Posts

Macquarie, ING, Bankwest, Bank of Queensland and ME Bank - what they do better, and where they still trail.

February 5, 2026

Australian citizen: 95%. PR: 95%. 186/482/485: 80%. Non-resident: 70%. The practical effect on your budget.

February 3, 2026

Victoria charges an additional 4% on land held by absentee owners. The definition of 'absentee' and the carve-outs.

February 1, 2026

5-year temporary visa with PR pathway via 191. The employer obligations and the regional definition.

January 31, 2026

Salary-sacrifice up to $15k a year (cap $50k total) into super, then withdraw for your first home deposit. The tax wins.

January 28, 2026

IO is not free money - the reversion step-up can be brutal. Four scenarios where IO genuinely saves cash, and three where it loses.

January 25, 2026

APRA tells lenders to assess borrowers at current rate + 3%. It's why a 6% loan gets stress-tested at 9%.

January 24, 2026

Full exemption for the home you actually live in - but the six-year rule, partial exemptions and death transfers complicate things.

January 23, 2026

Temporary skilled visa holders can still borrow - LVR capped at 70-80% and income shaded by some lenders. Who treats them best.

January 22, 2026

Western Australia's FHOG is $10,000 for new builds only; duty concessions are separate. Eligibility and interaction.

January 19, 2026