Upgraders Archives - MO'R MORTGAGE OPTIONS

Canberra Property Prices

Property headlines are everywhere at the moment, and most of them aren't exactly cheerful. If you're thinking about buying, selling or just wondering what your home is worth, it's easy to feel a bit rattled. So let's take a calm look at what's happening nationally, what's happening here in Canberra, and what it means for your next move. What the headlines are saying The national picture first. According to the Cotality Home Value Index, Australian property values fell 1.1% in … [Read more...]

Before You Say Yes to Lenny the Lender, Read This (Our 2026 Edition)

A while back, we wrote about Lenny: the friendly lender who rings out of the blue to see how things are going. Well, from all reports Lenny's been especially busy lately! We've had lots of clients tell us about unsolicited calls from banks they hold an account with. And as rates have climbed, so has the number of "special offers" supposedly on the table. First up, let it be clear: we're not anti-Lenny Your lender calling to check in is completely reasonable. You pay them interest … [Read more...]

Five Rate Rises in for 2026… how are your stress levels?

On Tuesday 3 Nov, the RBA lifted the cash rate to 4.85%, its fifth increase of 2026. Sigh. Over the next week or so, your lender is likely to pass on the increase, and your repayments will then be adjusted. The gap between the announcement and when your first higher repayment kicks in is your window to get organised. Let’s take a closer look at things now, so you’re in the best position to start 2027 off on the right foot. Why it pays to review your home loan sooner rather than … [Read more...]

Job Security and Your Mortgage: A Very Canberra Conversation (it’s bigger than the APS)

With ongoing budget pressure on the public service and redundancies making headlines, it's understandable that job security is front of mind for a lot of Canberra households. But it's worth saying clearly: this isn't only a public service story. We know plenty of private employers are going through their own restructuring right now too. The most useful thing you can do — even if your job feels completely safe The best time to review your mortgage is before you need to, not … [Read more...]

Hold, Hike or Cut? What the RBA’s Aug Rate Call Actually Means for Your Mortgage

Ever lie in bed running through your mortgage repayments while you wait for the Reserve Bank to make up its mind? You're not alone... this month's decision is a good excuse to actually do something about it, rather than just doom-scroll the headlines. So, what actually happened In August, RBA Board members made a unanimous call to keep the cash rate on hold at 4.35%. Inflation has cooled from its highs, and property price growth has eased more than expected so on the surface, this sounds … [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...]

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...]

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