Articles Archives - MO'R MORTGAGE OPTIONS

If you’re a first home buyer in Canberra, here’s what you need to know

If you're a first home buyer in Canberra, the landscape just shifted in a meaningful way. (And if you haven't spoken to a mortgage broker lately, now is genuinely a great time to do so.) Let's start with the big one... Stamp duty will be abolished for ACT first home buyers from 1 July 2026. Yep, you read that correctly. The ACT has just become the first jurisdiction in Australia to abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers. There are no price caps, no income thresholds to … [Read more...]

What’s mortgage stress, and are you at risk?

Mortgage stress is a term that's been getting a lot of airtime lately, and for good reason. According to Roy Morgan research, more than 1.3 million Australian mortgage holders (this means about one in four) are now considered at risk of mortgage stress. That's a big number and with rate hikes in Feb, March and May 2026, we know there are many homeowners finding things tough right now. Mortgage stress is typically defined as the point when repayments exceed a certain % of one’s gross … [Read more...]

May26: Rate hikes are back. Here’s what that means for your mortgage.

Just when we thought we were through the worst of it, the RBA went and hiked rates again. After cutting rates three times through 2025, the Reserve Bank has lifted the cash rate in February 2026, again in March, and again in May. The cash rate now sits back at 4.35%, essentially wiping out any rate relief from last year. For anyone on a variable rate loan, the 2026 rate hikes sting. If you haven't reviewed your loan recently, there's a real chance you're now paying more than you need to … [Read more...]

Why you should review your home loan regularly (yes, we’re talking to you)

We get it. Life is busy. Between work, family, and everything else on your plate, your home loan probably isn't at the top of the to-do list. It's set up, the repayments are coming out, and nothing has gone obviously wrong. So why not leave your loan as it is? Here's the thing: staying with the same loan out of inertia is one of the most common and costly financial mistakes Australian homeowners make. The mortgage market is competitive, lenders regularly release better deals to attract … [Read more...]

Fixed vs variable rate home loans – which is right for you?

When you take out a home loan or review an existing one, you'll need to make a decision to go with a variable rate, a fixed interest rate or a combination of both. It's a choice that can affect your monthly repayments, flexibility and ultimately your peace of mind around your household budgeting. There's not one correct answer for everyone. The right choice depends on your personal circumstances, your financial goals, and how you feel if rates moved sharply in either direction. Here's what … [Read more...]

Is now the right time to buy property?

This is one of the top questions we’re fielding from clients at the moment. The 'right time' to buy enormously depends on who you are, what you're trying to achieve, and where your finances sit right now. If you’ve been asking yourself the same question, here we walk through some of the key considerations for first home buyers and investors alike, to help you arrive at the right answer for you. For first home buyers The case for buying now For many first home buyers, the … [Read more...]

Should I pay extra into my loan, or build up my cash savings instead?

With discussion of further rate increases on the horizon, we know many homeowners are asking: Should I stash cash in savings, or smash down my home loan balance? So, what *is* the best approach? Should you be striving to pay your loan off faster? Or should you build up cash reserves to provide a buffer for potentially higher interest rates and loan repayments? What are some other things you may want to consider here? Why should you pay your loan off faster … [Read more...]

Who owns investment properties? (It might not be who you think it is)

You might think owning an investment property is only for the ultra-wealthy. You’d be wrong. Because many property investors are just everyday people in everyday professions. Here we look at the occupations with the highest number of property investors in Australia and outline practical ways you could potentially become one yourself. Home ownership is still the ‘great Australian dream.’ But once you're lucky enough to get that first home, building an investment property … [Read more...]

Are property prices expected to increase in 2026?

2025 was a challenging year for buyers but a good year for home owners, with the Home Value Index increasing by 8.6% and adding approximately $71.4k to the national median dwelling value. A recent report released by KPMG, suggests Australian house prices across could climb another 7.7% in 2026, despite uncertainty around interest rates. Of course, a lot can happen to impact property prices over the next 12 months. So, how might prices perform in your state? Below is a rundown of … [Read more...]

Buying at Auction with a High LVR Loan

Auctions can be an exhilarating way to secure your dream property, but they do carry additional risks you need to be aware of. Whilst you might try to avoid purchasing via auction altogether, often it’s unavoidable – especially if a property you love is being sold that way. Here we examine the inherent risks associated with purchasing via auction. We also provide some tips help to minimise these risks, so you can give yourself the best chance of securing the property you want without … [Read more...]