Mark Blackwood - Mortgage Broker

03/11/2026

Being outside a lender's standard borrowing criteria doesn't always mean your home loan application will be rejected.

New figures from APRA, the banking regulator, show that 5.8% of loans funded in the June quarter involved exceptions to lenders' standard serviceability policies, up from 5.1% in March and 4.8% a year earlier.

Serviceability is a lender's assessment of whether you can afford your mortgage repayments, including a buffer for possible rate increases.

In some cases, a lender may approve a loan that falls outside its usual serviceability rules, provided the borrower can still demonstrate an acceptable ability to repay.

WHY THIS MIGHT BE ENCOURAGING
A borrower with a strong repayment history might be able to refinance even if they don't satisfy the usual assessment requirements.

Similarly, someone experiencing a temporary income reduction might have other evidence demonstrating their ability to repay.

The increase suggests some borrowers are securing loans through exceptions to standard policies – although lenders still need to be satisfied they can afford the repayments.

Not meeting a lender's standard criteria doesn't necessarily mean you're out of options. Reach out and we can discuss whether another lender or a suitable exception pathway might be available.

01/11/2026

💰 Are your savings actually working for you?
This is one of the biggest financial issues I see with clients, and it comes up regularly in everyday conversations.

If you're building your savings, the interest you earn probably won't make you rich. But you do need to make sure your money is working hard enough to keep pace with inflation.

And here's the catch...

🏦 Banks advertise attractive interest rates, but not every account qualifies. Some require minimum monthly deposits, growing balances, multiple debit card transactions or other conditions to unlock the advertised bonus rate.

For example, Westpac's Life account requires your balance to grow each month to qualify for its bonus interest. I'm not picking on Westpac — I simply know their product structure.

So, what can you do? 💡Two tips from a mortgage broker

1️⃣ No home loan? Make your savings work harder.
Look for a high-interest savings account with minimal conditions.

A quick look at the market might lead you to consider Macquarie, Teachers Mutual Bank, Bankwest, Revolut or BOQ.

Do your own research, compare the conditions and make a habit of checking your interest rate each month.

Remember: interest earned is generally taxable income.

2️⃣ Have a variable-rate home loan? Your savings could be doing double duty.
If your loan has an offset account, consider keeping your available cash there rather than in a separate savings account.

No offset? Depending on your loan's features, you may be able to pay additional funds directly into your home loan and access them later through redraw.

Why?

Your home loan interest rate is generally higher than the interest you earn on savings. And the interest you save through an offset or additional repayments on your owner-occupied home loan is generally not taxable.

That means your savings could effectively be working at your home loan interest rate — without the tax payable on savings interest.

⏳ The real benefit? Saving TIME.
You might not receive a monthly interest payment, but you're potentially reducing the interest charged on your home loan.

That means more of your regular repayment goes towards reducing the principal, helping you pay off your home sooner.

It's not necessarily about having more money in your pocket today. It's about having more financial freedom tomorrow.

I've even got a calculator on my website to help you see how much time simple changes like this could save.

A little financial housekeeping can make a significant difference over time.

💬 When was the last time you checked whether your savings account was actually earning the rate advertised?

General information only. This is not personal financial advice, nor am I a financial adviser. Loan features, fees, access to funds and individual circumstances should be considered before making changes.

31/10/2026

🏠☕ A quiet week ends with a client coffee catch up at Chapter IV, with a spectacular view of Brisbane City.

The sun is trying hard to poke his head out from behind the clouds 😶‍🌫️ ... But not quite yet.

With the RBA decision on the horizon & closing in on another 0.25% rate rise, we discuss possibly restructuring home & investment loans to minimise repayments & create a larger cash buffer/emergency fund. Just in case the economic situation continues to deteriorate.

Best to make the move now before any need arises. Especially when holding the reserve funds in offset costs you nothing until used.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend 😄

29/10/2026

Another interest rate rise is possible in November – but there are steps you can take now to protect your household budget.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised the cash rate again in late September, prompting lenders across the market to increase their variable mortgage rates.

That was the fourth increase of 2026, and persistent inflation means another rise at the RBA's 3 November meeting remains possible.

Five things worth checking now
1️⃣ Your interest rate. Is it still competitive, or could another lender offer a better deal?
2️⃣Your repayments. Calculate what another 0.25-percentage-point increase would mean for your budget.
3️⃣Your cash buffer. Could you cover unexpected expenses alongside higher repayments?
4️⃣Your offset account. Are you making full use of any interest-saving features?
5️⃣Your loan structure. Would refinancing or changing your repayment arrangements make sense?

Another rate rise isn't guaranteed, but there's no harm in being prepared.

Get in touch and I'll help you assess whether your current mortgage is still competitive and how you could manage higher repayments.

28/10/2026

Another RBA decision is looming, and borrowers could face yet another rate rise. But there are also opportunities emerging in the property and lending markets – here's what you need to know:

▪️Five mortgage checks to make before the next RBA decision
▪️Rental growth stalls despite Australia's housing shortage
▪️More lenders join the government's Help to Buy scheme
▪️The lending loophole some borrowers may not know about

Click on the link for the latest stories.

28/10/2026

Another client, this time in Toowong, wanting to confirm their borrowing capacity to upgrade their home, switching their current townhouse into an investment property.

Preliminary numbers are looking promising.

I will have a complete Loan Structure, lenders, products, funding & next home purchase price to them on Friday.

The weather may be dreary outside but there is a rainbow of positivity inside THE GUNSHOP CAFE TOOWONG

26/10/2026

🏡 Your first investment property doesn't have to be your dream home. It needs to be the start of your strategy.

Think you need a big budget to start building a property portfolio? Think again.

A recent article from Property Buzz explores an interesting approach to property investing in 2026: starting with an affordable unit rather than stretching yourself to buy a house.

And there's a valuable lesson here for anyone looking to get into property investing. 👇

💰 It's not just about what you buy. It's about what you can buy next.

Before jumping into the market, consider:
🔹 Borrowing capacity – Understand what you can afford before you start shopping.
🔹 Cash flow – Don't let the costs of your first investment limit your next move.
🔹 The right lending structure – How you set up your loans today can influence your options tomorrow.
🔹 Using equity strategically – Your existing property may help fund your next deposit, provided the numbers stack up.
🔹 Keeping a cash buffer – Building a portfolio is a marathon, not a sprint. Leave yourself room to move when things don't go to plan.

The goal isn't necessarily to buy the most expensive property you can afford. It's to make a considered first purchase that leaves you in a position to keep building.

That's where the right lending strategy matters.

At Ironwood Finance, I help clients understand their borrowing capacity, structure their lending and explore ways to use property to build wealth over time.

Because property investing isn't just about getting your foot in the door. It's about understanding how that first step affects the next one.

📩 Thinking about buying your first investment property? Let's talk about the numbers and work out what might be possible for you.

Every situation is different. The right strategy depends on your financial position, lending capacity and investment goals.

Read the full article: https://www.propertybuzz.com.au/news/start-with-a-350000-unit-not-a-house-building-a-portfolio-in-2026

LEVR's Josh Crealy on borrowing capacity, affordable units, equity buffers and the real holding costs behind a first investment purchase in 2026.

26/10/2026

This headline pretty much sums it all up! 🤦‍♂️

Treasurer Jim Chalmers finds no cause too small to spend on, but insists every single dollar is "necessary".

He’s like that mate who always complains about being broke, yet somehow subscribed to every streaming service, never misses a music festival, and is always away on holiday.

Honestly, I wish Jimmy was my dad—he’d never be able to say "no"! 😝

22/10/2026

Outgrowing your home? How to buy your next property and keep your current one💡

Property values have softened for the first time in yonks, but forecasts suggest they’ll be heading back up over the next 12–18 months. If your family is outgrowing your current home, this creates a unique window of opportunity: buy your upgrade now while prices are lower, and hold onto your existing property.

By converting your current home into an investment property, you can:

🟢 Avoid rushing a sale in a softer market.
🟢 Save thousands on immediate real estate agent selling costs.
🟢 Skip high-cost bridging loans for a much cleaner, stress-free move.
🟢 Lock in grandfathered tax benefits under the new negative gearing regime for properties owned prior to 10 May.

Two key things to keep in mind:

1️⃣ Equity isn't free money: Releasing up to 80% LVR against your current home creates a new loan to cover your new deposit and purchasing costs (stamp duty, fees, etc.).

2️⃣ Borrowing capacity matters: Even with deposit funds sorted via equity release, you still need to prove to lenders you can service the remaining debt on the new home. (Good news: the estimated rental income from your current home helps boost your borrowing capacity!).

Confused by the moving parts? That’s where I step in.

Before you even submit a loan application, I map everything out for you:
📊 Draft Loan Structures
🏠 Property Valuations
⚖️ Loan Product Comparisons
💰 Purchase Funding Positions

Plus, keeping the properties on separate loan structures means you retain total flexibility—you can sell either property down the track without affecting the other.

Ready to upgrade with a clear plan of action? Send me a message or get in touch today. 📱0422 708 481

22/10/2026

SMSF loan holders. Are you nervous over the direction of interest rates?

I am yet to refinance a client simply for a fixed rate product. However, the question is now being asked of me more often.

While most of the people I know have cut their spending, Trump continues to clown around & our State & Commonwealth Govs continue to hand out our tax dollars like rich kid's with mum & dads credit card!

Fixing your rate is limited to only a couple of lenders on my panel, Firstmac and Granite (other brokers will have ColCap funded lenders, such as Wlth, Origin, Zeus, Homestar).

Firstmac is currently from 7.84%
Granite from 8.04%.

Note, the fixed rate is not guaranteed until settlement. Rate lock fees may apply to lock in the rate on application. And fixed rates move constantly, not with the RBA.

And if you plan to refinance, there are generally higher fees and charges than your standard personal home loan.

Speak to your broker for more detailed information. Then, it is highly recommended you run any proposal by your financial planner / accountant before proceeding.

Call now to connect with business.