Imagine being able to buy your own home with just a $12,000 deposit. That’s what the federal government’s new Help to Buy shared equity scheme can offer. But there are some pros and cons to be aware of. Let’s take a look. Think back to 2022. That’s when the Labor government first proposed a new Help to Buy scheme. It sparked plenty of interest back then. But three years is a long time to wait for anything, and chances are plenty of would-be home buyers have now forgotten about it ahead of its...

2025 has been a big year for property investors. But the rapid growth of investment lending has fuelled speculation about a possible crackdown on loans to property investors. We explain what’s happening, and why it might be worth considering bringing forward your plans. The past year has been a cracker for property investors. The tightest vacancy rates on record have seen a pick-up in rental growth. Interest rates on investment home loans are at their lowest since late 2023. And to top it...

Gen Z may be known for being tech savvy, but they’re also showing their smarts when it comes to home buying, with a surprisingly large number preparing to buy their first home before the end of the decade. Here’s how Gen Zs are making their home-buying plans happen. They don’t call it the ‘great Australian dream’ for nothing. Owning a home remains a leading goal for many Australians and a recent Westpac survey found more than one in three (35%) Gen Zs – that’s chiefly people aged in their 20s...