Rateseeker

11/05/2026

Buying a home right now isn’t just about saving a deposit.

With interest rate movements, rising property prices and potential policy changes on the horizon, borrowers are facing a market that rewards preparation, not guesswork.

Rateseeker Managing Director Nick Chong recently shared his perspective with SmartCompany on what the 2026 Federal Budget could mean for first home buyers, investors and everyday borrowers.

His key message?
Don’t wait for the “perfect” market.

Know what you can borrow. Understand your rate. Review your loan structure. And don’t assume your current bank is giving you the best deal just because they haven’t called.

The people who move well in this market are the ones who are ready when opportunity shows up.

Read the full article here:
https://www.smartcompany.com.au/federal-budget-2026/bold-rd-incentives-housing-reform-what-businesses-want-2026-budget/

10/02/2026

Mortgage broking is more than approval and settlement.

It’s strategy.

Our founder and director Nick shares why working alongside financial advisers creates stronger outcomes, because lending decisions don’t exist in a vacuum. They impact tax, investment strategy, risk, and long-term wealth.

At Rateseeker, we’ve partnered with .com.au because they connect clients with trusted, vetted financial advisers who look at the bigger picture, not just the loan.

When brokers and advisers work together:
• your structure is smarter
• your risk is managed properly
• your long-term goals stay aligned

Naviyo makes it easier to find the right financial expertise at the right stage of your journey, and that’s exactly why we work with them.

The right loan is powerful.
The right strategy behind it is transformational.

16/12/2025

⏱️ Want your refinance approved faster and with less stress?

Most refinance delays are avoidable. In fact, they usually come down to a few simple steps that borrowers overlook before applying.

Preparing your documents upfront keeps your application moving instead of sitting in a queue waiting for missing information.

Requesting your discharge early removes one of the biggest settlement bottlenecks, especially with lenders that take weeks to process it.

And keeping your bank statements clean for the last 90 days helps lenders assess your file faster, with fewer follow-up questions.

These small actions can save days or even weeks on your refinance timeline.

Follow for practical tips that help you refinance with clarity, confidence, and fewer surprises.

07/12/2025

Free home loan calculators you can actually rely on! 🏡

Most Aussies start the home loan journey feeling unsure about borrowing power, repayments or what costs to expect. That confusion disappears fast when you use the right tools.

Our free calculators give you instant clarity by showing your borrowing power, repayments, savings and buying costs in seconds. No guesswork and no overwhelm.

They also help you model real scenarios so you can make confident decisions before committing to anything. For example, you can test extra repayments, split loans, repayment timelines or how different interest rates will affect your budget.

And the best part is that they save you time and stress. By the time you speak with a broker, you already understand your position, which means faster approvals, smoother conversations and fewer back and forth questions.

If you want clarity before you apply, these tools will help you make the best choice.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to access all of our calculators for free.

28/11/2025

Self employed and want to get a home loan approved the smart way? 💡

Most self employed Aussies think they need a low doc loan, but that is not always true. Finder just released a full breakdown of what lenders actually look for, what documents matter most, and how to position your income so you can borrow with confidence.

The article explains the difference between full doc and low doc, why some lenders are stricter than others, and the mistakes that lead to unnecessary declines.

We are also excited to share that Nick Chong, Rateseeker’s Managing Director, was chosen as the expert voice for this topic. Nick explains when a low doc loan makes sense and when you can still qualify for a standard home loan with the right documentation.

If you are a sole trader, contractor or small business owner, this is required reading before you apply. It will help you understand your options and avoid the common traps.

Read the article below for all the information!

https://www.finder.com.au/home-loans/home-loans-for-self-employed-borrowers

11/11/2025

The silent trap that could cost NSW property owners billions. 💰

Most investors expect their tax bill to rise when they buy a new property.

But in NSW, that is now happening even if you do nothing at all.

The state government has frozen land tax thresholds at:

$1.075M (general) and $6.571M (premium).

They will no longer increase as land values rise, meaning more of your property becomes taxable each year.

That is what economists call “bracket creep”.

The result?

Property owners pay more each year on the same assets.

SMSFs and trusts get limited or no threshold relief.

And because land tax only applies to investment properties, the entire cost falls on landlords.

With vacancy rates below 1%, those costs will inevitably flow through to tenants as higher rents and tighter supply.

This policy will quietly raise around $1.5 billion over four years, without a single rate increase.

What you can do:

• Review your total land values (across all entities)

• Check whether your trusts qualify as fixed

• Model when your portfolio could exceed the threshold

• Budget for higher land tax costs

• Get professional advice early

While thresholds are frozen, your land values are not.

Plan ahead and protect your cash flow before the tax creep hits.

Learn more at rateseeker.com.au

21/10/2025

Australia’s property market is still moving, just not in the same direction everywhere.
Sydney’s steady. Melbourne’s warming. Brisbane? Still blazing hot.

While some buyers are waiting for rate cuts that might not come soon, smart investors are acting on data, not headlines.

Because in this market, timing isn’t everything; strategy is.

Check out the latest property update in our latest short reel.

If you're considering starting your home-buying journey in the near future, we're here to help. Get in touch with our experienced home loan strategists, and we can help you unlock new doors. Literally.

www.rateseeker.com.au

18/08/2025

Market Insight: RBA Cuts Cash Rate to 3.6% and What It Means for Borrowers
n his latest Market Insight video, Rateseeker’s Nick Chong decodes the RBA’s recent rate cut to 3.6%, the third reduction of 2025 and the lowest since early 2023. This move comes amid cooling inflation (~2.1% headline, ~2.4% core) and rising unemployment (now ~4.3%), as the RBA signals a supportive monetary stance.

Yet, the Bank also flagged a slowdown in productivity growth, trimming its forecast from 1% to 0.7%, a reminder that structural challenges remain.

Key implications for borrowers:

✅ Immediate relief: Major banks have already confirmed they’ll pass on the reduced rate to homeowners.

✅ Real savings: With full pass-through, a homeowner with a $750K mortgage could save up to $110 per month, depending on lender implementation.

✅ Refinancing surge: Early data shows a sharp uptick in refinancing activity as borrowers act quickly to optimise their loan terms.

Our Perspective:
✅ Get ahead of the curve: Don’t wait for your lender, initiate a loan review now to secure better terms.

✅ Focus on structure, not just rates: Features like offset accounts, redraw, and split loans unlock long-term value, not just headline rates.

✅ Borrow smarter, not just more: Increased borrowing capacity is tempting but should be used strategically, not just to max out.

In this dynamic market, timely, thoughtful action makes all the difference.

Watch our Director Nick’s thoughts and advice for borrowers in our reel below.

06/07/2025