From the Team at Claremont

The Commonwealth and Victoria have struck a near $3 billion deal for new housing infrastructure, with over 25,000 homes earmarked for first home buyers. Here is what the numbers actually show, and when it might help you.

The RBA raised the cash rate to 4.85 per cent this week, its fifth rise this year. Here's what the decision, the vote split and the latest repayment modelling mean for your mortgage.

New ABS figures show approvals for houses fell in September while approvals for apartments and townhouses jumped. Here is what the split actually means for buyers.

A new Property Council survey finds most Victorians blame state taxes for housing costs, and the industry wants the First Home Owner Grant doubled to $20,000.

September's inflation numbers came in hotter than expected, pushing the market's odds of a Reserve Bank rate rise next Tuesday to around 90 percent. Here is what the figures show and what a rise would mean for your repayments.

The federal Coalition has pledged to abolish the Help to Buy scheme if elected, as part of a broader budget savings package. Here is what that actually means, and does not mean, for first home buyers today.

The latest construction cost index shows building costs picked up pace again this quarter, but Victoria recorded the mildest rise of any state. Here is what it means if you are building or renovating.

The Reserve Bank is expected to lift the cash rate for the fifth time this year on Tuesday. The big four banks agree on that, but not on what happens after.

New data shows more than one in five recent buyers now have less equity than a lender would like, and the regulator's serviceability buffer is making it harder to refinance even for borrowers with a clean repayment history. Here is what is actually going on and what you can do about it.

First home buyers are increasingly choosing apartments and regional areas to make the numbers work, even as new data shows fewer of them are getting into the market at all.

New data shows a record share of Melbourne residents moved to regional Australia last quarter, while regional property values are now rising faster than the capitals. Here is what that means if a regional move is on your own radar.

A new ASIC report found mortgage brokers don't always recommend the cheapest loan on the shortlist. Here is what the findings actually mean, and what is fair to ask your own broker.

The Reserve Bank's minutes leave the door open to another rate rise, and new figures show mortgage affordability nearing a 1989 record. Here is what both mean for your budget before the November decision.

New Westpac and Equifax data show first home buyers feel more motivated than ever, yet mortgage applications keep falling. Here is why the two don't add up, and what it means for your own plans.

As bank branches keep closing across Australia, the share of new home loans arranged by brokers has hit a record high. Here is what that shift means if you are buying or refinancing.

New arrears data shows mortgage stress is concentrated in a handful of postcodes, not spread evenly. Here is what is driving it and what to do if it applies to you.

The 5 per cent deposit scheme made first home buyer loans jump by almost $50,000 in a year. New research shows four rate rises have already eaten through a third of the saving.

Victoria's new rule means buyers get the seller's reserve price a week before auction. Here's what the change means in practice and why your finance should be ready first.

Lenders have repriced fixed and variable rates well beyond the Reserve Bank's September move. Here is what actually happened and how to weigh up fixed versus variable from here.

Two more lenders now offer the Help to Buy shared equity scheme, but Commonwealth Bank still doesn't offer it through brokers. Here is how the scheme works and what the changes mean for you.