A record 82% of home loans rely on mortgage brokers. Here’s why.
What does Australia have in common with the United Kingdom and the Netherlands? In all three countries brokers facilitate more than 80% of new mortgages.
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Mortgage and Finance Insights
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Our information hub brings together articles about home loans, refinancing, investment property finance and developments that may affect Australian borrowers. At East Coast Finance Group, we want readers in Newcastle and our other service areas to understand lending terminology and the questions worth asking before making a financial decision.
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From Our Information Hub
69 articles
What does a good home loan rate look like now?
A fourth rate rise for 2026 has just made checking your home loan rate a priority. But what does a ‘good’ rate look like right now?
Read articleRBA hikes cash rate for fourth time this year, up to 4.60%
Here we go again … The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised the cash rate for a fourth time this year to 4.60%. Check out this week’s article to find out why they felt the need to pass on more borrowing pain to mortgage holders.
Read articleHow you could still negatively gear a rental property
The federal budget introduced major tax reforms for property investors, but it may still be possible to enjoy the potential tax benefits of negative gearing. Here’s how it could be done.
Read articleWhy holding out for lower prices could hurt first home buyers
In today’s easing market, it may be tempting to wait for property prices to fall further. But it’s a strategy that could see first home buyers left disappointed.
Read articleSpring selling season is here. What’s different in 2026?
Australia’s peak property season is underway, and spring 2026 is shaping up as a buyers’ market. Here’s what the experts say we can expect in the weeks ahead.
Read articleCould rates lift off again before Xmas? Here’s how to prepare
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.
Read articleCould you spot a property scam? Spoiler alert: over 2 in 5 can’t
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.
Read articleThe silver lining of a cooling property market for home owners
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.
Read articleWhat’s a competitive rate right now? Nearly 50 lenders offer variable rates below 6%
Great news! Homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) keeping the cash rate on hold in August.
Read articleWas your offset account flagged in the ASIC investigation?
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.
Read articleHow to avoid this common home buyer trap
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.
Read articleGreat news for buyers: property listings spike, FOMO dials down
Things are looking up for homebuyers. New listings are on the rise, and that can mean more choice and less FOMO pressure for buyers.
Read articleLenders cut rates as competition heats up
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.
Read articleBank of Mum and Dad: why a written agreement can make sense
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.
Read articleNew financial year, new reasons to review your home loan
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.
Read articleHow 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.
Read articleRecord smashed: over 80% of buyers turn to a broker for help
The mortgage broking industry has notched up an exciting record with the news that brokers now account for 81% of Australia’s residential lending market. Here’s why.
Read article5 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.
Read articleNot 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.
Read articleGen 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.
Read articleHome 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.
Read articleFederal 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.
Read articleCash 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 mortgage repayments, here’s how you can potentially take action.
Read articleHow 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.
Read articleCould 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.
Read articleWhy 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 high.
Read articleOne-in-five investors snatch up interstate properties
Is the grass really greener on the other side? Maybe.
Read article5% 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.
Read articleGood 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 back up.
Read articleDouble 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 this impact your monthly mortgage repayments?
Read articleOffset accounts surge as homeowners race to beat higher rates
Keen to put some spare funds to work?
Read articleHow 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.
Read articleHow 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.
Read articleThinking 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.
Read articleWhich generation tops housing wealth in Australia?
Myth busted! Baby Boomers no longer own the bulk of housing wealth in Australia.
Read articleRBA 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 hike could impact your monthly mortgage repayments.
Read articleHow 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 could mean for your home buying plans.
Read articleRoll 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.
Read articleNurses, 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.
Read articleAussie 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.
Read articleHappy 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 your current position, here are three resolutions to consider for 2026.
Read articleSeason’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.
Read articleYour 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?
Read articleNo 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.
Read article2% 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.
Read articleWhy 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.
Read article5-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 the decade. Here’s how Gen Zs are making their home-buying plans happen.
Read articleAustralian 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.
Read articleTime 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.
Read articleForget ‘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.
Read articleAll 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 just one more stop can be rewarded with savings totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Read articleBank 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.
Read articleWhat are the chances of another rate cut this year?
Who doesn’t love a rate cut?
Read articleSeparating? 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 on practical issues, such as how to hold onto the family home, if that’s your goal.
Read article99% 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.
Read articleCountdown 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 you get there.
Read articleJump 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?
Read article5 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.
Read article5% 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 want to bring forward their buying plans.
Read articleSurge 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 refinanced in the past quarter.
Read articleThird 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%. How much could your monthly mortgage repayments decrease?
Read articleSkipping pre-approval sees 1-in-10 first home buyers miss out
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 didn’t have home loan pre-approval.
Read articleHow your home can help your kids get a great education
Location, location, location. Or should we say: education, education, education.
Read articleNewly 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 financial incentives available to new home buyers.
Read articleHas 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.
Read articleTwo-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 loan – and it could be costing them.
Read articleSmall 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.
Read articleWhat Comes First: the Property or the Loan?
It’s easy to get carried away with the fun part of buying a property – looking at houses – but delaying the less compelling task of arranging finance will weaken your negotiating position on both the property and the loan. Looking for a property to purchase is an exciting time.
Read articleThis information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal financial situation, needs or objectives. Before acting on this information, you should consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and seek independent financial advice.