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Buying before you sell? Bridging loans explained
Buying your next home before selling your current one can be challenging, but it may be possible with the right approach. A bridging loan can help cover the gap between buying and selling, and we unpack what you need to know to decide if it's right for you.

Connected Home Loans
Apr 273 min read


Offset or redraw: Things to consider as rates rise
As interest rates rise, many borrowers are taking a closer look at how their home loan is structured. Features like offset accounts and redraw facilities may help reduce interest costs - but they work in different ways and may suit different structures. Here’s what to consider when deciding what’s right for you.

Connected Home Loans
Apr 233 min read


3 tips to navigate the risks and rewards of interstate investing
Thinking about investing outside your home state? Interstate property investing can open the door to new opportunities you may not have considered. Before you jump in, it’s important to understand the key factors involved. Here are three tips to help you make a more informed decision.

Connected Home Loans
Apr 134 min read


What happens when you refinance your home loan?
With interest rates continuing to shift, refinancing your home loan may help you find an option with a more competitive rate or improved features. Before making the move, it’s important to understand how the process works and what to expect.
Here’s a breakdown to help you feel more confident about your options.

Connected Home Loans
Apr 63 min read


Why many first home buyers choose to work with a mortgage broker
More Australians are turning to brokers for assistance with their home loans, with 7 in 10 new home loans in 2025 arranged through a broker. For first home buyers, a broker can help you compare options, understand your borrowing position, and guide you through the process with greater clarity. Here’s how working with a broker can support your path to home ownership.

Connected Home Loans
Mar 302 min read


Are you secretly paying ‘loyalty tax’ on your home loan?
Many homeowners stay with the same lender for years without checking whether their loan is still competitive. In this article, we take a closer look at ‘loyalty tax’, how it can quietly add up, and what borrowers can do to keep their home loan competitive.

Connected Home Loans
Mar 162 min read


Property investment trends for 2026
As 2026 unfolds, we continue to see investment property trends evolve in response to the changing market conditions. Here, we explore the key factors influencing investor behaviour and what they could mean for property decisions this year.

Connected Home Loans
Mar 93 min read


First home buyer decisions: Apartment or a house on land?
Buying your first home is a major milestone, and choosing between an apartment and a house on land isn’t always straightforward. We break down key lifestyle, budget and long-term considerations to help you make a more informed choice.

Connected Home Loans
Mar 23 min read


Your budgeting guide to buying your first home
Buying your first home is an exciting milestone but saving a deposit can feel like a major hurdle for many Australians. This step-by-step guide outlines ways to build your savings and prepare for your first home.

Connected Home Loans
Feb 33 min read


Property investment in 2026: 5 points investors are keeping in mind
As a new year begins, many property investors are taking time to review their goals and plans. With conditions continuing to change, we outline five key points investors are keeping in mind when considering property investment in 2026.

Connected Home Loans
Jan 223 min read


Is your home loan still healthy? Here’s what to check.
With interest rates shifting and lending options evolving, your home loan may no longer be working in the same way it once did. This guide highlights what to check in a home loan health review and how small changes may influence your loan over time.

Connected Home Loans
Jan 222 min read


Buy Now, Pay Later: could it affect your home loan approval?
If you use Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Afterpay and Zip, it may affect how lenders assess your home loan application. Here’s a quick overview of the new BNPL rules and what they mean if you’re looking to buy a property.

Connected Home Loans
Jan 53 min read


2025 in review, what to expect in 2026
Well, that’s almost a wrap on 2025 and what a year it’s been for the property market. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from 2025 and see what aspiring property purchasers can expect from 2026. Looking back on 2025 Interest rates came down The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) started the year with a bang, with a cash rate cut in February of 0.25% to 4.10%. Rates held steady in April, but borrowers celebrated again in May, when the RBA cut the cash rate a further 0.2

Connected Home Loans
Dec 19, 20254 min read


Tips for a budget-friendly festive season
The festive season is a time to celebrate, relax and connect with loved ones, but it can also put extra pressure on the household budget. With the rising cost of living, a little planning can go a long way towards keeping the season merry without overspending. The festive season can be expensive, especially with the current cost-of-living crisis and increasing financial pressures on households. A study by ASIC last year found that Aussies estimated they would spend an averag

Connected Home Loans
Dec 8, 20253 min read


Your guide to investing in a holiday home
Imagine waking up in a cosy mountain retreat or in a beach shack overlooking the ocean – all in your very own holiday home. Sounds dreamy, right? Whether you’re after a sea change, a tree change, or simply a place to unwind, investing in a holiday home can be an attractive way to diversify your property portfolio and create a retreat to escape to. But before you turn this dream into a reality, here are a few reality checks you may need to consider before you dive in. Plan how

Connected Home Loans
Dec 8, 20253 min read


4 steps to help you avoid overpaying for your first home
Home prices continue to climb across Australia. In October, national dwelling values rose 1.1% – the strongest monthly gain since June 2023. Several factors are fuelling the uptick in growth. One is the lack of housing supply in many markets. The expansion of the Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme from 1 October also saw a surge in first homebuyer activity and added demand to the lower and middle price points of the market. The scheme has made it easier for first home

Connected Home Loans
Nov 25, 20252 min read


4 signs to spot a growth suburb
While it’s impossible to predict the next booming area with certainty, there are clear indicators that can help you identify a suburb with long-term growth potential. Here’s how to spot whether you’re living in, or buying into, a suburb on the rise.

Connected Home Loans
Oct 30, 20252 min read


Should you buy new or established? Here’s what to consider
Buying a home comes with one of the biggest decisions you’ll face – do you go for a brand new build or choose an established property?...

Connected Home Loans
Oct 2, 20252 min read


Big changes to the First Home Buyers 5% Deposit Scheme
From 1 October 2025, the government’s First Home Guarantee scheme will expand, making it possible for more Australians to buy a home with...

Connected Home Loans
Sep 29, 20253 min read


Refinancing is on the rise – what’s driving the trend?
With interest rates falling this year, more Australians are taking a fresh look at their home loans. In fact, close to 100,000 borrowers...

Connected Home Loans
Sep 29, 20252 min read
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