Collective Financial Solutions, Melbourne (2026)

14/04/2026

More buyers are turning to new builds as population growth lifts established home prices.

New home sales in the January 2026 quarter were 26.2% higher than a year earlier, according to the Housing Industry Association.

One key reason is demand.

Australia’s strong population growth has pushed up prices in the established housing market. That’s making it harder for some buyers to find affordable options.

For many households, building a new home has become an alternative entry strategy.

How construction finance works

Financing a new build is different from buying an existing home.

Instead of receiving the full loan at settlement, the lender releases funds in stages as the construction progresses.

These stages typically include:
slab or foundation
frame
lock-up
fit-out
completion
During construction, borrowers usually pay interest-only on the funds already drawn down, which can help manage cash flow while the home is being built.

New builds may also come with grants, incentives or stamp duty concessions depending on where you buy.

Construction loans follow a different process from standard mortgages, so it helps to plan ahead before signing a building contract.

Happy to talk through how the financing works and what lenders typically require.

EXPLORE CONSTRUCTION LOAN OPTIONS

13/04/2026

More buyers are entering the market sooner – even as interest rates rise.

New data from banking regulator APRA shows a sharp increase in buyers purchasing with smaller deposits.

The share of owner-occupier loans with a deposit of 5% or less rose 59.8% over the year to December 2025.

That shift closely follows the federal government’s expansion of the 5% Deposit Scheme in October 2025.

Even after the recent rate rise, demand remains strong – suggesting many buyers are still confident about entering the market.

Why this is happening

The scheme allows eligible buyers to purchase with just a 5% deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance (LMI).

For many first home buyers, avoiding LMI can mean saving tens of thousands of dollars.

Instead of waiting years to save a full 20% deposit, some buyers are choosing to enter the market sooner.

More buyers are also looking at affordable or regional areas, where borrowing capacity can stretch further in a higher-rate environment.

What this means for buyers

This isn’t just a statistic – it’s a practical pathway.

But eligibility rules, lender participation and loan structure all matter.

Getting those details right can make a significant difference.

I can help you understand how the scheme works, check your eligibility and structure the loan to suit your situation.

SEE IF YOU COULD BUY WITH 5%

16/03/2026

New debt-to-income (DTI) limits have taken effect as of 1 February, creating a guardrail around the riskiest home loans.

From this month, APRA, the banking regulator, will ensure that authorised deposit-taking institutions keep high-DTI loans to no more than 20% of their new mortgage lending in both owner-occupier and investor segments. A ‘high-DTI’ loan is one where your total debts are six times your annual income or more.

This isn’t a ban – but a cap. Lenders can still write high-DTI mortgages, just not above the set limit.

Where borrowers may feel the impact

These limits aim to contain emerging financial risks as housing credit and prices climb from already high levels. APRA has observed a modest rise in higher-geared lending, especially from investors, and wants to ensure vulnerabilities don’t build up across the system.

Limits like this don’t change your credit score or eligibility by themselves – but they can influence how lenders assess applications under different risk appetites.

If you’re planning a purchase this year, understanding how lenders assess your income and debt together can help you position your application for a more competitive outcome.

CHECK HOW THE NEW RULES AFFECT YOU

09/03/2026

Borrowers are now feeling the impact of February’s rate move.

Since the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifted the cash rate on 3 February, many lenders – including all four major banks – have increased their variable rates. That means the typical variable borrower is now paying more in interest.

And it didn’t start there.

Several lenders had already begun lifting fixed rates in the weeks before the RBA decision, pricing in the likelihood of a move. So even borrowers locking in recently may have secured higher rates than they would have late last year.

How this change is playing out
Variable rates tend to move quickly after RBA changes.
Fixed rates often move in advance.
Not all lenders adjust at the same pace or by the same amount.
This is why comparison matters.

Even in a rising-rate environment, pricing gaps between lenders can be meaningful. Loan structure – offsets, repayment type and flexibility – can also make a noticeable difference over time.

If you’d like me to check whether your current rate is still competitive in today’s market, get in touch and I’ll run the numbers for you.

SEE IF YOUR RATE STILL STACKS UP

06/03/2026

Renting and buying are both getting harder at the same time – and that tension is shaping decisions across the market.

Australia’s national vacancy rate is just 1.2%, according to SQM Research, while the national median property price has climbed to a record $912,000, according to Cotality. Prices are up 9.4% over the past year and 46.1% over five years.

That combination is creating pressure.

If you’re renting

Low vacancy means competition stays strong and rent rises remain a risk at renewal time. When rents keep edging higher, the rent-versus-buy calculation can shift quickly – especially if you’re already close to servicing a mortgage.

If you’re buying

Record prices don’t mean opportunities disappear, but they do mean preparation matters more. A clear budget, realistic expectations and pre-approval can help you move confidently when the right property appears.

It’s also worth remembering that long-term growth is built over years, not months. Timing the market perfectly is far less important than choosing a loan structure that remains manageable.

Rising rents and rising prices make clarity more important. I can help you compare renting versus buying based on your numbers, not headlines, and map out a realistic next step.

27/02/2026

Loan activity is rising again – but that doesn’t mean banks have loosened the gates.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data show the number of new loan commitments (excluding refinancing) in the December 2025 quarter was 13.4% higher than a year earlier. Under the surface:
Owner-occupier activity rose 7.4%.
First home buyer loans increased 9.1%.
Investor activity jumped 23.6%, with investor loans hitting a quarterly record.

That tells us confidence is improving. But it doesn’t mean credit is flowing freely.

Lenders are still assessing serviceability carefully. Buffers remain in place. And from 1 February, limits on high debt-to-income lending add another layer of discipline at the margins.

What this means for you

More activity usually means more competition – both for property and for certain loan types. If you’re buying, your preparation matters. If you’re investing, your structure matters.

The key lesson? Rising activity rewards borrowers who understand their numbers before they step into the market.

Want clarity on how current lending conditions affect your borrowing position? I can walk you through what today’s numbers mean for your plans and compare lenders to find a structure that suits your situation.

CHECK YOUR BORROWING CAPACITY NOW

10/02/2026

After a challenging few years for household budgets, there’s some encouraging news for borrowers.

New research from Roy Morgan shows mortgage stress has dropped to its lowest level since January 2023, indicating many households are starting to feel more comfortable with their repayments.

Even so, now’s a good time to think ahead. Building a buffer into your loan can help protect you if rates, expenses or income change down the track.

If you’re buying this year, don’t test your budget at today’s repayment only. A safer approach is to check whether you could still manage if rates rose, your expenses jumped or your income changed.

If you already have a loan, you’ve got options if cash flow feels tight:
Refinancing to reduce the rate or improve features.
Restructuring (term, repayment type, offsets) to smooth repayments.
Consolidating higher-interest debts so more of your money goes to the mortgage, not interest.
Plenty of people feel cash flow pressure at times – it’s nothing to be ashamed of. The key is catching it early while you still have choices.

If you want to sense-check your repayments or make your loan more comfortable, contact me and we’ll map out options that fit your situation.

With investor activity rising and new buyer schemes reshaping demand, 2026 is already off to a busy start. If you’re planning a move this year – buying, investing or restructuring – let’s talk through your options early.

BOOK A FREE APPOINTMENT

07/02/2026

Smart investing in 2026 may be less about pushing limits and more about keeping your lending options flexible.

A few trends are already shaping how investors approach the year ahead:
Tighter lending for bigger loans. From February, banks must limit how many higher debt-to-income loans they write, which may reduce borrowing power for some investors and make outcomes vary more from lender to lender.
Rates still matter – even between Reserve Bank meetings. Lenders can change pricing and serviceability settings independently, which can affect your borrowing capacity and your cash flow.
More investors are using alternative pathways. Self-managed super fund investing and rentvesting are staying popular for people balancing lifestyle choices with longer-term wealth building.
With rules and lender settings moving around, the difference often comes down to which lender you use and how the loan is set up – repayment type, offset strategy, buffers and making sure today’s choice doesn’t block tomorrow’s plans. e

If you’re reviewing an investment loan or planning your next purchase, contact me and I’ll help you structure it with flexibility in mind.

05/02/2026

If you’re shopping in the ‘affordable’ bracket, competition may be getting tougher, not easier.

Since the federal government expanded the 5% Deposit Scheme in October 2025, Cotality analysis shows homes under the scheme’s price caps have generally outperformed homes above them. In the December quarter, median prices rose 3.6% under the cap versus 2.4% above the cap.

Why would the lower end grow faster?
Buyers moved early. Some people acted ahead of the official start date to buy before conditions got tighter.
Borrowing limits are doing the steering. With serviceability still a hurdle, more buyers are gravitating toward properties that feel manageable week to week.
Quick reality check before you rely on the scheme
Price caps matter (and vary by location).
Not every lender treats the scheme the same way.
Your borrowing limit still depends on normal credit checks.
If you’re considering a purchase under the 5% Deposit Scheme cap, contact me and I’ll check eligibility, lender participation and what the repayments look like.

SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THE 5% DEPOSIT SCHEME

03/02/2026

More investors are stepping back into the market – and the data shows it’s a big shift.

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the value of investor loan commitments jumped 17.6% in the September 2025 quarter, and was 18.7% higher than a year earlier.

Investors now account for 40.6% of the value of all new loan commitments, the highest share since 2016. That tells us investor confidence is building, even as affordability pressures remain.

What’s pulling investors back in?

Price growth and rental demand are doing the heavy lifting.
National dwelling prices rose 8.6% over 2025.
Rents climbed 5.2% over the same period, supporting stronger rental income.
Yields did edge lower, slipping from 3.7% at the end of 2024 to 3.6% at the end of 2025, because prices rose faster than rents. Even so, yields remain well above the pandemic low of 3.2% in 2021.

For investors, yield is only one part of the equation. Borrowing capacity, cash flow buffers and loan structure also matter, because they determine how sustainable an investment is, not how profitable it looks on paper.

If you’re thinking about investing, I can help you sense-check the numbers and see how an investment loan would stack up alongside your existing commitments.

RUN THE NUMBERS ON AN INVESTMENT LOAN

12/01/2026

Borrowers hoping for more cuts next year may need to adjust expectations after a run of higher-than-expected inflation.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept the cash rate at 3.60% in December, but inflation has climbed to 3.8% after four consecutive monthly increases. If inflation remains above the 2–3% target band in 2026, the RBA is unlikely to cut rates – and some economists warn the next move could even be up.

Speaking after the decision, RBA governor Michele Bullock said: “I don’t think there are interest rate cuts on the horizon for the foreseeable future.”

Economist Warren Hogan went further, calling on the RBA to start hiking rates from the first quarter of 2026.

How this affects your loan in 2026
Coming off a fixed rate – Your repayments may jump. Reviewing your loan now can help you plan ahead and avoid pressure later.
On a variable rate – Banks can change pricing independently of the RBA. A quick comparison may uncover a sharper rate or a more stable structure.
Planning ahead – The next six months will be important as lenders adjust to shifting inflation expectations and new lending rules. Being proactive can help you stay in control of your repayments.
If you’d like clarity on how the rate outlook affects you, I can review your loan and show you your options for the year ahead.

Collective Financial Solutions

14/04/2026

13/04/2026

16/03/2026

09/03/2026

06/03/2026

27/02/2026

10/02/2026

07/02/2026

05/02/2026

03/02/2026

12/01/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category