Cobblestone Financial

16/06/2026

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% following its June monetary policy meeting. Read the full statement here.

The latest inflation data presents a mixed picture. Annual trimmed mean inflation – the RBA's preferred measure – rose to 3.4% in the 12 months to April 2026, up from 3.3% in March, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Headline inflation, however, eased to 4.2% over the same period, down from 4.6% in March, as fuel price pressures began to moderate following a temporary reduction in the fuel excise duty.

At its May meeting, where the Reserve Bank raised the cash rate for the third time in a row, the Board said interest rates were now likely high enough to slow the economy. This would give policymakers time to monitor developments in the Middle East and assess how Australian households and businesses respond to higher borrowing costs. RBA assistant governor Sarah Hunter recently reinforced this view, saying the Board is closely watching inflation expectations to make sure temporary price pressures do not become a longer-term problem.

With so much uncertainty about the cash rate, it can help to talk to an expert. Contact me if you'd like to discuss your situation and options.
https://www.cobblestonefinancial.com.au/book-appointments/

14/06/2026

What's really stopping you from buying a home right now? 🤔

For many people, it's not a lack of motivation.
It's one of these four things:

🅰️ The Deposit
"I just haven't saved enough yet."

🅱️ Borrowing Power
"I'm not sure I can borrow enough."

🅲️ Finding the Right Property
"I've been looking, but nothing feels right."

🅳️ Not Sure Where to Start
"The whole process feels overwhelming."

The interesting thing is that what people think is holding them back isn't always the real obstacle.

I've spoken to clients who thought they needed another $50,000 deposit...
🏡 They didn't.

I've spoken to clients who thought they couldn't borrow enough...
💰 They could.

And I've spoken to plenty of people who simply needed a plan and some guidance to get moving in the right direction.

👇 I'd love to know...

What's stopping you from buying a home right now?
Drop your answer in the comments.

Book an initial consult today, might be surprised to learn you're closer than you think.
https://www.cobblestonefinancial.com.au/book-appointments/

03/06/2026

🤔 Why investors are reassessing their strategy

There’s still uncertainty around how these reforms may eventually play out and lenders are in the process of updating serviceability calculators as we speak.

But one thing is clear:
📊 The conversation around investment property strategy has changed.

If you’re thinking about:
✔️ Buying an investment property
✔️ Refinancing
✔️ Restructuring your investment loans

…it’s worth understanding how these proposed changes could affect your long-term plans.

📞 Let’s have a conversation and explore your options.
https://www.cobblestonefinancial.com.au/book-appointments/

28/05/2026

🏡💰 Big proposed changes for property investors are now on the table

The Federal Budget has proposed major changes to:
📉 Negative gearing
📊 Capital gains tax (CGT)

…and investors across Australia are starting to reassess their plans.

📅 What’s being proposed from 1 July 2027?

Under the proposal:
🏠 Negative gearing on residential property would largely be limited to new builds only

AND

💸 The current 50% CGT discount could be replaced with:
✔️ Inflation indexation
✔️ A new 30% minimum tax on capital gains

👀 What does this mean for current investors?

Importantly, investment properties purchased before 12 May 2026 would be exempt from the proposed negative gearing changes.

So for many existing investors, there may be little immediate impact.

But for future buyers… the landscape could look very different.

🚧 Why new builds may become more attractive

The Government has made it clear they want to encourage investment into newly constructed housing.

Eligible new builds may still allow investors to:
✔️ Access negative gearing
✔️ Choose between the current CGT discount or the new indexed system

This could shift more investor demand toward:
🏗️ Off-the-plan apartments
🏡 House & land packages
🏘️ Duplex and townhouse developments

🤔 Why investors are reassessing their strategy

There’s still uncertainty around how these reforms may eventually play out…

But one thing is clear:
📊 The conversation around investment property strategy has changed.

If you’re thinking about:
✔️ Buying an investment property
✔️ Refinancing
✔️ Restructuring your investment loans

…it’s worth understanding how these proposed changes could affect your long-term plans.

📞 Let’s have a conversation and explore your options.
https://www.cobblestonefinancial.com.au/book-appointments/

25/05/2026

💡 Top Tip Tuesday 💡

🤔 What actually affects your credit score?

A lot of people think credit scores are only impacted by missed repayments… but there’s actually much more to it 👇

Your credit score can be affected by:

✔️ Paying bills or loans late
✔️ Applying for multiple loans or credit cards
✔️ Buy Now Pay Later accounts
✔️ Increasing credit card limits
✔️ Defaults or unpaid debts
✔️Having no loans at all

Even things that seem small — like applying for finance too often — can make lenders nervous 👀

🏡 Why does this matter?

Your credit score can influence:
📉 How much you can borrow
🏦 Which lenders may approve you
📊What your interest rate and risk fees will be
💰 The loan options available to you

The good news?
Many credit score issues can improve over time with the right strategy and guidance.

📞 If you’re unsure where you stand, let’s have a conversation and help you understand your options. https://www.cobblestonefinancial.com.au/book-appointments/

22/05/2026

💡 Offset accounts don’t always reduce your repayments — and this surprises a lot of people

If your home loan is Principal & Interest (P&I), putting money into your offset account will usually:
✔️ Reduce the interest charged
✔️ Help you pay off your loan faster
✔️ Reduce the overall loan term

…but your minimum repayments often stay the same 👀

That’s because your repayments are generally calculated based on the original loan structure — not the daily offset balance.

📉 So where’s the benefit?

More of your repayment goes toward the principal instead of interest, which can shave years off your loan and potentially save thousands over time 💰

🏦 Interest Only (IO) loans work differently

With an Interest Only loan, your repayments are based mainly on the interest being charged.

So if you have money sitting in your offset account:
👉 The interest charged reduces
👉 Which can reduce your actual repayments

💡 Offset accounts can be incredibly powerful — but how they work depends on your loan structure. Check out our offset calculator to see how it will benefit you. https://www.cobblestonefinancial.com.au/financial-calculators/home-loan-offset/

📞 If you’re not sure whether your offset is set up effectively, let’s review your loan and make sure it’s working as hard as possible for you.

15/05/2026

🎉 Fun Fact Friday 🎉

💡 You can still get a home loan in your 50s and 60s

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is:
👉 “I’m probably too old to get approved for a home loan.”

The truth is — many lenders will still consider home loans later in life, depending on your individual situation.

Things like:
✔️ Your income
✔️ Existing assets
✔️ Loan term
✔️ Superannuation
✔️ Exit strategy for retirement

…can all play a role in what options may be available.

Whether you’re looking to:
🏡 Buy a new home
📉 Refinance
💰 Access equity
🔄 Rebuild after separation
📍 Downsize or relocate

There may be more possibilities than you realise.Every situation is different — which is why having the right advice matters.

📞 If you’d like to understand your options, let’s have a chat. https://www.cobblestonefinancial.com.au/book-appointments/

12/05/2026

🏡 Did you know? Help to buy is open to anyone trying to get into the market.
Whether you’re a first home buyer or looking to get back into the property market, the Government’s Help to Buy Scheme could help make home ownership more achievable.
Here’s how it works 👇
✅ You will need to:
✔️ Save a minimum 2% deposit
✔️ Obtain a home loan through a participating lender
🇦🇺 The Australian Government may contribute:
🏠 Up to 30% for an existing home
🏗️ Up to 40% for a newly built home
💡 What does this actually mean?
The scheme can help:
✔️ Bridge the gap between what you can borrow and the property price
✔️ Reduce the amount you need to save upfront
✔️ Help you enter the market sooner
🏡 With Help to Buy, you own the home — however, the Government shares a portion of the property’s value based on their contribution.
That means when you sell the property (or buy out the Government’s share), any gains or losses are shared proportionally.
📞 Talk to us today to see if you are eligible - https://www.cobblestonefinancial.com.au/book-appointments/
https://www.cobblestonefinancial.com.au/contact/

11/05/2026

💡 Don’t refinance for a better rate. Refinance to a lender that ALWAYS has great rates. I can count on 1 hand who these lenders are.

What many borrowers don’t realise is this:
🏦 Some lenders offer great rates upfront… then quietly increase them later.

So while the refinance may look good today, 12–24 months down the track you could find yourself paying more again.
That’s why refinancing shouldn’t just be about chasing the lowest rate in the moment — it should be about choosing the right lender long-term.

We look beyond the headline rates.
We pay attention to:
✔️ Which lenders consistently stay competitive
✔️ Which banks regularly offer pricing discounts
✔️ Which lenders tend to increase rates after settlement
✔️ Which options actually suit your goals long-term

A good refinance strategy isn’t about a short-term win… it’s about keeping your loan competitive over time 📉

📞 If you haven’t reviewed your home loan in a while, let’s see whether your current lender is still working in your favour. https://www.cobblestonefinancial.com.au/book-appointments/

So easy to book an appointment online. Request contactless appointments via phone or zoom, otherwise if you prefer to see a consultant face to face, we do in-home or on-site visits.