Our information hub brings together articles about home loans, refinancing, investment property finance and developments that may affect Australian borrowers. At East Coast Finance Group, we want readers in Newcastle and our other service areas to understand lending terminology and the questions worth asking before making a financial decision.
Articles may discuss rates or government programs that were correct when written but have since changed. Check each article's publication date and confirm current rates, eligibility criteria and legislation from official sources. Our articles provide general information only; they do not assess an individual reader's financial circumstances. For questions about an application, use our contact page to speak with our team.
44 articles
Five rate rises in 2026 have certainly strained many household budgets around the country. So what can you do about it? Debt consolidation is one option that may be worth a look. Here’s what’s involved.
Read articleMortgage holders are once again left holding the bag on Melbourne Cup Day with the RBA lifting the cash rate to 4.85%, its highest level in 18 years. If your repayments are starting to bite, here’s how we could help you rein in your interest rate.
Read articleFirst homebuyers are rethinking their path to property. We reveal how the ownership dream is evolving, and the strategies first homebuyers are using to achieve their goals.
Read articleWhat does Australia have in common with the United Kingdom and the Netherlands? In all three countries brokers facilitate more than 80% of new mortgages.
Read articleA fourth rate rise for 2026 has just made checking your home loan rate a priority. But what does a ‘good’ rate look like right now?
Read articleHere we go again … The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised the cash rate for a fourth time this year to 4.60%. Check out this week’s article to find out why they felt the need to pass on more borrowing pain to mortgage holders.
Read articleThe federal budget introduced major tax reforms for property investors, but it may still be possible to enjoy the potential tax benefits of negative gearing. Here’s how it could be done.
Read articleIn today’s easing market, it may be tempting to wait for property prices to fall further. But it’s a strategy that could see first home buyers left disappointed.
Read articleAustralia’s peak property season is underway, and spring 2026 is shaping up as a buyers’ market. Here’s what the experts say we can expect in the weeks ahead.
Read articleSeveral of the big banks have pivoted on their rate outlook, and are now predicting rate hikes (rather than no change or a fall) this side of Christmas. It could be a cue for homeowners to plan rather than panic.
Read articleProperty transactions involve big bucks – and that makes them a big target for scammers. With large sums of money at stake, we reveal what to look out for, and how to protect yourself from property settlement scams.
Read articleWhile rising prices were the talk of the town not so long ago, the tide has started to turn, with property values beginning to soften – but it’s not all bad news for home owners.
Read articleGreat news! Homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) keeping the cash rate on hold in August.
Read articleSo it turns out some mortgage offset accounts haven’t been working as intended, according to a recent investigation. Here’s how to check if your home loan offset account has actually been helping you save.
Read articleWaiting for home prices to ‘bottom out’ before buying may seem like a smart strategy but it could work against you. Here are the risks of holding out and hoping for lower prices.
Read articleThings are looking up for homebuyers. New listings are on the rise, and that can mean more choice and less FOMO pressure for buyers.
Read articleThe Reserve Bank may have kept rates on hold in June, but a growing number of lenders have cut their home loan interest rates. This could be your sign to review your current loan.
Read articleWith more first home buyers relying on family support to get into the market, we explain why it may be beneficial to put the details in writing if Mum and Dad offer a financial helping hand.
Read articleAs the calendar flips over to July, now’s a good time to give your home loan a once-over. We look at five strategies that could help you save on interest and pay off your mortgage sooner.
Read articleIt’s just over a month since the Federal Government unveiled its tax reforms on budget night. Here’s how property values are responding across the major cities.
Read articleThe mortgage broking industry has notched up an exciting record with the news that brokers now account for 81% of Australia’s residential lending market. Here’s why.
Read articleWorried you’ll still be paying off your mortgage in retirement? New research shows you’re not alone.
Read articleHouse price growth is slowing but experts say not to expect a crash. We look at what’s changed, and why today’s market may offer good opportunities for homebuyers.
Read articleA few tweaks to a popular first home buyer scheme has driven a “surge” in Gen Zs buying their first home. And it’s not the only upside giving first home buyers a boost now.
Read articleIt was great while it lasted, but the rate cut party is well and truly over. Today we look at how you could potentially reduce your home loan interest rate without relying on the Reserve Bank.
Read articleReforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax have been unveiled in the latest national budget. Here’s what they could mean for investors, first home buyers and home owners.
Read articleThe hits just keep coming for mortgage holders, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today raising the cash rate for a third time this year to 4.35%. If you’re starting to struggle with your mortgage repayments, here’s how you can potentially take action.
Read articleThere’s no better feeling than living in a brand new home – it’s fresh, clean and it’s all yours. But financing a new-build works very differently from buying an established home.
Read articleHaving loan pre-approval can be a smart move for home buyers. But the recent Reserve Bank cash rate hikes could leave your pre-approval in need of an update.
Read articleRate hikes and soaring fuel prices aren’t dampening home buyer enthusiasm, with a strong majority of Aussies still believing the time to buy is now. We look at why home-buying sentiment remains so high.
Read articleIs the grass really greener on the other side? Maybe.
Read articleBuying a first home doesn’t have to mean years of eating beans on toast while you scrape together a 20% deposit. Here’s how you could break into the property market with just a 5% deposit.
Read articleIf you’re in the market for a home, you may have noticed there hasn’t always been a whole lot of choice in recent months. Fortunately, it looks like property listings are really starting to pick back up.
Read articleMore bad news for mortgage holders around the country: the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today raised the cash rate for the second time this year to 4.10% in a 5-4 split decision vote. How might this impact your monthly mortgage repayments?
Read articleKeen to put some spare funds to work?
Read articleAs home prices climb higher, first home buyers can feel like the goal posts are continually shifting further out of reach. But there is a way to potentially cut years off the time taken to buy a home.
Read articleSure, saving a deposit is important, but your income can hold the real key to getting into the market. That’s because it shapes your borrowing power.
Read articleGrowing numbers of younger Australians are opting for regional living, and part of the lure of a ‘seachange’ or ‘treechange’ can be the chance to get more bang for your buck.
Read articleMyth busted! Baby Boomers no longer own the bulk of housing wealth in Australia.
Read articleBad news for mortgage holders around the country: the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today raised the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%. Today we’ll look at why it did so, and how this rate hike could impact your monthly mortgage repayments.
Read articleAfter a lengthy run of rising prices in 2025, some pundits are tipping property prices could keep climbing in 2026. Today we’ll take a sneak peek inside the experts’ crystal ball – and what it could mean for your home buying plans.
Read articleA renovation boom may loom, with plenty of home owners choosing to renovate rather than relocate this year. So if you have plans for home improvements, it’s worth knowing how to fund your project.
Read articleOwning an investment property isn’t limited to the uber-rich. In fact, investors are usually people you interact with daily.
Read articleWhat a way to start the new year! After a strong 12 months in the property market, plenty of homeowners around the nation are now a whole lot wealthier.
Read articleThis information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal financial situation, needs or objectives. Before acting on this information, you should consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and seek independent financial advice.
