Author: Om Financials
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Investors Selling Up: Implications for Home Loan Seekers
There’s a bit of a shake-up happening in the property market right now. More and more landlords are throwing in the towel and selling. A survey from the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) found that almost 17% of investors sold at least one place in 2025. That’s up from 14% last year, and 12% […]
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How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying for a Personal Loan
Securing a personal loan can be a pivotal step toward achieving your goals, whether that’s consolidating debt, funding a major purchase, or covering an unexpected expense. Furthermore, before you even begin the application process, there is one crucial element that can dramatically influence your chances of approval, the interest rate you receive, and, above all, […]
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AI in Housing Approvals: Will It Really Ease the Crunch?
The NSW government has launched an AI planning tender to speed up approvals for new housing. Ministers say it will “blitz the approvals backlog” of roughly 26,000 homes currently stuck in environmental assessments, letting builders focus on construction instead of paperwork. Housing Minister Clare O’Neil even put it bluntly: “It’s too hard to build a […]
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First Home Buyer’s Checklist: From Loan Application to Keys
The journey to buy your first home is one of the most exciting milestones in life. Buying your first home can involve several steps, from preparing your finances to completing settlement. This first home buyer checklist can help you organise the process and understand what to consider along the way. While the dream of holding […]
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Why Home Loan Pre-Approval Gives You a Competitive Edge
Pre-approval for a home loan is not just a basic preliminary step; it’s a strategic advantage that can significantly enhance your position in a competitive property market. It provides a significant layer of clarity, confidence, and leverage, transforming you from a prospective buyer into a serious contender. For prospective homeowners, a home loan pre-approval is […]
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Mortgage Brokers’ Guide: Fixed Home Loan Rates Drop Below 5%
Westpac has just slashed its two-year fixed home loan rate to 4.89%, making it the first of Australia’s big four banks to go under 5%. This 0.70-percentage-point cut applies to principal-and-interest loans with a 30% deposit. The reductions aren’t just for Westpac – the cuts extend across its brands (St George, BankSA and Bank of […]
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Australia’s Property Values Climb with New Home Guarantee Update
Cotality Data Highlights Why Finance Readiness Matters New information from Cotality demonstrates Australia’s property market is regaining speed, resulting in an increased sense of urgency for buyers and investors to prepare their finances. National dwelling values increased by +0.7 in August 2025, the largest monthly increase since May 2024, with the median value now $848,858 […]
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From 5% Deposit to $1.5M Homes: Major Shake-Up in Home Guarantee Scheme
A key enhancement of the forthcoming Home Guarantee Scheme is the elimination of the annual cap on the index of State guarantee allocations. Previously, the Scheme enforced an annual cap, causing a persistent shortfall that regularly excluded prospective first-home purchasers from programme benefits. Effective October 2025, the cap will be abolished, and every eligible applicant […]
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LVR Decoded: How Your Deposit Impacts Your Loan Application
In Australia’s dynamic property market, the deposit doesn’t just secure a home—it primarily defines the financial leverage. For many Australians, the exceptional journey to homeownership is a significant milestone, a testament to years of careful planning in conjunction with disciplined savings. If you’re gearing up to apply for a home loan, your deposit could hold […]
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Are You Eligible for LMI Waiver? Here’s What Banks Look For
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is one of the highest upfront costs Australian home buyers face when borrowing with less than a 20% deposit. Depending on the loan size and LVR, LMI can add anywhere from $5,000 to over $30,000 to the cost of purchasing a home. However, a select group of borrowers can secure a […]
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