Damien Gow - Finance Broker - Regional Finance

11/04/2026

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09/04/2026

17/03/2026

Cash Rate Increase to 4.10%

The RBA has made its latest cash rate announcement today.

If you’re wondering what this might mean for your current loan, refinancing options, or future plans, I’m always happy to talk it through.

15/03/2026

NSW Land Tax: The "25% Rule" Explained 🏠⚖️

Are you still exempt? In 2026, the rules for your Principal Place of Residence (PPR) have officially tightened. If you co-own your home, this update is critical for your 2026 tax bill.

The 25% Threshold
Previously, you could claim a land tax exemption even if the resident owner held just 1% of the property. As of the 2026 land tax year, any person occupying the property must hold a collective ownership interest of at least 25% to qualify for the exemption.

Who is at risk?
This change specifically targets structures often used for asset protection or family assistance:

Family Support: Parents who own 80% of a home to help their child get started (where the child owns only 20%).

Asset Protection: Couples where one partner holds 99% of the title for liability reasons while the resident partner holds 1%.

Fractional Ownership: Co-buying schemes or complex investment joint ventures.

The Consequence
If your resident ownership falls below 25%, the PPR exemption vanishes. This could trigger a surprise land tax bill based on the land value above the $1,075,000 general threshold. On a $1.5M block of land, losing this exemption could cost you over $6,900 per year.

Stay Compliant
If you’re currently under the 25% mark, you may need to restructure your ownership or adjust your titles to ensure you aren't hit with an unnecessary tax burden.

12/03/2026

Lock in 2026 prices with a 2027 move-in date. 🏗️✨

With the Sydney median house price forecast to hit $1.83M by June, many buyers are feeling priced out of the established market.
The solution? Looking forward, literally.

In 2026, Off-the-Plan strata units and townhouses are trending for a very strategic reason: they allow you to stay under the $800k FHBAS exemption. While a house in Sydney might be out of reach, a modern, well-located apartment often sits right in that "sweet spot" for zero stamp duty.

The Power of Time ⏳
Buying off-the-plan gives you a rare gift: Time.

Lock it in: You secure the price at today’s value with a small deposit (often 5–10%).
Savings Runway: You have the entire construction period—often 12 to 24 months—to keep saving.
Equity Growth: If the market continues its upward trend while the building is going up, you could walk into a home that is worth significantly more than you paid for it on day one.

The Stamp Duty Edge 📉
In NSW, off-the-plan buyers can often defer their stamp duty payment for up to 12 months. Combine that with the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme, and you’re looking at a massive reduction in the upfront cash needed to get your foot in the door.

Buying off-the-plan isn't just about a brand-new kitchen; it’s a strategic move to beat the 2026 price surge.

Buying off-the-plan?
Get your finances structured for the long haul.

10/03/2026

The Golden Ticket: $0 LMI for Professionals.

In 2026, your career could be the key to skipping one of the biggest upfront costs in property:
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

The Medical Tier 🩺
Huge news for our frontline: Doctors and Registered Nurses can now often borrow up to 90–95% of a property's value with zero LMI.

This is a massive shift for nursing staff in NSW, making homeownership far more accessible.

The Legal & Accounting Tier ⚖️
Lawyers, Solicitors, and Chartered Accountants earning over $150k (or $200k combined) are still in the prime zone to skip the LMI bill. On a standard Sydney purchase, this "waiver" can save you over $25,000 upfront.

The Teacher Breakthrough 🍎
Education is finally being rewarded. Select lenders are now offering significant LMI discounts or waivers for NSW educators in metro areas. If you’re a teacher struggling to crack the Sydney market, this is your edge.

Are you on the list? 📝
Saving $20k–$30k on insurance means your furniture budget or renovation fund is already sorted. Don't pay for insurance you might not need just because you didn't check your professional eligibility.

See if your profession qualifies for a waiver, send me a message!

08/03/2026

How to pay 0% interest on part of your mortgage. 💸🏦

With rates sitting at 3.85% and variable loans hovering around 6%, your debt is getting expensive.
Here is the smartest way to fight back.

The Offset Power Move
An offset is a transaction account linked to your loan. Every dollar in it reduces the interest you pay.

The Math: On a $500k loan, if you have $50k in your offset, the bank only charges interest on $450k.
The Result: You pay 0% interest on that $50k while keeping it fully accessible for daily spending.

Offset vs. Redraw
An Offset is a separate account with a debit card super flexible. A Redraw is just "extra" money paid into the loan itself. For most, the offset is the ultimate emergency fund because it saves you more in interest than a savings account earns in profit.

Are you overpaying?
If your money is sitting in a standard savings account while your mortgage rate is 6%, you are losing money. If your current loan doesn't have an offset feature, it’s time for a change.

Refinance for a better structure.
Let’s chat.

06/03/2026

3 Ways to Get Your Keys in 2026 🔑🏠

Stop watching from the sidelines.
In 2026, a "Triple Threat" of incentives is making homeownership achievable much sooner than you think.

1. The 5% Deposit Scheme (No LMI!)
The scheme is now officially uncapped. Buy with just a 5% deposit and pay $0 in Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

The 2026 Update: The Sydney price cap has increased to $1.5 million, covering more homes in more suburbs.

2. FHBAS: Zero Stamp Duty
Save your cash for the move, not the taxman.

Full Exemption: Pay $0 stamp duty on homes up to $800k.
Concessions: Significant discounts apply up to $1M.
The Saving: On a $780k home, that’s nearly $30k back in your pocket.

3. First Home Super Saver (FHSS)
Boost your deposit up to 30% faster by using your Super. You can contribute up to $15k per year and withdraw it at a lower tax rate for your deposit.

Why use a broker?
These schemes are powerful but complex. I coordinate the "stacking" of these benefits, ensure your lender is eligible, and handle the paperwork so you can focus on the house hunt.

04/03/2026

Don’t wait until June 29 to think about your fleet. 🚜

In business, timing is the difference between a major tax win and a missed opportunity.
It’s only February, but the EOFY clock is already ticking for NSW business owners.

In 2026, supply chain lead times remain a hurdle. To secure your tax benefits, simply ordering isn't enough.

The Golden Rule: To qualify for the $20,000 Instant Asset Write-off, your machinery must be delivered, installed, and ready for use before the June 30 deadline. Waiting until May to find stock could mean your deduction slips into the next financial year.

Choosing the right structure:
Chattel Mortgage: You own the asset from day one. It sits on your balance sheet, and you can generally claim the full GST upfront in your next BAS.

Equipment Leasing: Ideal for cash flow. The lender owns the gear, and your monthly payments are typically 100% tax-deductible as an operating expense.

Whether you’re scaling a civil works team or upgrading a transport fleet, let’s get the engine started now so you aren't left in the dust.

Scale your business today. Contact today for a tailored machinery quote.

18/02/2026

Regional NSW is no longer just a 'lifestyle' choice, it’s a major player in the 2026 property market. 🏠📈

With hubs like Newcastle, Maitland, and the Central Coast seeing consistent growth, the landscape for borrowers is changing fast. For some, it means a massive boost in home equity. For others, it means needing to act sooner rather than later to avoid being priced out of their preferred suburb.

The key to navigating this is understanding that regional lending can sometimes have different 'rules' than city lending.

If you are wondering how much equity you’ve built up, or if your borrowing power has changed with the latest 2026 updates, let’s have a chat.

15/02/2026

2026 is looking like a year of adjustment and opportunity. 📈🏠

The days of 'guessing' what interest rates will do are behind us. This year is all about stability, leveraging your current equity, and making sure your home is future-proofed for a changing market.

Whether you are looking at the booming markets in Perth and Brisbane or navigating the high-value suburbs of Sydney, the strategy remains the same: focus on what you can control.

I’ve broken down the 4 biggest trends I’m seeing on the ground right now. Which one affects your plans the most?

Let’s get ahead of the game and lock in a strategy that works for you.

👉 Book your free 2026 Strategy Session via the link in my bio.