikes 'forcing more to refinance mortgages'

The recent hikes in interest rates by the Reserve Bank of Australia have led to a record number of people looking to refinance their mortgages, according to a leading industry expert.

Article Added 12/03/2008
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RBA 'considers pausing rate hike cycle'

Article Added 11/03/2008
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Wage increases 'worse concern than rate rises'

Rapidly increasing wages have overtaken fuel prices as the major concern for businesses and economists across Australia, according to a new report.

Article Added 10/03/2008
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NAB follows RBA with rate hike

Australia's largest bank has increased the interest rates it charges on home loans as a result of the Reserve Bank's decision to hike up rates earlier this week.

Article Added 06/03/2008
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Homeowners refinance mortgages 'to service debts'

More Australians than ever before are remortgaging their homes in order to tidy up their debts, new figures have claimed.

Article Added 05/03/2008
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PM moves to ease rental affordability crisis

Prime minister Kevin Rudd has moved to ease the affordability crisis in the Australian rental market by doubling a tax incentives scheme for property investors.

Article Added 04/03/2008
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Rate rises 'pushing homeowners hard'

Families across Australia are having to pay more than a third of their income to meet the demands of the average home loan, new research has revealed.

Article Added 03/03/2008
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What is Mortgage Choice?

Mortgage Choice is now one of Australia's most prominent companies in the home loans sector. However, it is a relative newcomer to the market and has worked its way to the top very rapidly.

Article Added 29/02/2008
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What is MyRate Home Loans?

Many a small company has floundered in the world of finance. History is littered with businesses which have attempted and failed to flourish in the financial sector. Not MyRate Home Loans though.

Article Added 28/02/2008
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What is Wizard Home Loans?

The rise in fortunes of Wizard across Australia has been impressive as, in little over a decade, the home loans company has gone from having one branch to more than 250 and becoming the largest non-bank mortgage lender in the country.

Article Added 27/02/2008
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What is Aussie?

When it comes to having a patriotic company name, there is surely only one winner in the Australian financial sector - Aussie.

Article Added 25/02/2008
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Homeowners 'unconcerned' over losing home

Three quarters of indebted Australians are unconcerned about the prospect of losing their home, despite concerns over a likely rise in mortgage defaults.

Article Added 22/02/2008
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Australian lender leaves 100% LTV market

Australian lender GE Money has pulled its 100 per cent mortgages from the market after concerns were raised over the number homeowners defaulting on their loans.

Article Added 22/02/2008
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RBA 'wanted higher rate rise'

The recent interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) would have been even higher if it had got its own way, official documents have revealed.

Article Added 20/02/2008
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Ditch expensive loans and switch

In the past, many Australians have been stuck with their mortgage lender or financial institution when they take out loans. High entry and exit fees often priced many consumers out of switching loans companies.

Article Added 20/02/2008
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Banks predict loan rates to fall 'sooner than planned'

Homeowners could be in for a good surprise after some of the biggest banks and financial institutions in Australia predicted variable interest rates on home loans to decrease earlier than expected.

Article Added 15/02/2008
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The perils of 'get rich quick' schemes

Women on low to average incomes are more susceptible to get rich quick financial schemes, new research has found.

Article Added 15/02/2008
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Thousands warned over rapid home loan rate rises

A large number of Australian homeowners will bare the brunt of continuing interest rate rises when they come to renew their home loans later this year, according to an industry expert.

Article Added 14/02/2008
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Home loan debt increases despite rate rises

Home loan debt throughout Australia unexpectedly increased during December, despite increasing house prices and higher interest rates, federal government figures show.

Article Added 12/02/2008
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How do the Reserve Bank's decisions affect you?

With all the talk of rising interest rates affecting savings accounts and home loans, many people throughout Australia may not fully understand what the decisions made by the Reserve Bank actually mean.

Article Added 11/02/2008
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Aussie home dream 'not being put off by rate rises'

Rising interest rates and rapidly increasing house prices are not putting people off from taking out home loans and moving house, new federal government figures have revealed.

Article Added 08/02/2008
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Commonwealth Bank follows Reserve Bank with rate increase

One of the largest financial institutions in Australia has raised the interest rates charged on variable home loans just a day after the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the base rate to a 12-year high.

Article Added 07/02/2008
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Home auctioning 'on the rise in troubled times'

Uncertain times in the financial market are certain to hit the property market, according to experts, but what about those selling their homes through auction?

Article Added 06/02/2008
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Why is stamp duty in Australia so high?

A recent study found that Australians have to deal with some of the highest interest rates and stamp duty costs in the Western world.

Article Added 06/02/2008
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Housing markets 'look uncertain'

The uncertain outlook of the global stock markets is likely to hit house prices closer to home over the next year, an expert has claimed.

Article Added 05/02/2008
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Reserve bank 'expected to raise interest rates'

Data released this week by the Reserve Bank of Australia has made it likely that the bank will raise interest rates this month, according to reports.

Article Added 01/02/2008
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Women 'more likely to pay back credit'

Women are more reliable than men when it comes to paying bills and repaying debt, according to the latest research from a credit reference check facilitator.

Article Added 01/02/2008
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What is subprime?

In recent weeks, stock markets across the globe have taken a bit of a bashing. Billions of dollars have been wiped off the values of some of Australia's biggest companies, with many superannuation funds also being affected.

Article Added 31/01/2008
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Australians urged to shop around for better interest rates

Australians have been urged to look around and compare savings accounts in order to get the best interest rates available for the money they would like to set aside, a newspaper has reported.

An analyst from financial research company Cannex has said it is important savers are alert to the fact that basic transaction accounts offer very low interest rates and that a much higher rate can be found for savings.

Article Added 30/01/2008
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Car loan competition 'increases savings'

Despite record levels of household debt, approvals for car loans also hit new highs during 2007 and show no sign of stopping.

Article Added 30/01/2008
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How will stock market wobbles affect property investments?

Property investments are, traditionally, some of the most secure savings funds in the market. However, with the recent slowdown in house prices, will that statement continue to be true through 2008.

Article Added 28/01/2008
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Homeowners refinance their futures

Record numbers of Australian homeowners are refinancing their mortgages as they look for better deals in a bid to avoid the impact of another interest rate increase.

Article Added 21/01/2008
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Education costs 'forcing parents to consider personal loans'

Higher education costs across Australia are forcing many parents to take out personal loans in a bid to fend off debt problems, according to new figures.

Article Added 21/01/2008
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Families 'tided over' by long-term mortgages

It may seem like an extraordinarily long time to be tied to a lender, but it could be the case that 40-year mortgages might provide families with that bit of breathing space when buying a home.

Article Added 18/01/2008
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Record numbers 'chase the Aussie dream'

Owning a home and becoming part of that great Australian dream is becoming more of a reality for an increasing number of adults.

Article Added 17/01/2008
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PM weighs into rate rise debate

Prime minister Kevin Rudd has indicated for the first time that recent moves by some banks to increase their interest rates will be followed by a rate rise by the Reserve Bank in the near future.

Article Added 16/01/2008
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Home loan rises 'here to stay'

The current theme of banks increasing their home loan interest rates may not grab the attention of many homeowners but there is a major reason why it should.

Article Added 15/01/2008
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Treasurer 'considers scrapping exit fees'

The government is pondering scrapping exit fees charged on mortgages in a bid to open up the home loans market to more companies.

Article Added 15/01/2008
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St George follows others with rate increase

Another of Australia's largest financial institutions has moved away from the Reserve Bank and increased the interest rates it charges on its home loans.

Article Added 14/01/2008
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Victims of unfair lenders urged to complain

Consumers who feel they have been a victim of unfair lending practices should take their complaints to the financial ombudsman, councillors have urged.

Article Added 11/01/2008
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The changing shape of home loans

A new form of home loan which was introduced to the Australian market last year has surprised the industry with its popularity.

Article Added 10/01/2008
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Commonwealth Bank raises home loan rates

One of Australia's largest financial institutions has joined two of its counterparts and raised the interest rates it charges on its home loans.

Article Added 10/01/2008
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Exit fees hit thousands of Aussies

Leaving a home loan to get a better deal elsewhere can seem like a good idea but it can cost thousands of dollars in exit fees.

Article Added 09/01/2008
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ANZ follows NAB with mortgage rate rise

One of Australia's largest banks has followed in the footsteps of the National Australia Bank (NAB) and raised interest rates on mortgages.

Article Added 08/01/2008
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NAB breaks away from Reserve and ups loan rates

One of Australia's largest banks has raised its interest rates away from the national rate set by the treasurer.

Article Added 04/01/2008
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Financial fears put aside during festive spending spree

Despite enduring a difficult year in personal finance terms, consumers in Australia confounded expectations by coming out in force over the festive period.

Article Added 03/01/2008
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Politician calls for interest stability

An influential voice has lent his support to calls for lenders to bring stability to the market for the benefit of consumers.

Article Added 02/01/2008
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Loan interest rates to rise?

Borrowers who have taken out loans with conforming lenders could face higher rates of interest next year, it has been claimed.

Article Added 28/12/2007
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