Urbanlend

Could rates lift off again before Xmas? Here’s how to prepare

Dave — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:23:52 +0000

Several of the big banks have pivoted on their rate outlook, and are now predicting rate hikes (rather than no change or a fall) this side of Christmas. It could be a cue for homeowners to plan rather than panic.

After three back-to-back rate hikes earlier this year, homeowners have enjoyed a welcome break from further rate rises in recent months.

But the reprieve may be short-lived.

Three of Australia’s four biggest home loan lenders have sounded the alarm on possible rate hikes, which could happen before Christmas.

We look at what’s driving the forecasts, and how you can plan ahead.

Inflation remains higher than expected

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has made it clear that it’s aiming for inflation of 2-3%, and only weeks ago, the RBA signalled it will “do what it considers necessary” to bring inflation down.

The trouble is, inflation is proving remarkably stubborn.

The latest CPI figures show inflation is currently sitting at 3.5%, and while it’s on a steady downward trend, 3.5% is still well above the RBA’s preferred range.

That’s seeing the major banks rethink their rate expectations.

Rates could rise as early as September

While the big banks hold differing views on the timing of possible rate movements, the common thread is that the next move may be up, rather than down.

NAB, for example, is expecting a 0.25% rate increase in just a few weeks – when the RBA Board meets in late September.

The Commonwealth Bank and ANZ Bank also expect the RBA to lift the cash rate by 0.25%, though not until November.

Among the four major banks, Westpac alone holds the view that the next move for rates will be down – though it’s not expecting rates to fall until September 2027.

How a rate rise could impact your home loan repayments

If three of the four big banks are right, and rates rise by 0.25% over the next few months, this would see the RBA’s cash rate climb from 4.35% at present to 4.6% by year’s end.

We haven’t seen the cash rate at that level since 2010.

If it happens, a 0.25% rate hike could add around $91 to monthly repayments on a $600,000 loan with 25 years remaining, according to an analysis by Canstar.

On a $800,000 loan, monthly repayments could rise by $121, and on a $1 million mortgage with a 25-year term, a 0.25% rate hike could add $152 to monthly repayments.

What you can do now to prepare

No one can say with certainty if we will see a pre-Christmas rate hike.

But it certainly doesn’t hurt to plan ahead.

The first step is to check your current rate.

This gives you a baseline figure to gauge if you are paying more than necessary – regardless of any possible future rate hikes.

As a benchmark, today’s average variable home loan rate is 6.65%.

Close to 50 lenders are currently offering variable home loan rates below 6%.

Not all these loans will be suitable for every borrower.

Even so, it highlights the level of competition in today’s mortgage market – and a benchmark for what’s potentially available.

Why wait for possible future rate hikes?

We can let you know today if you could save by refinancing to a new loan and lender. Or, we could assist with asking your current lender to match what else is out there in the market.

Call us to find out how your current loan shapes up, and whether you may be able to access a more competitive home loan rate or improved loan features.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to your circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

The post Could rates lift off again before Xmas? Here’s how to prepare first appeared on Urbanlend.

Could you spot a property scam? Spoiler alert: over 2 in 5 can’t

Dave — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:15:14 +0000

Property transactions involve big bucks – and that makes them a big target for scammers. With large sums of money at stake, we reveal what to look out for, and how to protect yourself from property settlement scams.

Mention ‘scams’ and it’s easy to think of dodgy investment schemes or fake online stores that take your money and never deliver the goods.

But scammers are getting smarter, and this Scams Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the dangers of property settlement scams.

Hopefully it will never happen to you.

But a recent survey found 42% of Australians couldn’t pick the warning signs of a property settlement scam.

Here’s what to look for – and how to stay safe.

What are property settlement scams?

Property settlement scams are one of the most financially devastating forms of cyber-crime in Australia, according to digital property settlement platform, Pexa.

That’s because the scammers target large sums – such as a homebuyer’s deposit.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) explains how the scams commonly work.

It starts with cyber-crooks hacking into the email accounts of real estate agents, conveyancers or even solicitors.

From there, they send fraudulent emails to customers who are in the process of buying a property.

The scammers insert the details of their own bank account for settlement payments to be made to.

Victims assume the payment request is real, and unknowingly send money to the cyber-criminal’s bank account.

The ACSC says these scams can go unnoticed for weeks, often only being picked up when the real estate agent or conveyancer follows up on the missing payment.

Meanwhile, the homebuyer may have lost tens of thousands of dollars, and potentially far more – money that was earmarked to buy a place of their own.

Property scams are becoming harder to detect

As scams become more sophisticated, they are becoming harder to detect, says Pexa.

Adding to the challenge, scammers strike during the final stages of a property purchase – a process many people are unfamiliar with.

So just how difficult is it to spot a scam email?

Harder than you may think.

Four in ten (42%) respondents to a Pexa survey couldn’t detect any scam markers in a simulated email, and a staggering 99% couldn’t spot the use of a fraudulent email address.

That’s because the fakes can be remarkably similar to the real thing.

Red flags to watch for

Several telltale signs may indicate a scam email.

These can include a slightly altered email address, and a change to the bank account details you’re required to deposit money into.

One of the biggest red flags is that you are pressured to pay immediately.

Creating a sense of urgency is a common scam tactic used to scare people into acting fast before they can check if the request is legitimate.

How to protect yourself

Scamwatch advises taking three simple steps to protect you and your money from scammers: Stop. Check. Protect.

Pexa explains how these can work when you’re buying property:

Stop: instead of acting under pressure from a scammer, pause if you receive an unexpected request for money or changes in payment instructions.

Check: verify the payment request independently, either in person or by calling the property professional on a known number. Don’t simply dial the phone number listed at the end of the email – scammers may have inserted their own number there too. These days, many property purchases are facilitated by encryption platforms, so while you’re chatting, check if this is available.

Protect: take Confirmation of Payee warnings by your bank seriously. These let you know if the name of the account you’re sending money to doesn’t match the name you’ve entered.

Need more information?

Rest assured, most homebuyers enjoy smooth sailing with their property purchase.

And we are always keen to explain how the homebuying process works to keep you well-informed.

Call us today for help on your home loan journey.

The post Could you spot a property scam? Spoiler alert: over 2 in 5 can’t first appeared on Urbanlend.

The silver lining of a cooling property market for home owners

Dave — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:41:19 +0000

While rising prices were the talk of the town not so long ago, the tide has started to turn, with property values beginning to soften – but it’s not all bad news for home owners.

While we’re far from a market collapse, it’s only natural for home owners to be concerned that their valuable asset could be worth slightly less than it was a few months ago.

In fact, national home prices are now 1.8% lower than they were in March, led by falling values in Sydney and Melbourne.

However, there may be an unexpected upside to cooling property prices.

And that’s the possibility that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may think twice about hiking rates again in the near future.

Here’s what’s happening.

The RBA is watching inflation

The RBA has made no secret of the fact it is aiming for inflation between 2-3%.

The trouble is, we are still a long way from that sweet spot, with inflation currently at 3.8%.

And here’s the thing: “housing” makes up one of the largest single factors contributing to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation.

Now, when it comes to CPI, “housing” doesn’t refer to the sale price or value of existing properties – but those sale prices do have a flow-on effect.

For starters, it’s believed that lower house prices can make home owners feel less financially stable, and in turn, they tend to tighten their belts. And it can have the opposite effect when property prices are running hot.

Additionally, when the property market is doing well, and more homes are being bought, more appliances and furniture are also being purchased – not to mention renovations, extensions and the hiring of tradespeople.

So it makes sense that a fall in property prices may help lower inflation, which could in turn reduce the odds of another rate hike.

This isn’t just a theory.

RBA assistant governor Christopher Kent recently said that softening property market conditions “heavily reduced” the need for further rate rises.

When will home loan rates go down?

We don’t have a crystal ball.

It’s always hard to say with certainty how rates will move in the future.

On one hand, in early August, RBA governor Michele Bullock cautioned that future rate hikes can’t be ruled out if inflation looks like remaining higher for longer.

On the flipside, most of the big banks now expect the next rate move to be down.

The catch?

Even if the banks’ forecasts prove accurate, they aren’t expecting to see the cash rate fall before 2027.

The RBA has also noted that it doesn’t expect inflation to reach its preferred 2-3% target before mid-2027.

For home owners navigating higher rates, that could mean a long wait for any rate relief.

However, you might not have to wait at all

It may be possible to make a rate cut of your own.

Competition among lenders: a strong case for refinancing

Competition in the mortgage market is seeing almost 50 lenders offer variable rates below 6%, Canstar reports.

An owner-occupier who took out a home loan five years ago and who has never renegotiated, is likely to be paying around 6.97%.

If that sounds like you, it’s probably time for a home loan review.

Switching to a lower rate loan could see you save on repayments today, without waiting for the RBA to act.

Call us for a quick home loan health check and to find out if you’re eligible for a more competitive rate.

The post The silver lining of a cooling property market for home owners first appeared on Urbanlend.

What’s a competitive rate right now? Nearly 50 lenders offer variable rates below 6%

Dave — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 23:57:12 +0000

Great news! Homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) keeping the cash rate on hold in August. But just because the cash rate is sitting tight, doesn’t mean you have to.

As many as 49 different lenders are now offering variable interest rates starting with a 5, up from 38 at the start of June, according to Canstar.

That’s a powerful incentive to check the rate you’re currently paying.

If your home loan rate isn’t in the very low 6s or below, you could be paying too much.

Here’s why so many lenders are cutting their rates right now – and how you may be able to benefit.

Why are so many lenders cutting their rates?

Demand for home loans has softened in recent months, says credit reporting agency Equifax.

This follows rate rises earlier in the year, coupled with tax reforms relating to investment properties, which have contributed to a slower housing market.

The upshot is that lenders are facing stiff competition in the mortgage market.

And it’s a win for homeowners, with a growing number of lenders sharpening their loan rates as they battle it out for a bigger slice of the home loan pie.

The average loan rate versus a competitive rate

It’s always good to know how your home loan rate shapes up against the broader market.

As a guide, today’s average variable rate is currently 6.92%.

But why settle for average when you may potentially be able to pay less?

Dozens of lenders now offer variable rates below 6.0% – and in some cases as low as 5.69% – according to Canstar.

The rate difference may seem small but it can pack a big punch.

On a mortgage of several hundred thousand dollars, even a small reduction in your loan rate can lower monthly repayments – and deliver big savings over the life of your loan.

The fine print of home loan rates below 6%

Each lender has their own terms and conditions.

However, the common thread when it comes to loans with a variable rate below 6% is that you will usually need a deposit (or existing home equity) worth at least 10%, and more typically 20%, of your home’s value.

Some lenders impose even tighter loan-to-value ratios.

With a number of below 6% loans, you may need a deposit or equity as high as 30%, or even 40%, of your home’s value.

This is why it’s so important to talk to us. We can pinpoint which loans may be suitable for your needs and circumstances.

Why act now?

Homeowners have scored a reprieve from rate hikes – at least until the next rate decision in September.

Even so, the RBA has not ruled out more rate hikes in the future.

If rates do head higher, it could mean a fresh round of belt-tightening.

For instance, a rate rise of just 0.25% could add around $120 to the monthly repayments on an average $735,000 loan.

That’s not exactly loose change.

One smart move for borrowers is to consider preparing for another hike by seeking out a personalised rate cut.

Contact us today to find out if you may be eligible to switch to a lower rate, and start saving on repayments sooner rather than later.

The post What’s a competitive rate right now? Nearly 50 lenders offer variable rates below 6% first appeared on Urbanlend.

Was your offset account flagged in the ASIC investigation?

Dave — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:51:23 +0000

So it turns out some mortgage offset accounts haven’t been working as intended, according to a recent investigation. Here’s how to check if your home loan offset account has actually been helping you save.

Offset accounts are popular among Australian borrowers, with more than one-in-two (55%) home loans now having an offset.

If that sounds like you, chances are you may be concerned about a recent investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) that identified problems with some offset accounts.

To help relieve any worries you may have, we reveal the banks ASIC reviewed, the main problem areas, and what you can do to be sure your offset account is helping you save on loan interest.

How home loan offsets work

An offset account is an everyday transaction account linked to your home loan.

The offset account typically works like a normal account, letting you make deposits and withdrawals any time.

But instead of earning interest on the offset account, the balance of the account is deducted from – or ‘offset’ against – your mortgage when loan interest is calculated.

For example, if you have $600,000 remaining on your mortgage, and $50,000 sitting in the offset account, loan interest charges will be calculated on $550,000 rather than $600,000.

As your loan repayments stay the same, more of each repayment goes towards paying down the loan, rather than paying interest.

In this way, an offset account can help you clear the home loan slate sooner, and reduce the total interest you pay.

What ASIC found

As a mark of how popular offset home loans are, homeowners currently have around $349.1 billion sitting in offset accounts – a figure that’s risen 28% in the past two years.

This growth prompted ASIC to look at how offset accounts are managed across eight lenders – AMP Bank, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, Macquarie Bank, ING Bank, HSBC and Credit Union Australia (now Great Southern Bank).

Together, these lenders make up about 70% of the mortgage market.

ASIC’s review picked up several issues, but the majority (55%) of issues identified related to unlinked offset accounts.

This is where an offset account was opened, but never linked to the borrower’s home loan.

This means affected borrowers paid more in loan interest than they should have.

Meanwhile, a further 22% of issues identified related to offset accounts not being opened when they should have been.

What are banks doing to fix the problem?

Lenders have already paid over $55 million in customer compensation for offset account failures.

ASIC expects more compensation to be paid following its review.

In addition, ASIC has put all lenders on notice to sharpen their systems, and has warned it will continue to monitor offset accounts.

What can you do?

The ASIC report didn’t say exactly how many home loans were affected by offset account failures, nor did it say which of the eight lenders had the poorest track record.

However, the Australian Banking Association says problems were identified in “just hundreds” of the loans reviewed.

Still, that may be cold comfort if you’re affected.

The good news is that there are simple steps you can – and should – take to check if your offset account is working as it should.

A quick check is especially important if your loan has recently changed.

ASIC found problems with offset accounts were most likely to occur when a homeowner refinanced their loan or came off a fixed rate.

At this point, the link to an offset account can be broken, and you may need to contact your bank to re-set the link.

How to check if your offset account is working

To check if your offset account is linked to your loan, login to your banking app or online banking portal.

Click on your home loan account.

Then look for a section named ‘Manage’, ‘Offset Accounts’, or ‘Account Details’. This should show the account number of your linked account/s.

Or, take a look at your latest home loan statement.

It may display the account number of your linked offset account/s alongside the loan details, or in the section showing how loan interest was calculated.

If you are unsure, contact us and we’ll help you confirm.

How to avoid this common home buyer trap

Dave — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:20:37 +0000

Waiting for home prices to ‘bottom out’ before buying may seem like a smart strategy but it could work against you. Here are the risks of holding out and hoping for lower prices.

It’s no secret that some of the heat is coming out of the property market.

Home buyers are now under less pressure to make a rushed decision, and more homes are coming onto the market, giving buyers greater choice.

But holding off and waiting for prices to reach a low point may be a high-risk strategy – and it could work against you.

We look at the potential pitfalls of trying to time the market with the aim of buying when prices are lowest.

Prices are cooling – not tanking

First, a quick recap of what’s happening in the property market.

Home prices are shifting downward or levelling off in some areas, mainly as a result of interest rate pressures, stretched affordability, and tighter investor tax rules.

But these are far from ‘fire sale’ conditions.

As a guide, June saw values fall in Sydney (down 1.2%), Melbourne (1.0%) and Canberra (0.6%), Cotality data shows.

However, prices continued to climb across Brisbane (up 0.3%), Perth (0.7%), Darwin (1.4%) and Hobart (0.6%) as well as regional markets (up 0.3%). In Adelaide values held steady for the month.

How home values move in the months ahead is unclear. And frankly, not even the experts agree on this.

What we can say is that no one rings a bell to announce that prices have bottomed out.

And this is where those who put buying plans on the backburner with the expectation of further price falls can face key risks.

It can mean facing more competition if other buyers pile into the “weak” market, potentially forcing prices to rise again.

It may also mean missing out on a property that ticks all your boxes, just because you think you could get something a bit cheaper in a few months.

The risks of trying to outsmart the market

Right now, we are seeing a variety of property price predictions.

But past events have shown that forecasts can be inaccurate, sometimes wildly so.

In the early days of COVID, for instance, some tipsters suggested property values could drop by 10%, or even 20%.

In reality, home prices rose 24.6% within two years of the start of the pandemic.

Clearly, the situation is very different today.

But the basic rule still holds – we usually only know that home prices have reached a low point after the event.

The thing is, several of the main factors that have helped drive home prices higher in recent times are still in play today.

Australia still faces a shortage of homes for people to live in. And our population continues to grow.

The upshot is that holding out with the aim of buying when prices are at their lowest may sound like a sensible strategy.

But it’s a lot easier said than done, and it often relies more on good luck than good timing.

Focus on what you can control

The past five years have seen home prices nationally increase by more than 34%.

Those sorts of long term gains could eclipse the short term savings of today’s softer market.

So, instead of trying to second guess the market, it can be worth focusing on what you can control – and that’s your own home buying plans.

As mentioned, today’s market offers improved choice, and sellers who may be more open to negotiating on price.

Both are a plus for home buyers.

Talk to us today. You could be home loan-ready right now, and that could see you benefit from today’s more buyer-friendly market.

The post How to avoid this common home buyer trap first appeared on Urbanlend.

Great news for buyers: property listings spike, FOMO dials down

Dave — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:35:37 +0000

Things are looking up for homebuyers. New listings are on the rise, and that can mean more choice and less FOMO pressure for buyers. Here’s how the shift in today’s market could benefit your homebuying plans.

It wasn’t so long ago that FOMO (‘fear of missing out’) was a driving force in Australia’s housing market.

Property listings were at multi-year lows, prices were rising rapidly, and a report by Finder revealed almost two-in-five first homebuyers had purchased a property based on concerns they’d be priced out of the market.

Today, the FOMO factor has largely faded away. And that’s a plus for homebuyers.

We look at how the market has shifted, and why today’s homebuyers could be well-placed to take advantage of opportunities we haven’t seen for some time.

More homes listed for sale

As recently as early 2026, homebuyers faced a tight supply of properties listed for sale.

In January, for example, the number of homes advertised for sale was 25% below the 5-year average.

The dial has shifted dramatically though, with new listings up 13.3% nationally in June 2026 compared to 12 months ago.

This likely reflects property owners looking to cash in on the significant price gains of recent years, according to realestate.com.au.

Whatever the cause, it seems buyers now have more properties to choose from, and that may well increase your chances of finding a home that ticks all your boxes.

Fewer properties being sold at auction

Auction clearance rates have fallen to the lowest level since 2020.

With fewer homes being sold at auction, we’re seeing a growing preference for private treaty sales.

The beauty of private treaty sales is that they can give buyers more scope to negotiate directly with the seller.

A tip: having your home loan pre-approved can potentially give you extra leverage to negotiate on price.

Talk to us about pre-approval – it can let sellers know you’re a serious buyer.

Buyers face less competition

Earlier in 2026, investors accounted for two-in-five new mortgages.

However, tax changes announced in the Federal budget are set to reduce this.

Westpac expects the tax reforms to drive a “sharp and sustained pull-back” in investor demand.

That’s a plus for homebuyers who are likely to face less competition from investors, which could further strengthen their negotiating clout with sellers.

Buyers are scoring bigger discounts

In more good news for homebuyers, sellers are increasingly open to discounting.

And who doesn’t love a discount, especially on a purchase worth several hundreds of thousands of dollars?

Across the nation’s capitals, the median discount on sale has climbed to 3.6%, up from 3.0% in March.

Regional homebuyers are looking at a median discount of about 3.5%.

These discounts may look small, but they can add up quickly.

On the median home value of $903,000 nationally, a 3.6% discount could see buyers save more than $32,000.

‍Farewell FOMO, hello buyer opportunities

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions many of us will ever make, and it definitely shouldn’t be based on FOMO.

Buying based on a sense of urgency can mean compromising on your choice of home or stretching your buying budget.

With many of the drivers of FOMO easing, today’s homebuyers may have more time to research the market and greater scope to negotiate on price.

Even so, there’s no room for complacency.

Well-priced homes in good locations have a habit of attracting plenty of buyers, and holding out waiting for the market to fall could lead to disappointment.

Talk to us to see how you could benefit from a market that – for now at least – seems to be working in many buyers’ favour.

The post Great news for buyers: property listings spike, FOMO dials down first appeared on Urbanlend.

Lenders cut rates as competition heats up

Dave — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:06:56 +0000

The Reserve Bank may have kept rates on hold in June, but a growing number of lenders have cut their home loan interest rates. This could be your sign to review your current loan.

Here’s news that should be music to the ears of Australian home owners.

Despite the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) keeping the cash rate steady in June, almost a dozen lenders have cut their variable home loan rates in recent weeks.

As a result, there are now 40 lenders offering at least one variable rate under 6%, Canstar reports.

But there’s a catch: these lower rates are usually only available to new borrowers.

That means now might be the time to get in touch with us, because you too could become a ‘new’ customer by switching to a different lender.

Here’s a closer look at what’s going on.

Why are lenders slicing their rates?

Competition in the home loan market is intense right now.

Over 100 providers – from the big banks through to mid-tier and regional banks, as well as dozens of non-bank lenders – are all competing for your business.

And competition has especially heated up following proposed tax changes in the federal budget that have impacted investor demand.

In today’s highly contested market, one way to attract new customers is by offering a competitive mortgage rate.

The upshot is that rate savings may be up for grabs for home owners who refinance with a new lender.

No sign of an official rate cut any time soon

Borrowers who wait for the RBA to start cutting interest rates could be left disappointed.

Several major banks, including ANZ and CommBank, believe it could be some time before we see the official cash rate fall, potentially well into next year.

In fact, Westpac is forecasting a rate hike in September, potentially as early as August.

Refinancers may be rewarded with valuable interest savings

The RBA may have hit ‘pause’ on rates, but that doesn’t mean you should too.

As more lenders lower rates for new customers, home owners who stick with their old loan may be left paying an uncompetitive rate.

And that could mean paying more in interest than necessary.

By way of example, Canstar found a home owner who’s had the same loan for the past five years is likely to be paying a rate of 6.98%.

Assuming that same borrower owed $600,000 on their mortgage, with 25 years remaining on the loan term, switching to an interest rate under 6% could save at least $10,713 in interest over the next two years.

And that’s after allowing for possible refinancing costs.

Talk to us to know how your loan rate shapes up

Stop guessing, and start knowing for sure whether you are paying a competitive loan rate.

Give us a call to organise a home loan review. We can compare dozens of loan options and explain if refinancing could see you save on your mortgage interest.

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Bank of Mum and Dad: why a written agreement can make sense

Dave — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 23:47:53 +0000

With more first home buyers relying on family support to get into the market, we explain why it may be beneficial to put the details in writing if Mum and Dad offer a financial helping hand.

Higher home prices are seeing more first homebuyers turn to family members for help buying a place of their own.

That support can come in a variety of forms, including living at home rent-free to help grow a deposit, or having parents act as guarantor for a first home loan.

But it can also go one step further.

An estimated 60% of first homebuyers have dipped into the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ – receiving financial assistance from parents – to get started in the market.

The amounts handed over aren’t small, averaging more than $30,000 according to one study.

With that sort of money changing hands, it can be worth having a written agreement in place.

As many as 64% of first homebuyers who rely on the support of parents have no paperwork at all for the arrangement, which can make things complicated with lenders.

Let’s take a look at why it’s worth considering putting the details in writing.

The Bank of Mum and Dad can help fast-track homebuying plans

In general, parents provide funds to their first-home-buying children as a loan, a gift or an early inheritance.

For first homebuyers, this injection of cash can cut the time taken to save a deposit, or push a deposit up to 20% – the amount usually required to avoid lenders mortgage insurance if you’re not relying on any federal government or lender schemes.

A bigger deposit may also have the upside of giving buyers access to lower interest rates.

How do lenders treat funding from Mum and Dad?

If you’re expecting Mum and Dad – or other close relatives – to offer cash towards buying a first home, it’s likely your lender will ask whether the money is a gift or a loan.

This distinction matters because if the money is a loan, the bank may take the repayments to parents into account when considering your ability to service a home loan.

This could even impact your borrowing power.

That said, research shows nearly half (49%) of parents who provide financial assistance to their children do not expect to be repaid.

More than a quarter (26%) offer the money as a gift.

Even so, having these details set out in writing before applying for a home loan can answer a lender’s questions about funding sourced from Mum and Dad, and help prevent delays in your loan application.

A new reason to have a written agreement

New anti-money laundering laws in place from 1 July 2026 mean that real estate agents are now required to verify the identity of home buyers, and in some cases, ask about where the funds used to buy a home came from.

Here too, it can be handy to have a written document that describes the nature of support from parents.

What documentation is required?

It depends on the type of arrangement.

If the money is a gift, a statutory declaration signed by your local Justice of the Peace (JP) confirming there’s no repayment expected is usually enough.

For anything more, such as the money being a loan or your parents acting as guarantor, you’ll want to seek legal advice from your solicitor.

A few tips for first homebuyers to bear in mind

The financial assistance of family members can give first homebuyers a valuable leg-up with a deposit.

But your deposit is just one part of the picture.

Lenders usually want to see that you’ve been regularly setting money aside in savings – usually for at least three to six months.

This evidence of ‘genuine savings’ shows you have the discipline to manage a home loan.

Also, your personal income still does a lot of the heavy lifting in determining if you’re eligible for a home loan.

After all, family members may provide a generous helping hand to get you started, but you need to be able to live comfortably with your loan over the long term.

Talk to us if you’re thinking of using the Bank of Mum and Dad to buy your first home. We can let you know what lenders like to see when applying for a home loan, and guide you through the rest of the process.

The post Bank of Mum and Dad: why a written agreement can make sense first appeared on Urbanlend.

New financial year, new reasons to review your home loan

Dave — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:06:31 +0000

As the calendar flips over to July, now’s a good time to give your home loan a once-over. We look at five strategies that could help you save on interest and pay off your mortgage sooner.

With three rate hikes already this year, and a big variation in rates between lenders, it’s worth checking you’re not paying too much interest on your mortgage this new financial year.

The hard part can be knowing how or what to weigh up. Here are 5 things to consider.

1. Review your loan rate

Not sure about the rate you’re paying? You’re not alone.

Over one-in-two home loan borrowers are in the dark about their mortgage rate.

Not knowing this number can be an expensive oversight.

So, grab a copy of your latest loan statement or jump onto your banking app. You’ll usually find your current rate under your account details.

As a guide to how your rate shapes up, the average variable rate now is about 6.45%.

The thing is, there are still some lenders offering home loan rates that start with a ‘5’ or a low ‘6’.

If you’re not happy with the interest rate you’re paying, call us to find out how much you could save by refinancing.

2. Check your loan has the features you need

Loans can come with a variety of features that may help you save on interest, and pay down your mortgage sooner.

However, having access to these features may mean paying a slightly higher interest rate.

If you’re not making use of them all, switching to a lower rate ‘basic’ loan could see you save.

3. Add up the fees you’re paying

While it’s natural to focus on your interest rate, it’s also worth keeping an eye on home loan fees. They can really add up over time.

Around 14% of loans still charge monthly fees, and where they apply, these fees can be as much as $15 a month.

Talk to us if you’re being slugged with a monthly fee. It’s an additional cost you may be able to avoid by moving to a different loan.

4. How does your loan shape up for flexibility?

Home loan flexibility is all about how well your mortgage can adapt to changes in your circumstances or lifestyle.

This can include being able to make extra repayments, and enjoying fee-free redraw if you need to draw the money back out for unexpected bills.

Is your loan flexible enough to be split between a variable rate (to benefit from any rate falls) and a fixed rate (for repayment certainty)?

Or, is your loan portable? This may give you the flexibility to transfer your mortgage from your old home to a new place if you move, letting you avoid the cost of setting up a new loan.

5. Is your lender still showing you love?

Great service doesn’t just mean a quick call to check that everything is going smoothly with your home loan.

It’s also about rewarding your loyalty as a home loan customer. And that doesn’t always happen.

According to Canstar, an owner-occupier who took out a loan five years ago and hasn’t renegotiated since, is likely to be paying a rate of 6.98%.

Yet many lenders are offering variable rates below or just about 6.0%.

Despite the potential for savings, more than half (52%) of Austrslian home loan borrowers have never changed lenders.

If that sounds like you, call us to see if you’re paying a home loan loyalty tax simply by sticking with the same lender.

Head into the new financial year confident about your home loan

A home loan review shouldn’t take too much time out of your schedule.

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