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Home loan tips, guides and updates to help you make confident decisions.

29 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Best suburbs in South-East Melbourne for buyers in 2026

A Berwick broker's 2026 guide to seven South-East Melbourne suburbs — median prices, growth and who each suits, from first-home-buyer estates to established family pockets.

29 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

The ultimate first home buyer guide for Victoria (2026)

A step-by-step guide to buying your first home in Victoria in 2026 — deposit, the 5% scheme, Help to Buy, stamp duty savings and how to get there sooner.

27 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Offset vs redraw: which actually saves you more?

Both put your spare cash to work against your home loan — and save the same interest. The real difference is access, cost and discipline. Here's how to choose.

27 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Buying before you sell: how bridging loans work

Found your next home but haven't sold yet? A bridging loan covers the gap. Here's how peak debt, repayments and the risks actually work.

27 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

An EOFY checklist for property investors

30 June comes around fast. A little prep now can save you stress — and potentially tax — at year end. A simple end-of-financial-year checklist for investors.

27 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

First-home-buyer schemes & how to start the financial year right

A new financial year is a great time to get your first-home plans moving. Here's the government help that's out there, plus the steps that put you in the best position.

27 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Is refinancing still worth it in 2026?

With rates moving and lenders competing hard for refinancers, it's worth a fresh look — here's how to tell if switching your home loan could actually leave you in front.

27 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Self-employed? Home-loan options you might not know about

Being self-employed doesn't put a competitive home loan out of reach — it just takes the right lender and the right paperwork. Here's what's possible.

25 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

How the property market is shaping up in your area post budget night

It’s just over a month since the Federal Government unveiled its tax reforms on budget night. Here’s how property values are responding across the major cities.

18 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Record smashed: over 80% of buyers turn to a broker for help

Brokers now settle a record 81% of Australia's new home loans. Here's what mortgage brokers do — and why more Australians than ever are choosing one.

10 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

5 tips to help you clear your mortgage by retirement

Worried you’ll still be paying off your mortgage in retirement? New research shows you’re not alone. Here are five tips to help clear the slate before you hang up your work boots.

4 June 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Not a housing “crash” – easing growth and plenty of buying opportunities

House price growth is slowing but experts say not to expect a crash. We look at what’s changed, and why today’s market may offer good opportunities for homebuyers.

28 May 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Gen Z races into the property market

A few tweaks to a popular first home buyer scheme has driven a “surge” in Gen Zs buying their first home. And it’s not the only upside giving first home buyers a boost now.

20 May 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Home loan interest rate rising? There may be other options

It was great while it lasted, but the rate cut party is well and truly over. Today we look at how you could potentially reduce your home loan interest rate without relying on the Reserve Bank.

14 May 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Federal Budget 2026: how it could affect your property plans

Reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax have been unveiled in the latest national budget. Here’s what they could mean for investors, first home buyers and home owners.

5 May 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Cash rate increases for the third time this year, now up to 4.35%

The hits just keep coming for mortgage holders, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today raising the cash rate for a third time this year to 4.35%. If you’re starting to struggle with your…

29 April 2026 · Impact Home Loans

How to turn your new-build dreams into reality

There’s no better feeling than living in a brand new home – it’s fresh, clean and it’s all yours. But financing a new-build works very differently from buying an established home. Here’s what you…

22 April 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Could your home loan pre-approval be out of date?

Having loan pre-approval can be a smart move for home buyers. But the recent Reserve Bank cash rate hikes could leave your pre-approval in need of an update.

16 April 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Why buyers are defying rate hikes and rising fuel prices

Rate hikes and soaring fuel prices aren’t dampening home buyer enthusiasm, with a strong majority of Aussies still believing the time to buy is now. We look at why home-buying sentiment remains so…

9 April 2026 · Impact Home Loans

One-in-five investors snatch up interstate properties

Is the grass really greener on the other side? Maybe. Australia has seen a surge of investor activity in recent years, with investment loans reaching record highs. But as home prices rise, plenty…

2 April 2026 · Impact Home Loans

5% Deposit Scheme helps more than 300,000 Aussies buy a first home

Buying a first home doesn’t have to mean years of eating beans on toast while you scrape together a 20% deposit. Here’s how you could break into the property market with just a 5% deposit.

26 March 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Good news for buyers – surge in homes hitting the market

If you’re in the market for a home, you may have noticed there hasn’t always been a whole lot of choice in recent months. Fortunately, it looks like property listings are really starting to pick…

17 March 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Double trouble! RBA lifts cash rate by another 25 basis points to 4.10%

More bad news for mortgage holders around the country: the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today raised the cash rate for the second time this year to 4.10% in a 5-4 split decision vote. How might…

12 March 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Offset accounts surge as homeowners race to beat higher rates

Who wouldn’t want to save on home loan interest and pay off their mortgage faster? Homeowners are increasingly turning to offset accounts to do just that. So today we’ll look into whether an…

5 March 2026 · Impact Home Loans

How first home buyers can buy up to five years sooner

As home prices climb higher, first home buyers can feel like the goal posts are continually shifting further out of reach. But there is a way to potentially cut years off the time taken to buy a home.

26 February 2026 · Impact Home Loans

How much do you need to earn to buy a home in 2026?

Sure, saving a deposit is important, but your income can hold the real key to getting into the market. That’s because it shapes your borrowing power.

19 February 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Thinking of a tree change? You might find more affordable homes

Growing numbers of younger Australians are opting for regional living, and part of the lure of a ‘seachange’ or ‘treechange’ can be the chance to get more bang for your buck.

12 February 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Which generation tops housing wealth in Australia?

Myth busted! Baby Boomers no longer own the bulk of housing wealth in Australia. We reveal who does, and how you could get started in the property market.

3 February 2026 · Impact Home Loans

RBA hikes the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%

Bad news for mortgage holders around the country: the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today raised the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%. Today we’ll look at why it did so, and how this rate…

29 January 2026 · Impact Home Loans

How high are property prices predicted to go in 2026?

After a lengthy run of rising prices in 2025, some pundits are tipping property prices could keep climbing in 2026. Today we’ll take a sneak peek inside the experts’ crystal ball – and what it…

22 January 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Roll up those sleeves – a renovation renaissance is slated for 2026

A renovation boom may loom, with plenty of home owners choosing to renovate rather than relocate this year. So if you have plans for home improvements, it’s worth knowing how to fund your project.

14 January 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Nurses, teachers or CEOs: which occupation boasts more property investors?

Owning an investment property isn’t limited to the uber-rich. In fact, investors are usually people you interact with daily. Today, we’ll reveal which occupations are the nation’s most prolific…

8 January 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Aussie home owners just got $82,000 richer on average

What a way to start the new year! After a strong 12 months in the property market, plenty of homeowners around the nation are now a whole lot wealthier. And their newfound increase in home equity…

1 January 2026 · Impact Home Loans

Happy New Year! Let’s discuss some potential 2026 goals

There’s nothing quite like a New Year’s resolution to fire you up for another lap around the sun. Whether you’re looking to buy your first home, save on your mortgage, or leverage the equity in…

23 December 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Season’s greetings! Here’s to a well-earned summer break

As the Christmas and New Year’s festive season rolls around, we want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your trust and support throughout 2025.

18 December 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Your suburb’s 2025 property report card is in

You might’ve seen recent headlines that national property prices made another big jump this year. But do you know exactly how your suburb and property type performed? Well, today we’ll show you…

11 December 2025 · Impact Home Loans

No Christmas rate cut – could rates rise in 2026?

Not so long ago plenty of economists were tipping a fresh round of rate cuts in 2026. But the picture’s not so clear anymore. There’s even talk of possible rate hikes next year. Here’s how you can…

4 December 2025 · Impact Home Loans

2% deposit scheme ‘Help to Buy’ launches

Imagine being able to buy your own home with just a $12,000 deposit. That’s what the federal government’s new Help to Buy shared equity scheme can offer. But there are some pros and cons to be…

27 November 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Why now may be the time to buy a rental property

2025 has been a big year for property investors. But the rapid growth of investment lending has fuelled speculation about a possible crackdown on loans to property investors. We explain what’s…

19 November 2025 · Impact Home Loans

5-year goal: 1-in-3 Gen Zs planning to buy a first home

Gen Z may be known for being tech savvy, but they’re also showing their smarts when it comes to home buying, with a surprisingly large number preparing to buy their first home before the end of…

13 November 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Australian home owners focus on paying down debt

To save or to pay down your home loan, that is the question. Ok, so it’s not Shakespearean levels of contemplation – but it’s still a big decision facing many Australian families right now. Let’s…

6 November 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Time to buy? House prices tipped to heat up this summer

Property prices are running hot as we head into summer, and the market is tipped to dial up even further over the next 12 months. Here’s how it could shape your home-buying plans.

30 October 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Forget ‘The Block’, more homes are selling at auction

Season 21 of The Block may be over but the sales are not, with two homes failing to find buyers at auction. It’s a different story across the broader market though. As auction clearance rates heat…

22 October 2025 · Impact Home Loans

All aboard! The affordability of just one extra train stop

If you’ve just boarded the home buyer express, chances are ‘value’ is high on your list of neighbourhood must-haves. Well, it turns out that house hunters who are happy to stay on the train for…

16 October 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Bank of Mum and Dad stumps up $40,000

They say there’s nothing quite like a parent’s love. Well, perhaps except for a parent’s love plus an extra $40,000 to help buy your first home. Today we’ll look at the pros and cons of family…

8 October 2025 · Impact Home Loans

What are the chances of another rate cut this year?

The Reserve Bank has the cash rate in a holding pattern, and several of the big banks have scaled back their predictions of another cash rate cut in 2025. Here’s what it could mean for your home loan.

2 October 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Separating? Understand your home loan options

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are making headlines, having reportedly called time on their 19-year marriage. If you’re also facing a relationship break-up, it’s important to know where you stand…

25 September 2025 · Impact Home Loans

99% of brokers have helped their clients secure a lower rate

Switching to a new home loan might sound like a hassle. But new research shows brokers don’t just make refinancing easier, they can also help home owners secure a lower interest rate – and much more.

18 September 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Countdown to be in your new home by Christmas

The clock is ticking towards the festive season, and home buyers still have a small window of opportunity to be settled in their new place by Christmas Day. The good news is that a broker can help…

11 September 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Jump into the market up to 4 years sooner with 5% deposit scheme

If you’re like most first home buyers, you’ve probably realised by now that saving up for a 20% deposit can be a real slog. But what if we told you that you now only need a 5% deposit? And better…

4 September 2025 · Impact Home Loans

5 steps to help you find a competitive edge this home-buying season

Spring is traditionally the peak season for property, and three rate cuts this year could further fuel buyer competition. Check out five steps that can give you a valuable head start this spring.

28 August 2025 · Impact Home Loans

5% deposit scheme expands early – will it increase house prices?

The popular Home Guarantee Scheme that lets first home buyers get into the market with just a 5% deposit has been expanded sooner than expected. But an unexpected twist means first home buyers may…

21 August 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Surge in switching: 1,000 home loans refinanced every day

Three rate cuts since February have spurred home owners to take a closer look at their home loan. Turns out plenty have found a loan better suited to their needs elsewhere, with 100,000 home loans…

12 August 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Third rate cut delivered this year as RBA trims cash rate to 3.60%

Borrowers around the country have been delivered a sunnier financial outlook this month after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today trimmed the cash rate by another 25 basis points to 3.60%.…

7 August 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Here’s how pre-approval can help level the playing field.

Buying a first home isn’t always easy, and first-timers sometimes miss out on a place they’ve set their heart on. But more than one-in-ten first-time buyers have missed out simply because they…

31 July 2025 · Impact Home Loans

How your home can help your kids get a great education

Location, location, location. Or should we say: education, education, education. New research shows homes in the catchment areas of sought-after public schools can command six-figure price…

24 July 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Newly built homes notch up strongest sales in 3 years

There’s a lot to love about buying a brand new home, and sales of recently constructed homes have increased 19% over the last quarter. We look at the pros and cons of buying a new home – and the…

17 July 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Has your borrowing power increased in 2025?

If you haven’t checked your borrowing power recently, it might be worth another look. A lot has happened in 2025, and your borrowing capacity could be higher than you realise.

9 July 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Two-thirds of borrowers could save by refinancing: report

Home owners hoping for rate relief in July may be disappointed, but it’s still possible to score a rate cut of your own by refinancing. Despite this, plenty of borrowers are sticking to an old…

2 July 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Small deposit? 50,000 Home Guarantee Scheme spots just opened up

Growing a 20% deposit isn’t just challenging. It can be a (very) long slog. Fortunately, 50,000 new places in the popular 5% deposit Home Guarantee Scheme just opened up on July 1. Here’s how to…

26 June 2025 · Impact Home Loans

How to make an offer on a home

Finding the property that’s right for you and your budget is an exciting milestone! But what happens next? We explain how to make an offer and seal the deal.

19 June 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Welcome back! Home lending jumps as first home buyers return

Here’s some warming news for winter – first home buyers are making a welcome return to the property market. Several factors suggest the stars may have aligned to make now a good time to take that…

12 June 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Australian home price average tops $1 million

Property values nationally have passed a major milestone with the average home price pushing through the $1 million mark for the first time ever. Have you been putting off buying? If so, here’s…

5 June 2025 · Impact Home Loans

How you could boost your home’s value by $118,000 (and save on bills)

With winter temps falling, chances are your power bills will rise. This helps explain why buyers are willing to pay 14% extra for energy-efficient homes on average. Here’s how to give your place a…

29 May 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Plot twist: home owners keep repayments on hold as rates fall

Despite two much-awaited rate cuts this year, plenty of Australian households are keeping their mortgage repayments on hold – and it could see them save in long-term interest costs.

20 May 2025 · Impact Home Loans

RBA cuts the cash rate for the second time this year to 3.85%

Australian borrowers have received another reprieve with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today cutting the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%. How much could this decrease your monthly…

15 May 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Fact or fiction: do property values double every 10 years?

It’s a common belief that real estate values double every decade. But is this true? New research reveals how much home values have increased over the past ten years.

8 May 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Albo re-elected: what’s on the board for home buyers and owners?

The votes have been cast and it’s clear Labor will hold the reins of federal government for another 3-year term. We look at what this may mean for first home buyers and current home owners.

1 May 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Myth buster: do weekly repayments pay off an offset loan faster?

There’s a common misconception around offset account home loans that making loan repayments more frequently helps to pay off the balance much sooner. We bust that myth and reveal the real secret…

24 April 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Could US tariffs be good news for Aussie home owners?

Tariff-triggered cuts to interest rates could be just around the corner, with Australian borrowers the likely winners if they come to fruition.

17 April 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Election 2025: what’s on offer for first home buyers?

Australians will head to the polls on May 3, and with housing affordability shaping up as a key election issue, we unpack how the two major parties are pledging to help first home buyers.

10 April 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Home owners notch up gains of $230,000 in just 5 years

Did you know that the average home owner saw their property’s value rise $46,000 per year over the past five years? Today we’ll look at ways you could put that recent increase in equity to further…

2 April 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Why 1-in-2 families are thinking of refinancing

The RBA may have swiped left on an April rate cut, but plenty of home owners are taking matters into their own hands by refinancing to save on interest with a lower rate.

27 March 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Sounds of silence: how traffic noise can impact property values

‘Close to public transport’ is often touted as a plus for home buyers. But new research shows just how much close proximity to a busy road, railway or flight path can impact property values.

20 March 2025 · Impact Home Loans

5 fun (and budget-friendly) ideas for an Easter staycation

This Easter offers more than chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. It brings a rare mega-holiday, and if your budget doesn’t stretch to a trip away, check out our tips to enjoy a memorable getaway –…

12 March 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Low cost renos to help keep your home cosy this autumn

It’s been a long, hot summer, but the seasons are shifting and it’s time to prepare for the cooler months ahead. A few simple improvements could help keep your home snug without overheating your…

5 March 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Was that the shortest property downturn ever?

The so-called market ‘downturn’ we saw over the last few months was a blink-and-you-miss-it affair. Home prices are once again on the up. We unpack what’s happening – and why now could be a good…

27 February 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Major change coming to mortgage rules for university grads

Good news for the three million Australians who have a student debt. New rules are on the cards that could soon increase their borrowing power when applying for a home loan.

18 February 2025 · Impact Home Loans

RBA cuts the cash rate for the first time since 2020

Finally, a long-awaited reprieve for borrowers. The Reserve Bank of Australia has today cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.10%. How much could this rate cut decrease your monthly mortgage…

13 February 2025 · Impact Home Loans

The scheme that’s helped 193,000 Aussies buy a first home

If you’re in the market for a first home, there’s one scheme you should know about. It’s called the Home Guarantee Scheme, and it could slash the time it takes to buy a place of your own by…

6 February 2025 · Impact Home Loans

What happens to my home loan if interest rates fall?

Great news for home owners – plenty of economists are tipping an RBA rate cut for February. Assuming it happens, once the celebrations have died down, what next? We explain what to expect when…

30 January 2025 · Impact Home Loans

The top 5 location turn-offs for Aussie home buyers

Ever spotted a bargain property and then thought to yourself: ‘What’s the catch?’ Well, more often than not there’s a good reason behind a lower-than-expected price tag. And while an undesirable…

23 January 2025 · Impact Home Loans

How to finance your 2025 home renovation

Bathroom blitz? Kitchen kit out? Or perhaps some landscaping love might be on your house upgrade wishlist for 2025? If so, it’s worth knowing what reno finance options are available. Today we’ll…

16 January 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Decisions decisions… Fixed-rate vs variable home loan rate

Amid growing expectations of rate cuts in 2025, sticking with a variable home loan rate can seem like a no-brainer. But not so fast. Locking in your home loan rate can also have upsides, including…

8 January 2025 · Impact Home Loans

House, apartment or townhouse? The pros and cons of each

There’s much more to property in Australia than just houses or units. And if you’re in the market for a home or investment property, it helps to know your townhouses from terrace homes so that you…

2 January 2025 · Impact Home Loans

Three financial New Year’s resolutions to tackle 2025 head-on

How are your New Year’s resolutions coming along? If you’re like most people, they’re likely related to health, fitness or abstinence. But why not consider a financial one too? Here are three…

24 December 2024 · Impact Home Loans

Merry Christmas! And thanks for your support in 2024!

With the holiday season upon us, we’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to all our amazing clients for your trust and support throughout 2024.

19 December 2024 · Impact Home Loans

Have you refinanced recently? It could be time this summer break

If you haven’t looked into refinancing since the start of higher interest rates, it might be time to ask yourself ‘why not?’ New research shows it could be time to try again – especially if you…

11 December 2024 · Impact Home Loans

How did property prices go in 2024? And what’s tipped for 2025?

As we head towards the end of 2024, let’s take a look at how property markets performed over the last year – and discover what the experts say may lie in store for home prices in 2025.

5 December 2024 · Impact Home Loans

Thinking of buying a holiday home? Here’s what to weigh up

The coming weeks will see millions of Aussies enjoy a well-earned getaway, and for some, a memorable holiday will inspire plans to buy a holiday home. But is it a good idea? And can a weekender…

28 November 2024 · Impact Home Loans

Thinking of installing a swimming pool for summer?

There are few better ways to beat the summer heat than floating in your very own pool. With a range of price points to choose from, a pool can be affordable, but will it add value to your…

21 November 2024 · Impact Home Loans

Buying land to build on later: what you need to know

You’ve seen the perfect piece of land but you’re not quite ready to build. No problem – a land loan can be a handy finance solution. However, it can work a bit differently from a regular home…

13 November 2024 · Impact Home Loans

Do you really need a building inspection?

Your home is possibly the most valuable asset you will ever own. So it’s worth taking precautions to help ensure you buy a place that has a clean bill of health, free from budget-busting hidden…

7 November 2024 · Impact Home Loans

Can we expect the RBA to cut back rates this summer?

With just one RBA rate decision left for 2024, homeowners may be holding onto hopes of a summer cut. We look at when rates may start falling – and how you could possibly give yourself a rate cut…

1 November 2024 · Impact Home Loans

How much does LMI really add to a home’s cost?

Saving for a 20% house deposit is like house training a wilful Labrador. It requires plenty of patience and persistence. Not your thing? You could take out lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). But…

22 December 2023 · Impact Home Loans

Welcome to our December Newsletter

Homeowners received an early Christmas present this year, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) keeping the cash rate on hold this month. Get up to speed with what’s happening with property…

24 November 2023 · Impact Home Loans

Welcome to our November Newsletter

It was an unlucky Melbourne Cup for homeowners, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifting the cash rate to a 12-year high. Meanwhile, property prices continue to edge higher in many markets…