# Origin Finance - Home Finance For Australians > Mortgage Brokers Australia | Home & Investment Loans ## Posts - [Origin Finance and Chan & Naylor unite to form national brokerage](https://originfinance.com.au/origin-finance-and-chan-naylor-unite-to-form-national-brokerage-2/): WRITTEN BY  Nick Bendel  October 02, 2014 http://www.theadviser.com.au/breaking-news/30881-prominent-firms-unite-to-form-national-brokerage A new national mortgage group will use white label products as part of a strategy to offer clients a one-stop shop for finance. The new business is called Chan & Naylor Finance and is an equal-share joint venture between brokerage Origin Finance and national accounting and wealth advisory group Chan & Naylor.   It will offer broking services to Chan & Naylor clients, although both joint venture partners will also continue to trade independently. Origin mortgage broker Graeme Salt told The Adviser that the joint venture would give Origin access to new clients and allow […] - [Origin Finance and Chan & Naylor unite to form national brokerage](https://originfinance.com.au/origin-finance-and-chan-naylor-unite-to-form-national-brokerage/): WRITTEN BY  Nick Bendel  October 02, 2014 http://www.theadviser.com.au/breaking-news/30881-prominent-firms-unite-to-form-national-brokerage A new national mortgage group will use white label products as part of a strategy to offer clients a one-stop shop for finance. The new business is called Chan & Naylor Finance and is an equal-share joint venture between brokerage Origin Finance and national accounting and wealth advisory group Chan & Naylor.   It will offer broking services to Chan & Naylor clients, although both joint venture partners will also continue to trade independently. Origin director Graeme Salt told The Adviser that the joint venture would give Origin access to new clients and allow Chan […] - [Steps to building a successful investment portfolio](https://originfinance.com.au/steps-to-building-a-successful-investment-portfolio/): Thanks to our strong property market and tax concessions for investors, property investment is a popular pastime in Australia, and can even provide a full-time income for some people. But how does a would-be investor get started in the property market, and ensure they make the most from their investment? Read on for Choice Home Loans’ top tips. Hold your property for the long-term The associated costs with purchasing and selling property – stamp duty, agents’ fees, legal costs and home loan interest charges – mean you will get more out of your property if you hold it for a number […] - [Is spring the right time to buy?](https://originfinance.com.au/is-spring-the-right-time-to-buy/): Spring is widely known as the busiest time in the home buying calendar as the nicer weather draws more buyers out to property inspections, and drives more vendors to list their properties. But is spring really the best time for buying a home, or is it merely an industry myth? It’s true that spring is often the most active time in the property market. Many real estate agents will advise sellers to hold off in listing their property over winter and wait until spring so that their properties look more attractive to buyers in the warmer weather. For this reason, there […] - [Henry Daniell – Director of First Impressions](https://originfinance.com.au/henry-daniell-director-of-first-impressions/): by Insurance Business | Sep 19, 2014 http://www.ibamag.com/news/far-out-friday-face-licking-tension-reliever-19573.aspx   Licking your co-workers’ faces would get you fired in most companies, but for a new hire at one North Sydney mortgage brokerage, it’s in his job description. Graeme Salt of Origin Finance told Insurance Business the company recently appointed an office cocker spaniel as its “Stress Management Strategist”. Henry Daniell, as the stress-busting dog is named, has his own LinkedIn page, and is soon to have his own blog on the brokerage’s website. Salt said Henry was brought onboard to help lift staff and client spirits, as well as to set the […] - [My Wife's Bottom](https://originfinance.com.au/my-wifes-bottom/): Many of you will have heard me say this before – but my wife has a phenomenally attractive bottom. In fact, it is almost as attractive as the Opera House or the Great Ocean Road. But this week, I came across an almost as attractive bottom – and it came via the pretty dour Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia. In a speech this week the Governor, Glen Stevens, said, “It is stating the obvious that at present, while we may desire to see a faster reduction in the rate of unemployment, further inflating an already elevated level of housing […] - [Home loan comparison only benefits you](https://originfinance.com.au/home-loan-comparison-only-benefits-you/): Home loan comparison only benefits you! Have you considered a home loan comparison to check if your home loan is still the most suitable loan for your situation? If you got your mortgage more than a year ago, it’s possible that what seemed like the best product to suit you back then could now be outdated and not doing its job as well as it should. By doing a simple home loan comparison it’s possible to see what loans and rates other banks and lenders are offering. You might be surprised at how much you could save. For anyone entering into a […] - [Finding a Better Interest Rate](https://originfinance.com.au/finding-a-better-interest-rate/): Finding a Better Interest Rate  At Origin Finance, you’ll find it so much easier to search, compare Interest Rates and apply for financial products. There is need to spend valuable time searching the web we have done it all for you. Origin Finance offers you a relevant and accurate comparison of the available Banking providers. Refinance your Mortgage Loan It’s not uncommon for people to be paying more interest than they need be for their home or investment property loan. A refinance mortgage home loan is invariably the best option to get out of this costly situation and, naturally, you want to borrow on […] - [Buying a Second Property](https://originfinance.com.au/buying-a-second-property/): Your current property may have appreciated in value, thus decreasing the percentage of the valuation of the property that you need to borrow. You have become an attractive client to a mortgage broker, you’ll have a stable track record of making regular repayments, you are no longer a high risk borrower. These factors will help you to finding a much better deal. This is where the knowledge and experience of your Origin Finance Consultant can be invaluable. They’ll help you decide which loan is the best for your situation, making sure you receive all the benefits of the loan of your choice. Contact your […] - [Buying a Farm? ](https://originfinance.com.au/buying-a-farm/): Have you been dreaming of waking up in crisp clear country air? Whatever your idea of a getaway property is, we can help you make it happen. But, while finding the right place to buy might be simple, choosing the right loan may not be as easy. When it comes to financing your getaway farm there are a range of options available. The option most appropriate for you depends on your individual circumstances based on factors such as how much equity you have in your current home, current loans, your overall financial position and your timeframe. Working through all the options […] - [Best mortgage advice from asking questions](https://originfinance.com.au/best-mortgage-advice-from-asking-questions/): When it comes to securing a home loan, it seems that everyone has an opinion. But when it comes to making one of the most important financial decisions of your life, you’ll need to seek mortgage advice from someone who is qualified and experienced. Who’s qualified to offer you mortgage advice? It’s best to work with a licensed mortgage broker and lending company that is: Ask questions if you want to get the best mortgage advice Getting the best mortgage advice can be accomplished by asking plenty of questions such as: Contact your local Origin Finance Consultant - [Buying an Investment Property?](https://originfinance.com.au/buying-an-investment-property-2/): Home loans for investment properties are vitally important financial tools that have the power to either help or hinder your investment growth. Most investors spend a lot of time and effort finding the right property to add to an investment portfolio. They research the profitability and they know how much rental income they’ll receive. They understand the concept of capital growth and they know they need to speak to an accountant about the best possible depreciation schedules they can find. So why don’t investors go to the same amount of effort and depth when researching the right investment loan? Finding the […] - [Buying an Investment Property](https://originfinance.com.au/buying-an-investment-property/): Buying an Investment Property? Home loans for investment properties are vitally important financial tools that have the power to either help or hinder your investment growth. Most investors spend a lot of time and effort finding the right property to add to an investment portfolio. They research the profitability and they know how much rental income they’ll receive. They understand the concept of capital growth and they know they need to speak to an accountant about the best possible depreciation schedules they can find. So why don’t investors go to the same amount of effort and depth when researching the right […] - [How to get the best mortgage interest rate](https://originfinance.com.au/how-to-get-the-best-mortgage-interest-rate/): Securing the best mortgage interest rate can mean thousands of dollars of savings over the life of your home loan. What may initially seem like a futile attempt at saving a few dollars a month, upon further investigation can add up to more money in your pockets. Getting the best mortgage interest rate can be a simple task if you are prepared financially and you know where to look and what to look for. If you want to get a mortgage interest rate that is affordable both today and in the years ahead then you should: Make sure your credit is […] - [Your investment working for you!](https://originfinance.com.au/your-investment-working-for-you/): Home equity loans. Buying your own home is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make. Your home is also likely to be your biggest asset. Why not put this asset to work by taking out a home equity loan? What is equity? Equity is simply the difference between what your property is worth and what you owe. For example, if you have $200,000 to pay off on a home worth $500,000, you have $300,000 worth of equity. You may be able to borrow against this amount to renovate, invest in shares or managed funds, buy another property or refinance your mortgage. […] - [Having a Baby?](https://originfinance.com.au/having-a-baby/): Need to Renovate or Extend to fit Baby? Just had your baby? Congratulations! Having a baby can be a wonderful time – and it can also be a very busy time! It may be that your home doesn’t have enough room for an additional family member and you are considering renovating. It may be the time to buy your first home, or to start thinking about your financial future, and for many people property is the key to creating wealth for life. Whatever you situation, our Mortgage Brokers can help you work out the best choice in the money side of […] - [Growing Family](https://originfinance.com.au/growing-family/): Is your Family Growing? Welcome to the Brady Bunch syndrome! A bigger family, due a new baby, or re-marriage with additional children, or having the grandparents moving in. What ever the reason this situation can make a home that’s felt comfortable feel very squeezy! Perhaps it’s time to start thinking about renovations, or moving to a bigger property. Whatever your situation, our mortgage brokers can help you work out the best choice in the money side of things, simply and efficiently. Discover more about your options and how we can help you by clicking on the links below. Contact your local […] - [Getting Married?](https://originfinance.com.au/getting-married/): Need a Loan Before or After Your Wedding? Just Married? Congratulations from all of us at Origin Finance! Getting married is one choice in life that leads to many others – and for most people a home comes into the picture. You, or your partner may already own property or you may be looking for your first purchase. Now’s the time to think about the best way to build a financial foundation, whether it’s the home you choose to live in, or investment properties too. After all, marriage often brings more family responsibilities too! Whatever you choose, we can help you […] - [Getting Divorced?](https://originfinance.com.au/getting-divorced/): Divorce – Home Loans That Help Overcome A Difficult Time Divorce is never easy, is often complicated and comes with a lot of decisions. For many people, it’s a time where they have to re-assess their lifestyles and financial goals and make the most of their assets. This can involve buying and selling property, or even one partner buying out the other partner’s share in their house. For this and many other eventualities, Origin Finance offers options. Naturally, when a couple are married, over time they accumulate a range of joint possessions, cars, property, investment properties and the family home. These are invariably […] - [Fully Featured Home Loans - Variable Home Loans](https://originfinance.com.au/fully-featured-home-loans-variable-home-loans/): The most common loan This is a common offer by banks and has been used by many people to buy their first homes. These home loans have repayment periods of up to 30 years and are regularly used by home buyers today. Don’t be caught by start-up lures! Often lending institutions will offer a discounted start-up period with lower interest rates to motivate you to choose the loan. The benefits of this discount (or honeymoon period) are short-lived as the remaining years on your loan are charged at a standard variable rate. Advantages Disadvantages Contact your local Origin Finance Consultant - [Flexible Rate Mortgage](https://originfinance.com.au/flexible-rate-mortgage/): Flexible Rate Mortgage Variable rates move up and down in line with the Reserve Bank cash rate and the rates banks pay for funding, which means they are subject to change without notice. Variable rate home loans can help to reduce your repayments while interest rates go down. However, there is also the possibility that variable rates will rise, which means that you could face higher repayments during the term of your loan. Contact your local Origin Finance Consultant - [Fixed Rate Home Loans](https://originfinance.com.au/fixed-rate-home-loans/): Fixed Rate Home Loans Fixed rate mortgages are a great way to combat rising interest rates. After the first few years of your fixed loan, it will become a standard variable loan that follows the market rate. Many borrowers choose to apply the fixed rate to only a part of their loan, so that if rates unexpectedly drop, they can take advantage of the lower interest on at least some of their loan. Fixing your rate at just the right time can save you thousands. Contact your local Origin Finance Consultant - [Home Loan and Mortgage Guide](https://originfinance.com.au/home-loan-and-mortgage-guide-2/): Most home loans take around 48-72 hours to progress from the initial application to approval stage. The length of the process depends on which lender the loan is to be processed through, on how complex the application is, and how soon the valuer can conduct the valuation. Broken down, securing a home loan involves initial application, which may be made online, contact from one of our consultants, interview, application process, conditional approval, property valuation, unconditional approval, processing the mortgage documents and settlement. Our home loan calculator provides a ball-park estimate of your borrowing power based on the number of dependants, existing monthly […] - [Business Loans for Commercial Investment](https://originfinance.com.au/business-loans-for-commercial-investment/): Business Loans for Commercial Investment In addition to home loans our mortgage brokers also able to advise you on and provide a full range of business loans, including small business loans, and for property finance and investment property finance. The most appropriate option for you depends on your individual circumstances and factors including your business sector, the nature of your business, any other debts your business may have, the businesses overall financial situation, the reason you require the business loan and what your timeframe is. Loans for business can include lo doc loans if you are just starting out or self-employed, or […] - [Home Loan and Mortgage Guide](https://originfinance.com.au/home-loan-and-mortgage-guide/): Most home loans take around 48-72 hours to progress from the initial application to approval stage. The length of the process depends on which lender the loan is to be processed through, on how complex the application is, and how soon the valuer can conduct the valuation. Broken down, securing a home loan involves initial application, which may be made online, contact from one of our consultants, interview, application process, conditional approval, property valuation, unconditional approval, processing the mortgage documents and settlement. Our home loan calculator provides a ball-park estimate of your borrowing power based on the number of dependants, existing monthly […] - [What to Ask Your Broker](https://originfinance.com.au/what-to-ask-your-broker/): Navigating the home buying process can be mind boggling, which is where your mortgage broker’s help comes into play. Your mortgage broker should be able to field your questions and to help put your mind at ease. Here’s a small list of just a few questions you should ask your mortgage broker when purchasing your home. What documentation do I need? Many home buyer’s liken the home buying process to an inquest because of the large amount of documentation that is required. You can save yourself a considerable amount of time and confusion by asking your mortgage broker beforehand what documents you need to […] - [Qualifying for your first mortgage](https://originfinance.com.au/qualifying-for-your-first-mortgage/): Purchasing your first home can be a very rewarding experience. Everyone looks forward to owning their own home at some point in their lives, and doing so requires that you that you are prepared and qualified. Buying a home is one the largest purchases that most of us will ever make and the decision to do so should not be taken lightly. If owning a home is a dream of yours then you’ll have to get ready and that means knowing what it takes to qualify for your first mortgage. Here’s a checklist to help you plan ahead and guide you […] - [Finance your first home](https://originfinance.com.au/finance-your-first-home/): Origin Finance makes it easier to buy your first home sooner, with our flexible home loan products. You can borrow up to 95% of the property value. We help to ensure you can afford the repayments and have funds to cover the transaction costs. We’ll even help you with your First Home Owner Grant application! Need Your First Home Loan? Buying your first home is exciting and a little scary at the same time. Not only are you faced with the challenge of finding the right property to become your first home, but you also need to know you’re getting the […] - [First Home Owners Grant](https://originfinance.com.au/first-home-owners-grant/): The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a national scheme set up to encourage and assist home ownership. Benefits vary from state to state and your Origin Mortgage Broker will help you to understand what you can qualify for and lodge the application on your behalf to ensure you achieve maximum benefit. In NSW, the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) scheme was established to assist eligible first home owners to purchase a new home or build their home by offering a $10,000 grant. FIRST HOME OWNERS GRANT ELIGIBILITY Of course, there is some government eligibility in place. Some of the […] - [Buying a First Home](https://originfinance.com.au/buying-a-first-home/): Buying a First Home? Buying your first home is exciting and a little scary at the same time. Not only are you faced with the challenge of finding the right property to become your first home, but you also need to know you’re getting the right first home loan. When Should I Buy My First Home? First home buyers often want to know when the best time to buy is going to be. The answer is simple when you have a professional home loans lender. There is no right or wrong time to buy your first home – only the time that suits […] - [First Home Buyers](https://originfinance.com.au/first-home-buyers/): ORIGIN FINANCE CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE LOAN OPTION THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU. Being a first time buyer, the staggering number of home loans available can be overwhelming. At Origin Finance, we put you first. We will help you to understand the types of loans available and choose the structure that will enable you to achieve your home ownership goals. LOAN TYPES Basic Home Loan This loan is considered a no-frills loan and often offers a very low variable interest rate with little or no regular fees. Be aware they usually don’t offer additional extras or flexibility in paying off extra on the […] - [Family Equity Home Loans That Open Options](https://originfinance.com.au/family-equity-home-loans-that-open-options/): Have the kids left home? Then welcome to the empty nest club! After years of having children at home it’s quite a change to be without them. In some ways it’s like going back to life before having children, but with a totally different focus on goals and wants and desires. So, after all this time, here you are looking at finance options after the kids have all moved out. Investigating family equity home loans is a good first move. This is an ideal time to assess your lifestyle and financial goals. Maybe a change of pace or a change of […] - [Graeme's Investment Experience #1](https://originfinance.com.au/graemes-investment-experience-1/): This week sees the completion of the construction of a granny flat I am building on my investment property in Brisbane. It’s been quite a journey with a few ups and downs. I bought the investment property with the express intention of building a granny flat. Here is what I learnt from the process.   Check the contract The real estate agent told me that it was renting for $500 a week, the contract said it was renting for $500 a week, the valuer assessed it saying it was renting for $500 a week – so you can imagine my shock […] - [Are you a property winner or loser?](https://originfinance.com.au/6766-2/): For the rest of the year Australia will have a two-speed property market. For those with strong incomes and healthy savings, Australia is a land of opportunity with a property market starting to rise. But for others, trapped by high interest rates, there’s limited opportunity.  For them – refinancing or buying will be tough. According to Corelogic housing values look to have bottomed out, with Sydney now 3.0 per cent higher than the recent trough recorded in January according and CBA now predicts prices will jump 5 per cent this year. If you’re looking to get into the market – this […] - [How buyers can capitalise on a changing property market](https://originfinance.com.au/how-buyers-can-capitalise-on-a-changing-property-market/): 9 October 2014| Sue Williams| Domain http://www.domain.com.au/news/how-buyers-can-capitalise-on-a-changing-spring-property-market-20151010-gk535e/ The property market is steadily turning into an excellent one for buyers, experts say, with the number of homes up for auction yesterday setting an October record and even more homes likely to go under the hammer in the next few weekends. Auction clearance rates are dropping and prices are increasing at a much slower pace than at any time in the last three years, setting the stage for a buyers’ bonanza. “The market is now becoming much more balanced away from sellers,” says Domain Group senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson. “Buyers can now […] - [International News from Henry](https://originfinance.com.au/international-news-from-henry/): Welcome to the international edition of From the Dog House! I have given Doug a few days off in Las Vegas while I go on one of my health retreats at the kennel. It’s never really my favourite time as all I get is healthy food rather than titbits that I persuade my staff to give me. But I guess that everyone needs a little time away. Graeme has just come back from two weeks in the UK. I must admit that he is very brave – devotedly travelling over there just to see the poms get whacked by every rugby-playing […] - [Home loans getting cheaper as lenders wage war](https://originfinance.com.au/home-loans-getting-cheaper-as-lenders-wage-war/): 22 September 2015| Clancy Yeates| Sydney Morning Herald http://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/home-loans-getting-cheaper-as-lenders-wage-war-20150921-gjrelw.html Some smaller lenders have slashed advertised interest rates on new owner-occupier mortgages by twice as much as the Reserve Bank of Australia. The central bank cut official interest rates by 0.5 percentage points to two per cent over the past year to stimulate the economy. Several lenders have cut their most competitive advertised home loan interest rates for new borrowers by significantly more than this, figures from interest rate comparison website Mozo show. The cuts have been prompted by fierce competition in mortgages, the biggest source of credit growth for banks. The most competitive rate offered by small lenders Credit Union SA […] - [Housing market stands its ground](https://originfinance.com.au/housing-market-stands-its-ground/): 21 September 2015|Gary Shilson-Josling|AAP http://www.msn.com/en-au/money/homeandproperty/housing-market-stands-its-ground/ar-AAexMfV House prices just keep on going up even though the percentage of homes sold after being put up for sale is falling. Auction clearance rates dropped to 70.7 per cent last week, down from 72.1 per cent the week before, according to the weekly report from CoreLogic RP Data. That was well below this year’s peak of 80 per cent in April and consistent with a fall in clearance rates typical for this time of year. The seasonal pickup in supply has put some pressure on prices, which stalled from mid-August to mid-September, with an average […] - [Want to Buy a Car, Boat or Caravan?](https://originfinance.com.au/want-to-buy-a-car-boat-or-caravan/): Did you know that Origin Finance also offers asset finance?  We can access over 20 lenders offering ultra-low car finance. We can access consumer and commercial lending (new and used assets) to include; motor vehicles, recreational goods (caravans, motor bikes, boats, jet skis etc), trucks and trailers, earthmoving equipment, industrial machinery, computers/ IT hospitality goods (ovens, fridges, fryers and cookers), etc. Our panel caters to a wide and varied number of scenarios including, private sales, dealer sales, sale and leaseback, capital raisings, vendor programs, premium funding and debtor finance. For more information, contact your Origin broker on 1300 30 67 67 - [Amazing Grace](https://originfinance.com.au/amazing-grace/): News from the Dog House Everyone, I am delighted to announce the arrival of my newest pack member – Grace Yeung. Grace already has a successful real estate business, marketing to Asian investors; and now she has wisely added finance to her customer offering. I first met Grace a few months ago.  She is entrepreneurial, well presented and has a banking background. But the main reason why I readily accepted Grace into my pack was that she has FOUR dogs!  Clearly she has sound judgement. This brings me to my big bug-bear.  Julie has a dog, Philippe has a dog, Kris […] - [Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics in Property](https://originfinance.com.au/lies-damn-lies-and-statistics-in-property/): Sydney’s clearance rates are down to 73 per cent from an April high of 90 per cent, Does this mean that the sky is falling in that prices will soon drop? Almost certainly not in my opinion. 73 per cent is still considered to be a sellers’ market (albeit not as strong as previously). Given the number of properties on the market it’s hard to see how the auction market could remain in such rude health. The latest weekly listings data for Sydney shows that over the past 4 weeks there were 8,525 new listings and 20,121 total listings.  New listings […] - [Time for a Haircut?](https://originfinance.com.au/time-for-a-haircut/): First of all, many thanks for all the well-wishes from all my fans. I must confess that it has been a tough few days; not just for me, but also for my staff Doug and Jen. As you probably know I don’t have the best of health in certain areas (namely my back and hips) and so have had to have another of my trips to the vets. Over the years I have come to accept that this is what happens when you have pedigree. My friend Moresby is a ‘Heinz 57 varieties’ type of dog and seems to be in […] - [The Good and Bad of Buying Off-Plan (and how your mortgage broker can help)](https://originfinance.com.au/the-good-and-bad-of-buying-off-plan-and-how-your-mortgage-broker-can-help/): We have all seen the headlines of someone making a motza after buying a property off plan. But behind the scenes there is often a mortgage broker who has worked really hard to turn your dreams into reality. And, as the property markets peak, we could be seeing stories of people losing their savings on off-plan developments. Here are some examples of what could happen. The Good Valuation comes in up If you put down a deposit of a property in 2013 or before, the chances are that the value of any property sale completing today will be higher than the […] - [Happy New Year!](https://originfinance.com.au/roshhashanah/): Welcome to our Festive Edition of News from the Dog House – Shana Tova! Simone has just come back from a few days off celebrating Rosh Hashanah with her (extended) family. I don’t know how it is for you, but I find myself in a real dog-fight with my extended family on any given holiday. Mind you Simone is a bit of a pussy cat (no insult intended) so I am sure all went smoothly. Graeme is trying to wind down in preparation for going to see his mum in Manchester. Frankly I am rather concerned about this. He mumbles at the best […] - [Your Interest Rates Could Be About to Go Up!](https://originfinance.com.au/your-interest-rates-could-be-about-to-go-up/): The regulator’s drive to calm down the (investor) property market may be having a negative impact on home owners.  Who, through no fault of their own, are seeing interest rates rise. Ironically this is happening at a time when other home owners are enjoying ultra-low interest rates. The government regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA), has told the banks to limit their growth in investment loans to 10 per cent.  As result the banks are making it harder for property investors to get finance; the main way that they are doing this is by increasing interest rates for investors. However, […] - [Real estate agents: telling the rippers from the duds](https://originfinance.com.au/real-estate-agents-telling-the-rippers-from-the-duds/): Sept 7, 2015| Johanna Leggatt| The New Daily http://thenewdaily.com.au/money/2015/09/07/real-estate-agents-telling-rippers-duds/ To some, they are the snake oil salesmen of the property industry, presiding over open home inspections – clipboard in hand – like haughty gods. But not all real estate agents should be tarnished with the same brush. A good agent is worth the money sellers pay them: they are professional, excellent negotiators and up-front with their clients. But a bad one – the agent who cannot do basic maths, is pushy with potential buyers and sellers, is slovenly dressed – is an expensive mistake. So how do you ensure you don’t accidentally hire the wrong one when it comes […] - [Interest rates on hold but economists tip cut for Melbourne Cup Day](https://originfinance.com.au/interest-rates-on-hold-but-economists-tip-cut-for-melbourne-cup-day/): Sept 1, 2015| Kirsten Robb| Domain http://www.domain.com.au/news/interest-rates-on-hold-but-economists-tip-cut-for-melbourne-cup-day-20150901-gjca4k/ The official interest rate remained on hold at 2 per cent on Tuesday but economists say the Reserve Bank of Australia may be forced to cut rates by November, making Melbourne Cup day a winner for mortgagees and spring buyers. The move to keep rates steady was widely expected, with experts agreeing the central bank is taking a ‘wait and see’ approach after cutting in February and May. Both AMP chief economist Shane Oliver and Domain senior economist Andrew Wilson forecast a cut to 1.75 per cent to come on the first Tuesday in November. “I think if it’s going to […] - [Sydney house price growth up but Melbourne to overtake in spring](https://originfinance.com.au/sydney-house-price-growth-up-but-melbourne-to-overtake-in-spring/): Sept 1, 2015| Jennifer Duke| Domain http://www.domain.com.au/news/sydney-house-prices-up-over-august-but-melbourne-to-overtake-in-spring-20150901-gjc6rf/ Sydney property price growth outpaced all other capital cities in August, but Melbourne is about to knock it off its perch, according to new data. The Harbour City’s dwelling values crept up 1.1 per cent, while capital cities grew just 0.3 per cent nationally, CoreLogic RP Data’s Home Value Index found. There was no growth in Melbourne for dwellings in August and a 0.2 per cent decline for apartment values. ​Despite this, auction activity tells a distinctly different story, Domain Group senior economist Andrew Wilson said. In fact, clearance rates in all major capital cities increased over the past month – with the exception of […] - [Big banks could be stung by risky lending: regulator](https://originfinance.com.au/big-banks-could-be-stung-by-risky-lending-regulator/): Aug 26, 2015| George Lekakis| The New Daily http://thenewdaily.com.au/money/2015/08/26/big-banks-will-stung-risky-lending-warns-regulator/ Australia’s top banking regulator has signalled that it might impose more restrictions on home lenders to combat “heightened risk” in the residential property market. Wayne Byers, the chairman of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), believes lenders are increasingly approving loans to borrowers who will potentially be unable to meet repayments. Speaking at a business lunch in Sydney on Wednesday, Mr Byers highlighted APRA research showing that the percentage of housing loans approved outside of lenders’ normal serviceability policies had more than doubled since 2009. Not all loans are created equal. Some may […] - [Contact Me on the Dog & Bone](https://originfinance.com.au/contact-me-on-the-dog-bone/): News from the Dog House ♣  First of all, thank you from all my well-wishers. I have not been very well this week with back problems, so I was grateful for your concern. Of course, Doug gave me the care and attention that I deserve. Many of you will know that I am not always in the greatest of conditions. I have come to accept that it is a cross that I have to bear. Let’s face it, it has not stopped Stephen Hawking becoming a global star and I doubt that it will halt me in achieving my goals. Again, […] - [Good News in the Property Market?](https://originfinance.com.au/property-good-news/): For those who find themselves continually losing out on a property, good news could be at hand. It is VERY early days, but data just released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicate that there could be a cooling off of the (investor) property market. According to the ABS monthly approvals data shows that owner occupied lending rose 0.84 per cent (up $105 m from last month’s approvals), refinancing up 0.72 per cent ($44 m) and Investment lending up 0.14 per cent ($19 m). While it is too early to be sure such data indicate that influence from the regulators […] - [Why You May Not Be Able Get An Ultra-Low Loan and Why It's No Disaster](https://originfinance.com.au/why-you-may-not-get-an-ultra-low-loan/): We all like to believe we have got a good deal. And, sometimes, we see home loan rates that are really cheap and we all want a piece of the action. Truth is, for many of us, these ultra-low rates are unobtainable – but the alternative ain’t half bad. There are many on-line sites which boast low rate home loans. Trouble is, these loans only apply to the chosen few; people in paid permanent roles, with a strong ability to make the repayments and who have saved up enough to pay at least 20 per cent of the property’s asking price […] - [Squillions of Dollars!](https://originfinance.com.au/squillions-of-dollars/): News from the Dog House ♣  My team of brokers at Origin Finance settled SQUILLIONS in loans this month!  Not only that, but there is healthy competition amongst my brokers as to who will be top dog! Chris and Kris both settled more in August month than they ever have done before in a month – and Graeme was not far behind them.  I have looked at the $$$$ and have calculated that they settled enough to keep the Yagoona Dogs Home in dog biscuits until the next Ice Age (or even until Parramatta become minor premiers which will be some […] - [Have you noticed your loan interest rate going up?](https://originfinance.com.au/have-you-noticed-your-loan-interest-rate-going-up/): You have probably seen in the media that most banks are increasing their interest rates on investment loans. This is in response to some pressure by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) to slow down the growth of investment loans to below 10% per annum. We have had many phone calls from people noticing an increase in their rates, not understanding why this is and with no formal notification from their lender. So we urge you to check your investment loan rate(s) and if they have changed recently, it would be wise to give us a call so that we can […] - [Whatever Happened to “Keeping The Bastards Honest”?](https://originfinance.com.au/whatever-happened-to-keeping-the-bastards-honest/): Some important statistics were released today which show how Australians could benefit from using brokers. The Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) produced figures showing that, while total housing lending from the lenders for which it is responsible was $1.7 trillion, $1.43 trillion of this was lent by the major lenders. This equates to 84 per cent of the market! Put it another way, only 16 per cent of this lending was by credit unions and building societies.                   These figures probably underplay the role that brokers play as brokers can: Arrange loans with […] - [Who Enjoyed that Storm?](https://originfinance.com.au/who-enjoyed-that-storm/): News from the Dog House How was that storm?  I have to say that Monday night was one of the most stressful that I have experienced for quite some time!  The evening is when I like to snuggle down; but instead, I had to go around barking at those thunderclaps to keep them away – which seemed to do the trick. It was even worse for Julie and, more importantly, my good-friend Moresby who endured quite a bit of damage to their kennel. I am pleased to say that, for the first week in ages, we all the pack in the […] - [Five Tips to Prepare for this Year's Property Market](https://originfinance.com.au/five-tips-to-prepare-for-this-years-property-market/): It was 27º at today’s Swans versus Giants match.  Today taught me two things: The Swannies are still the team to beat (but then I am biased) Spring is on its way and, before you know it, the property market will be in full swing. If you want to make the most for this season’s property market, then you need to be prepared.  Of course the AFL’s finals series will limit the amount of preparation time Swans fans will have, but Giants fans look set to have some time on their hand.  Talk to your mortgage broker and get pre-approval for […] - [Would I Suit a Black Coat?](https://originfinance.com.au/would-i-suit-a-black-coat/): News from the Dog House Last week was as action-packed as ever. Midweek we had a presentation from non-bank lender Mortgage Mart. These lenders are increasingly important for property investors now that the banks are making it harder to get an investment loan. I always say to my young pups that they need to stay abreast of changes in the banking world, so it was great seeing so many at the briefing (many of whom Skyped in from interstate – one even overseas). Team Origin avoided a major roadblock for Chris on Friday when a loan risked missing a deadline. Thankfully […] - [Is Your Loan Out-of-Date?](https://originfinance.com.au/is-your-loan-out-of-date/): Everyday, prompted by pressure from the government, banks are changing their lending policies. What happens if, last week, your bank indicates you will get a loan approval, but this week they decline you? Let’s face it, if the lending manager from the ‘National West Commonwealth Bank ANZ’ declines you, they are hardly likely to want to send you to the competition. And, even if they were being generous and wanted to point you in the right direction, how would they know what their competitors’ lending policies were? This is where mortgage brokers kick-in. Brokers know which lenders will lend what, to […] - [We are off to the pub!](https://originfinance.com.au/we-are-off-to-the-pub/): News from the Dog House In my capacity as Chief Morale Booster of the Origin team, I like to keep the troops happy. So, today, I sent everyone to the pub! I know that Australians don’t really need an excuse for a beer. But, today, we had one! Julie has just returned from her US trip and it was Chris’ birthday. What more could you want than a beer, a steak and some chips! The timing of Julie’s return is perfect as the training-side of the business is really ramping up. Simone did a phenomenal job organising the training courses on […] - [Industry heavyweights weigh up impacts of lending change](https://originfinance.com.au/industry-heavyweights-weigh-up-impacts-of-lending-change/): The Adviser Magazine Industry heavyweights weigh up impacts of lending change http://www.theadviser.com.au/breaking-news/32697-industry-heavyweights-weigh-up-impacts-of-lending-changes?utm_source=The+Adviser&utm_campaign=The_Adviser_Bulletin10_08_2015&utm_medium=email The Adviser Magazine Written by Adam Zuchetti August 10, 2015 The recent changes to investor lending and bank capitalisation requirements have sparked intense debate among industry leaders, particularly regarding their implications for brokers, consumers and the wider economy. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has been relentless in recent months in increasing pressure on the banks to reduce the size of their loan books directed specifically at property investors, in a bid to both reduce their weighting towards speculative investment lending and also to moderate the bubbling Sydney property market. […] - ['Abnormal' property listings rise a sign of possible investor exit](https://originfinance.com.au/abnormal-property-listings-rise-a-sign-of-possible-investor-exit/): ‘Abnormal’ property listings rise a sign of possible investor exit MSN Money 4 August 2015 http://www.msn.com/en-au/money/personalfinance/abnormal-property-listings-rise-a-sign-of-possible-investor-exit/ar-BBlmZMQ An unseasonal, sharp rise in property listings in July may be an early sign that real estate boom centred on Sydney and Melbourne is nearing its peak. SQM Research figures show that, nationally, the number of properties listed for sale rose 3.8 per cent in July compared to the previous month, and was up 4.2 per cent on the same month last year. The biggest monthly rise amongst the capital cities came from Sydney, where listings jumped 18.5 per cent, although the number of properties […] - [Australian dwellings valued at $6 trillion after capital city home values surge 2.8% higher in July](https://originfinance.com.au/australian-dwellings-valued-at-6-trillion-after-capital-city-home-values-surge-2-8-higher-in-july-2/): Australian dwellings valued at $6 trillion after capital city home values surge 2.8% higher in July CoreLogic RP Data Hedonic Home Value Index, July 2015 results Released: Monday, August 3, 2015 http://www.corelogic.com.au/media-release/australian-dwellings-valued-at-6-trillion-after-capital-city-home-values-surge-2-8-higher-in-july Melbourne and Sydney continued to set a rapid pace for capital gains in July, pushing the CoreLogic RP Data Home Value Index 2.8% higher over the month and 11.1% higher over the past year. The two tiered growth evident across Australia’s housing markets continued through July with Sydney and Melbourne continuing as the two capital cities driving home values higher. The growth, together with new stock additions to the […] - [Interest rate gap between investors and owner-occupiers to widen](https://originfinance.com.au/interest-rate-gap-between-investors-and-owner-occupiers-to-widen/): Interest rate gap between investors and owner-occupiers to widen Clancy Yeates Sydney Morning Herald 4 August 2015 http://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/interest-rate-gap-between-investors-and-owneroccupiers-to-widen-20150803-giqfet.html Property investors should get used to paying increasingly higher interest rates compared to people paying off a loan on a house they live in, mortgage brokers and experts say. In the last two weeks, all four big banks have targeted property investors with interest rate rises of between 0.27 and 0.29 percentage points, moves they have blamed on rules that restrict growth in lending to landlords. It comes on top of moves in May to scrap or cut lucrative interest rate discounts for investors taking out new loans. Taken together, these […] - [Refinancing Will Be The Next Big Thing](https://originfinance.com.au/refinancing-will-be-the-next-big-thing/): Refinancing Will Be The Next Big Thing   By Martin North | August 4, 2015 | Digital Finance Analytics Refinancing Will Be The Next Big Thing   As the banks dial back investor lending to meet the speed limit set by APRA, owner occupied loans are becoming the focus. Within that, we are already seeing very attractive refinance deals – including low rates and cash backs.  One lender has announced a 4.19%  home loan variable rate for owner occupiers, with an LVR 80-85% LMI refund offer for new owner occupier home loans and $2000 cashback for owner occupiers purchasing or refinancing their own home. We think refinancing, […] - [$2,000 Cash AND Your New Home!](https://originfinance.com.au/2000-cash-and-your-new-home/): Owner-occupiers are due to come to the fore in the current property market. The rapid price rises of the past couple of years have primarily driven by property investors, who have crowded out owner-occupiers. However, recent banking changes are going to make things harder for investors; clearing the way for owner occupiers. Prompted by government regulators, banks are making it tougher for investors to get finance – in some cases with interest rates 0.27 per cent higher. As a result, there is some evidence that investors are becoming more cautious in their decisions. But, as respected industry commentator Louis Christopher said, […] - [Australian dwellings valued at $6 trillion after capital city home values surge 2.8% higher in July](https://originfinance.com.au/australian-dwellings-valued-at-6-trillion-after-capital-city-home-values-surge-2-8-higher-in-july/): CoreLogic RP Data Hedonic Home Value Index, July 2015 results Released: Monday, August 3, 2015 Melbourne and Sydney continued to set a rapid pace for capital gains in July, pushing the CoreLogic RP Data Home Value Index 2.8% higher over the month and 11.1% higher over the past year. The two tiered growth evident across Australia’s housing markets continued through July with Sydney and Melbourne continuing as the two capital cities driving home values higher. The growth, together with new stock additions to the market, was enough to push the aggregated national value of all dwellings past the $6 trillion mark. […] - [Successful Mortgage Broking Careers Seminar](https://originfinance.com.au/successful-mortgage-broking-careers-seminar/): Origin Finance held another successful careers seminar last night – this time in Melbourne. Again there was not a spare seat in the room. The quality of the attendees was high – many seem to have the potential to become good mortgage brokers. If you are interested in becoming a mortgage broker, please get in touch with Origin Finance. - [Australian Dollar Update](https://originfinance.com.au/australian-dollar-update/): The Australian dollar is experiencing significant seller pressure today in response to a soft reading on the closely watched ‘flash’ manufacturing output index out of China. A ‘warning’ from S&P that it may downgrade Australia’s credit rating if political deadlock precludes meaningful repair of Canberra’s budget is also cited as contributing to the selling pressure. The local dollar dipped below 73 cents this morning for the first time since May 2009. As of 1.30 pm Perth time, its low for the day is 72.7 cents at around 11.00 am. The cumulative depreciation of the Australian dollar since it started to retreat […] - [Who Doesn't Like a Happy Ending?](https://originfinance.com.au/who-doesnt-like-a-happy-ending/): Latest News From the Dog House. Well that week shot past me in the blink of an eye. One minute it was Monday morning and I was napping and farting in Doug’s office. The next minute it was Friday evening and I was napping and farting at home! It was nice to have Graeme and Doug in the office all week. As it turned out, it proved an absolutely God-send having Doug there. For one reason or another, Doug ended up teaching our mortgage broking students. Despite the fact that he had to change all his plans, I know that he […] - [Property Investors Can Get a Loan If They Know Where to Go](https://originfinance.com.au/property-investors-can-still-get-a-loan-if-they-know-where-to-go/): Some property investors may have been spooked by recent decisions by the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) which seeks to curb lending to property investors.  But, for investors, every cloud has a silver lining. With many banks now turning their back on property investors, savvy investors are returning to a source of funding they used heavily in the mid ‘90s – non bank lenders. Non-bank lenders are not directly  governed by APRA so are still able to offer the more generous lending policies the banks are now withdrawing. Non-bank lenders get their funds from the money markets –  often overseas.  With […] - [Investor doom and gloom leads to $1,500 cash incentives for home owners!](https://originfinance.com.au/investor-doom-and-gloom-leads-to-1500-cash-incentives-for-home-owners/): Despite recent changes in the property investor market, with banks restricting giving investors loans, it is not all doom and gloom for people looking to buy a home or even refinance their existing loan. Basically, a lot of the banks’ current loan portfolios have a higher percentage of investment loans than what the regulator (APRA) wants to see.  Consequently the banks are now making loans far less attractive to investors by offering higher rates than for owner occupied loans.  In some cases it is virtually impossible to get investment loans. You may be wondering why this is making it more attractive […] - [Want an Interest Rate Cut? Don't Hold Your Breath](https://originfinance.com.au/want-an-interest-rate-cut-dont-hold-your-breath/): The Reserve Bank meets in a few days, already we are getting speculation on the future for interest rates. If you are holding out for a cut in interest rates, you may be disappointed. But the good news is that interest rates are likely to remain low for a considerable time. On Wednesday, there were two key statements. First, the Bureau of Statistics announced that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) had increased by 0.7 per cent, taking the annual headline inflation rate to 1.5 per cent. Economists had been expecting slightly higher figures. Inflation remains comfortably within the Reserve Bank’s target […] - [7 Tips to Making a Profit from Cool Markets](https://originfinance.com.au/7-tips-to-making-a-profit-from-cool-markets/): I am in Perth. It is 3.00am and I cannot sleep. So, what do all good mortgage brokers do in such instances? Reflect on the diverse nature of Australia’s property markets and where best to invest of course! According to RP Data, Perth property declined 0.4 per cent last month. And, conversations with WA colleagues indicate that there are more falls to come. A quick stroll through East Perth last night saw construction sites beavering away, yet there were few fluoro shirts of the Fly-In-Fly-Out workers as the resources boom comes off. This is a far-cry from the property bubble the […] - [Snow in the Office!](https://originfinance.com.au/snow-in-the-office/): Today’s News from the Kennel   Simone had her first encounter with snow this week! It’s funny the impact the white stuff had on the office. Graeme is originally from Manchester, saw lots of snow – hates the stuff. Simone’s family came to Australia via Indonesia – loves the stuff. Talking of love, Chris’ wedding plans are coming along a treat. His soon-to-be in-laws saw the wedding venue at the weekend and apparently like it. I have to say I am a little concerned about the venue. My concern is that it is on the harbour – where it can get […] - [Mortgage Broking Careers Seminar Melbourne 29 July](https://originfinance.com.au/mortgage-broking-careers-seminar-melbourne-29-july/): Are you looking to own your own business with a great income?  Then come to our mortgage broking industry seminar on Wednesday, 29th July at 6.00pm in Melbourne Docklands. The property boom has created strong demand for mortgage brokers.   If you: like finding solutions for clients enjoy consulting to find the right bank for the right client want to build a business that does not require much initial outlay …then think about becoming a mortgage broker.  It’s relatively straightforward compared to other professions with comparable incomes – though we do not say it is easy. Origin Finance is one of the country’s leading broker […] - [Arthur Bouronikos](https://originfinance.com.au/arthur-bouronikos/): Ring me for an appointment! 0413 393 146/1300 306 767 About Arthur - [Rayeleen Blatch](https://originfinance.com.au/rayeleen-blatch/): Ring me for an appointment! 0414 979 995 / 1300 30 67 67 About Rayeleen - [Yes, The Screw Has Turned](https://originfinance.com.au/yes-the-screw-has-turned/): You heard it here first. In May I said that the screws were being turned to cool down lending on investor properties.  You can read this by clicking here. Now, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has reported that the number of home loan approvals fell by 6.1 per cent in May. Financial regulators have expressed concern about an overheating (investor) property market and have set a benchmark for the banks to limit the increase in the amount they lend to investors by no more than 10 per cent. All the banks have responded in various ways.  But here are some examples on […] - [They're Leaving on Jet Planes](https://originfinance.com.au/theyre-leaving-on-jet-planes/): Crikey these school holidays really play havoc with my schedule. A couple of us and Graeme have  been juggling careers and family this week.  It’s never easy being a snag  – which is why the only ones that interest me are those that I can eat.   Mortgage broking really is a growth industry – which is why we are looking to put on an extra course at the start of August in Sydney– plus we are going to be running a course in Perth for the first time in ages.  Of course this means that there is much work for Simone to […] - [Successful Mortgage Broking Careers Seminar in Brisbane](https://originfinance.com.au/successful-mortgage-broking-careers-seminar-in-brisbane/): Origin Finance held an excellent mortgage broking careers information session this evening.   There was not a spare seat and many attendees have said they want to begin their mortgage broking career – and with Origin.       - [Rates on Hold](https://originfinance.com.au/rates-on-hold/): As capital city house prices continue to heat up, The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced the result of its monthly board meeting. As expected, the Reserve Bank left the official cash rate at a record low of 2.0 per cent for the third consecutive month. All 33 economists and commentators surveyed by comparison website finder.com.au had forecast that rates would remain on hold. It’s possible the cash rate will fall further in 2015, but the feeling was that today would’ve been too soon, given that a 0.25 per cent cut was made in February and a 0.25 per cent cut […] - [Winter's A Good Time To Buy Property](https://originfinance.com.au/winters-a-good-time-to-buy-property/): Its winter, there are fewer properties on the market and prices are at record highs, can you still buy property?   The answer is yes – if you are organised.   When it comes to the quieter months, it is likely that there will be fewer properties on the market to choose from, however there will also be less competition from other buyers.   With less demand in the market, property prices are less likely to be pushed over emotional levels at auction.   This ultimately leads to sellers losing confidence, which is good for you as a buyer.   But […] - [Case Study – Steve and Colleen Pocknall](https://originfinance.com.au/case-study-steve-and-colleen-pocknall/): Steve and Colleen contacted me in February 2014, wanting to buy their first home together. They had a strong saving’s history.  But their loan application was complicated by the fact that Colleen was new into her teaching contract and they were dipping their toe into the Sydney property market just as it was going into overdrive. It took them over 12 months to buy their home in Lilyfield.  In the intervening period, they got pipped to the post at innumerable auctions and were given the run around by one major bank. They kept their nerve, diligently researched properties were worth and […] - [Booms, Balls and Bones](https://originfinance.com.au/booms-balls-and-bones/): I had a couple of days in the office this week – making sure that the pack was happy.  It has been quite tough actually because Doug has been running an extra training course; I tend to find that I don’t get the attention that I deserve.   The property boom has created lots of keen potential brokers; hence we are running extra courses.  Of course Simone and Julie are the real workhorses here; how they manage to ensure that all the training manuals are printed, the classroom is ready, assignment are marked etc I will never know.   Julie has […] - [How RBA rate changes affect your interest rate](https://originfinance.com.au/how-rba-rate-changes-affect-your-interest-rate/): How RBA rate changes affect your interest rate July 8, 2015 With the RBA setting the official cash rate at all-time lows, it’s a good time to work out how this impacts the interest rate on your home loan and whether you are getting a good deal or not. When the interest rate on your home loan fluctuates, it can feel as though you don’t have control of your debt. Despite being frustrating, interest rate changes are a part of every loan’s lifespan and warrant your consideration. The interest rates that banks charge on their home loans are influenced by the […] - [The Money Is Still Flowing](https://originfinance.com.au/the-money-is-still-flowing/): Despite recent changes to investor lending introduced by the banks, many borrowers can still get a loan – and at great rates. Prompted by pressure by the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA), many lenders are reducing the amount they will lend to investors.  However, a buoyant property market, combined with a competitive banking system, means that there are still lenders who offer: 95 per cent of a property’s value 85 per cent of a property value without requiring Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance Low- doc loans up to 85 per cent of a property value 12 month real pre approval for off-the-plan purchases […] - [Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!](https://originfinance.com.au/happy-birthday-to-me/): Well another year has passed and I am already seven years wiser!  You humans will never be able to keep up.   Many many thanks to my friends at Choice Aggregation for their lovely card.  Fortunately I was in the office today, visiting the troops, when it arrived. This week has been another busy one.  We were running Cert. IV and Diploma training session for new brokers in Sydney this week.  It’s always invigorating seeing students coming in, excited about their new careers.   Of course, Simone has to do a lot of logistical work during these weeks.  First impressions count […] - [EOFY: how small businesses can minimise tax liability](https://originfinance.com.au/eofy-how-small-businesses-can-minimise-tax-liability/): EOFY: how small businesses can minimise tax liability June 23, 2015 End of financial year is a great time to take advantage of business equipment deals, particularly with the threshold for accelerated deductions for small business being raised from $1000 to $20,000. Planning ahead and thinking carefully about your business needs are key to minimising both tax liability and cash flow impact. As business owners rush to minimise tax liability and equipment suppliers fight for the dollars those businesses are looking to spend before 30 June, end of financial year generally sees commercial equipment heavily discounted. This year, with the threshold […] - [Welcome to Henry's World!](https://originfinance.com.au/welcome-to-henrys-world-2/): Welcome to my first blog and the team’s new website. I am very happy to have such a professional team around me. I am particularly grateful to Julie Evans for having created this vehicle that allows me to update you on the important matters like: ball chasing; tail wagging, who’s new in the parks. Doug and Graeme have got a big week ahead. Doug has a presentation in Sydney CBD with almost 100 property investors. On Friday, Doug and Graeme are in Melbourne doing some planning as we increase our national pawprint. (The Melbourne trip started out as a dirty weekend for […] - [Henry Daniell-Vinton](https://originfinance.com.au/henry-daniell-vinton/): Contact Henry's team on 1300 30 67 67 Click for more! - [Time to Fix?](https://originfinance.com.au/time-to-fix/): A recent surge in the cost of funding term loans has triggered a wave of repricing in the fixed rate mortgage market in the past week.   Unlike variable rate mortgages that are linked to the Reserve Bank’s monthly decisions on the cash rate, fixed rate mortgages are priced according to movements in rate benchmarks in the money markets.   In Australia, those benchmarks include so-called “bank swap rates”.   Since the middle of this month those rates have risen from record lows, and are now adding to lenders’ funding costs (see graph) While the RBA’s official cash rate was reduced […] - [Your Bank May Not Allow You To Invest Where You Want To Invest](https://originfinance.com.au/graemes-blog-here/): Due to government pressure, banks are making it tougher to buy investment properties.  Now, one bank has decided to restrict lending in one particular state.  This decision will have a profound impact on which property markets will thrive and which go sideways.   This week, ING announced a reduction in the amount it will lend on investment properties.  ING will now only lend 80 per cent of investment properties in NSW.  Previously, ING would lend 95 per cent.   Other banks are likely to make similar (though not identical) decisions over the next weeks as they scramble to meet the Australian […] - [I love being a Mortgage Broker!](https://originfinance.com.au/i-love-being-a-mortgage-broker-2/): Helping people achieve their dreams whether it’s buying their first home or adding to their retirement investment portfolio is immensely satisfying.  Unlike a bank manager, my job is to sit with my client and navigate the thousands of options available from multiple lenders to ensure we find the most suitable one.  I also make sure they know what extras might be advantageous to their specific circumstances.   In many cases, customers are unaware of the many extras that exist! We have a great team at Origin Finance!  If you have ever thought about becoming a Mortgage Broker, give me a ring and I’ll give you the scoop! - [Danny Tay](https://originfinance.com.au/danny-tay-2/): Ring me for an appointment! 0434 258 268 / 1300 30 67 67 Contact Danny - [Your Loan Approval May Not Be Worth The Paper It Is Written On](https://originfinance.com.au/your-loan-approval-may-not-be-worth-the-paper-it-is-written-on/): Over the past few days the banks, prompted by regulators, have made it more difficult to get an investment loan. So, you may want to get a second opinion on whether your loan approval still stands.   Here is what has happened Prompted by pressure from the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) to limit property investment growth to 10 per cent per annum, the banks have announced new lending policies which will make it just a little tougher for investors to get a property loan.   All banks have announced different policies, but here are some examples of what has happened […] - [We May Have Had a Rate Cut, But the Screws Are Being Turned](https://originfinance.com.au/we-may-have-had-a-rate-cut-but-the-screws-are-being-turned/): Whenever the Reserve Bank reduces interest rates, it is always a case of good news/bad news.   Sure it is good news that mortgage repayments become lower. But it is also means that the economy is slowing.   The implications of this week’s announcements are more nuanced than ever before – some investors will be better off and some worse off. Meanwhile the outcome for others will depend on which bank they are with and their portfolio split.   While the Reserve Bank reduced rates by 0.25 per cent, most banks only partially passed this on to customers. So, if you […] - [Looking for your first home in this crazy Sydney market?](https://originfinance.com.au/looking-for-your-first-home-in-this-crazy-sydney-market/): Did you know we can organised pre-approved finance BEFORE you find your new home. This will give you the advantage and confidence to enter negotiations and make an offer quickly, reducing the changes of your missing out on your dream home. In a hot market like the one we are experiencing in Sydney, and particularly in the eastern suburbs, let me help you today!   - [We May Have Had a Rate Cut, But the Screws Are Being Turned](https://originfinance.com.au/may-rate-cut-screws-turned/): Guest post by Graeme Salt, 14 May 2015 Whenever the Reserve Bank reduces interest rates, it is always a case of good news/bad news. Sure it is good news that mortgage repayments become lower. But it is also means that the economy is slowing. The implications of this week’s announcements are more nuanced than ever before – some investors will be better off and some worse off. Meanwhile the outcome for others will depend on which bank they are with and their portfolio split. While the Reserve Bank reduced rates by 0.25 per cent, most banks only partially passed this on […] - [Gary Ablett, Batman, The Economist and The Property Market](https://originfinance.com.au/quia-ad-et-necessitatibus-in-voluptas-atque/): Australian property is 25 per cent over valued, The Economist recently concluded. Amongst the 26 property markets it monitored, The Economist concluded that Australia is the second dearest country in which to buy property. This pessimistic view is probably not shared by The Reserve Bank of Australia, nor many property sector economists. As Dr Andrew Wilson of The Domain Group pointed out, The Economist’s results would be a more accurate picture of affordability if it had compared incomes to mortgages, rather than house prices. With 30 per cent of Australian home owners owning a property outright a far more accurate measure of affordability would be comparing incomes to […] - [Six Tips to Mortgage Approval](https://originfinance.com.au/ad-suscipit-nulla-quia-provident-sed/): While interest rates are low, the property market in parts of the country is red-hot, which means that would-be home buyers need to maximise their borrowing capacity if they want to buy their dream home.   Here are some tips that will boost your borrowing powers: Know what the banks know The first thing any lender will do when they receive your loan application is check your credit file. This combines details such as your employment history, how often you have moved around and how often you have applied for any sort of loan.   Some lenders pay more attention to your […] - [Would You Like $1,000 and a Better Home Loan?](https://originfinance.com.au/sample-post-for-broker-1/): There is intense competition between the banks at the moment – and they are competing for your business. Recently, three of the major banks offered $1,000 cash-back to clients who switch to them. But the good news for borrowers does not stop there. The banks are also offering massively discounted rates; which means that once you finance, you will also enjoy better repayments. Recent research by Digital Finance Analysis showed that, on average, the banks are discounting one per cent from their standard variable rate – with some lenders going as low as 1.3 per cent below. In a world of […] - [Is spring the right time to buy?](https://originfinance.com.au/is-spring-the-right-time-to-buy-2/): Spring is widely known as the busiest time in the home buying calendar as the nicer weather draws more buyers out to property inspections, and drives more vendors to list their properties. But is spring really the best time for buying a home, or is it merely an industry myth? It’s true that spring is often the most active time in the property market. Many real estate agents will advise sellers to hold off in listing their property over winter and wait until spring so that their properties look more attractive to buyers in the warmer weather. For this reason, there […] - [Renting or buying – which is best for you?](https://originfinance.com.au/renting-or-buying-which-is-best-for-you-2/): When it comes to property, the decision between renting and buying is often a difficult one. While renting will often be cheaper in the short-term than paying a mortgage, the benefits of buying a home may leave you financially better off in the long run. However, you’ll need to have a deposit and some stability in your finances to get started. Renting Renting a home can give you more flexibility both financially and socially – for instance, if you’re young and want to go travelling, you can simply give up your lease rather than still having a mortgage to pay. It’s […] - [Interest rate limbo - how low can you go](https://originfinance.com.au/interest-rate-limbo-how-low-can-you-go/) - [Can You Be Sure You Got the Best Deal?](https://originfinance.com.au/occaecati-sit-maxime-deserunt/): There are two types of home loan borrower I meet at a BBQ, those who:   go to their local branch for a home loan, accept the offer they are sold and then boast that ‘XYZ bank gave me a 0.8 per cent discount for being a loyal customer!’ ask themselves how they can get the best deal and then consult a broker who knows which banks are eager for business – with much bigger discounts   Recent research by Digital Finance Analytics proved this point. They calculated that since January banks have been heavily discounting interest rates. The average discount […] - [Budget: Only half of investors face tax hike](https://originfinance.com.au/budget-only-half-of-investors-face-tax-hike/): By Graeme Salt Taxes rise for only about half of property investments under the latest budget – and in many cases they fall. That is the conclusion of research from economics think tank the e61 Institute (linked to University of NSW) Its research followed 920,000 individual housing investments held between 2008 and 2025 and concluded: Investors on lower incomes are some of the biggest winners as the reforms make rental income losses deductible against capital gains rather against labour income, and CGT is often paid at a higher tax rate than labour income tax. High leverage investors and retirees are some […] - [It's hard for the kids](https://originfinance.com.au/its-hard-for-the-kids/): By Graeme Salt Young Australians are resorting to complex methods to buy their own homes. That is the conclusion of new research from the University of Adelaide. It found that almost half of young people followed disrupted housing pathways, moving repeatedly between renting, homeownership and, in some cases, back to the family home. In the past, the expected housing pathway was relatively simple. This “Great Australian Dream” came to shape how many Australians thought about adulthood, financial security and the future.  But today’s younger generation faces disjointed journeys along the property ladder; many of them are dependent on factors external to […] - [Is your offset really saving you money?](https://originfinance.com.au/is-your-offset-really-saving-you-money/): Offset Accounts - [Your next mortgage may not be with a bank.](https://originfinance.com.au/your-next-mortgage-may-not-be-with-a-bank/): By Graeme Salt You want to buy a house; your first call is often to your bank. But increasingly, many non-bank lenders are finding solutions to would-be home buyers when the bank says no. Sometimes, highly-regulated banks just won’t lend you enough for the expensive Australian property markets.  This image shows the borrowing capacity of a PAYG couple hoping to: The banks couldn’t get close (about $775k) as the banking regulator forces them to be more conservative. Many of these non-bank lenders are household names like Liberty or La Trobe.  Some, like Pepper, are even listed on the Australian Stock Exchange […] - [Current First Home Benefits in Australia: 2026 Guide](https://originfinance.com.au/current-first-home-benefits-in-australia-2026-guide/): Buying your first home in Australia in 2026 has never been more achievable. The landscape of government incentives has expanded significantly, opening doors for more Australians to step onto the property ladder sooner. From lower deposit requirements to generous grants and stamp duty concessions, here’s everything you need to know about the current first home buyer benefits and how you can take advantage of them. 1. The First Home Guarantee – Buy with Just 5% Deposit The First Home Guarantee (FHBG), formerly known as the 5% Deposit Scheme, remains one of the most powerful tools for first home buyers. It allows eligible buyers to […] - [Property in 2026](https://originfinance.com.au/property-in-2026/): By Graeme Salt Home prices will finish 2026 largely flat across the combined capitals, as higher interest rates and strained affordability see soft to falling prices through the back half of 2026, before a turning point and return to growth late in the year and into 2027. But the result is not a uniform slowdown. It is a divergence – between cities with different affordability profiles, investor exposures and supply dynamics, and between houses and units within those cities Nationally, home prices are expected to grow 5.5 per cent in 2027, slightly below the typical growth rate of around 7 per […] - [Can’t save a 20pc deposit? Four ways to buy property sooner](https://originfinance.com.au/cant-save-a-20pc-deposit-four-ways-to-buy-property-sooner/): By Graeme Salt Amassing a down payment remains a huge hurdle for aspiring buyers, despite easing house prices. A house deposit generally needs to be 20 per cent of the value of the property if buyers want to avoid paying what’s called lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). LMI protects lenders from losing money if a borrower defaults and can cost tens of thousands of dollars. In Australia’s most expensive property market, Sydney, the median dwelling value is $1.27 million, a 20 per cent deposit is $253,122. For younger buyers, getting a full 20 per cent deposit together is becoming near impossible, particularly in Sydney […] - [8 out of 10 Australians Can't Be Wrong](https://originfinance.com.au/8-out-of-10-australians-cant-be-wrong/): By Graeme Salt More than eight out 10 Australians now use mortgage brokers to arrange their home loans new figures have revealed. But why would you use a mortgage broker? According to research house, Cotality, 81.0 per cent of new home loans are arranged by mortgage brokers – an increase of 4.2 per cent since 2025. Why would you choose to use a broker rather than just go to your bank? Broker legislation means they must act in your best interest in assessing your lending needs – whereas banks just sell you their own product. Let’s face it, if you went […] - [How Much Does a Sydney Renovation Cost?](https://originfinance.com.au/how-much-does-a-sydney-renovation-cost/): The Federal Budget has shifted the focus of the property market. Now, for many, the owner-occupied home may be the most tax-effective means of wealth creation.  And many are currently looking at home improvements to boost their wealth. But how much does a reno cost?  Hipages has produced the below figures to give you an idea of what an upgrade will cost. Renovation cost per m2 Sydney varies from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on a whole host of factors including:  Here is a breakdown room-by-room Bathroom renovation costs in Sydney  The bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms to renovate, thanks to […] - [Rents vs wages - how do they compare by city?](https://originfinance.com.au/rents-vs-wages-how-do-they-compare-by-city/): By Graeme Salt Extract taken from realestate.com.au/insights In all of Australia’s capital cities, rents have outgrown wages. Perth has had the largest increase in rents relative to wages, with rents increasing by 80 percentage points more than wages. That increase has placed significant pressure on household budgets, as wages have not kept pace. The proportion of household budgets allocated to rents in Perth has increased since the start of the 2020s. On the other hand, Canberra has had the most balanced rental growth relative to wages, with only a small 3.1 percentage-point difference since January 2020 until the end of March. […] - [New loans for tech workers](https://originfinance.com.au/new-loans-for-tech-workers/): By Graeme Salt Work is changing – and so are the people who can get special deals from the banks. In the past, professions such as lawyers, accountants and doctors received favourable treatment from banks. But now, one lender has thrown the door open to tech employees who work for: • Adobe Inc • Alphabet Inc • Amazon • Apple • Atlassian • Meta • Microsoft • Salesforce • Xero   These special deals really work for borrowers who don’t have the full 20 per cent deposit that many banks want to see. And there are also some similar options for […] - [When it comes to property, we need a Bex and a lie down.](https://originfinance.com.au/when-it-comes-to-property-we-need-a-bex-and-a-lie-down/): This week saw a number of separate pieces of research which showed the future for the housing market. There has been much hand-wringing on the state of the property market – with Cotality’s national Home Value Index (HVI) dropping 0.4 per cent marking the largest month-on-month fall since December 2022. But we all need to take a Bex and lie down. Much of the angst about the budget has been confected outrage from many in the property and finance industries whose concern may be more for their own bottom-line than Australian’s housing needs. Here’s how things are likely to pan out. […] - [Record-low auction clearance rates are good news.](https://originfinance.com.au/record-low-auction-clearance-rates-are-good-news/): By Graeme Salt Well they are good news for buyers at least – but that’s the whole point of this budget.  To make homes more affordable by removing the financial advantage that investors have enjoyed. Sydney auctions sank to their lowest clearing rate (47 per cent) in more than six years this weekend and Melbourne had its weakest week in almost five years. The supply of properties is now exceeding demand, keeping a lid on prices.  Much of this is due to the recent federal budget which has Because investors are not bidding on properties as they were, Westpac has reported […] - [Do trees make cities more liveable?](https://originfinance.com.au/do-trees-make-cities-more-liveable/): By Graeme Salt Cities around the world are planting more trees to cope with rising urban heat. And parts of Melbourne are 18°C more comfortable due to tree planting. But recent academic research shows trees alone are often not enough. In some cases, the wrong kind of greening can even make streets feel less comfortable on a hot day. Layered vegetation – where trees are combined with shrubs and ground cover – often cooled cities more effectively than trees alone.  Cities trap heat. Roads, buildings and asphalt absorb solar energy during the day and slowly release it back into the air, especially […] - [The easiest way to save your home deposit](https://originfinance.com.au/the-easiest-way-to-save-your-home-deposit/): By Graeme Salt Saving for a first home is already hard enough. So when a federal budget change appears to make some popular savings strategies less attractive, it is no surprise people are worried. Since the rent budget, concern has centred on young Australians who are using shares or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to save for a home deposit. About one in ten people under 35 own shares, according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers. The worry is that changes to the capital gains tax (CGT) will reduce after-tax returns and slow their progress. The government plans to replace the 50 per cent CGT discount with […] - [Mortgage for gig workers, casuals](https://originfinance.com.au/mortgage-for-gig-workers-casuals/): By Graeme Salt Gig economy and casual employees can still get a mortgage – if they know where to go. Two surveys show how jobs have changed – with significant implications for getting a mortgage. In the past, banks have struggled to lend to would-be borrowers in more precarious positions such as these.  But increasingly, they are recognising that the world of work is changing. Many Australians have portfolio careers or maybe a side hustle in addition to their regular job. As the gig economy has developed, companies such as Uber and AirBnB provide statements to be used in tax returns […] - [Interest Rates and Property Prices in Australia: What Drives Long-Term Growth?](https://originfinance.com.au/interest-rates-and-property-prices-in-australia-what-drives-long-term-growth/): One big lever vs many smaller levers Today when people discuss property prices Australia, the debate often jumps straight to tax settings such as negative gearing or the CGT discount. Those settings likely contributed to investor demand, and they remain part of the picture. But if we are asking what best explains the broad, long-run rise in Australian property prices between 1990 and 2025, evidence suggests the bigger and more direct force was the long decline in interest rates and the resulting lift in borrowing power across the whole market. That matters because lower rates do not just help investors. They […] - [A Dickens of a property market](https://originfinance.com.au/a-dickens-of-a-property-market/): By Graeme Salt  “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”  Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities The budget is already having a huge impact on the property market, with investors now focussing on new-builds thus giving owner occupiers less competition. This week, many of my clients have shown the joys as well as frustrations of a rapidly cooling property market. The budget has levelled the playing field for (younger) owner-occupiers, with tax benefits that previously enabled investors to out-muscle them now withdrawn by the budget. Investors can no longer buy established properties and claim negative […] - [Are you a winner in this budget?](https://originfinance.com.au/are-you-a-winner-in-this-budget/): By Graeme Salt This budget really created winners and loser. It is a first step in tilting the balance in favour of younger, working Australians trying to buy their first home. For decades, the housing market has been geared in favour of older investors such as me. The budget will sweep away many of the tax incentives we have enjoyed in the property market notably by: Personally, this is bad news for me.  I am now facing a much higher tax bill when I sell my property portfolio.  Thankfully I have also been salary-sacrificing into Super so will be fine. But […] - [Super Budget Wins](https://originfinance.com.au/super-budget-wins/): By Graeme Salt Self-managed super funds (SMSF) may become the surprise winner in the budget, with investors emerging with relatively superior tax treatment. In the budget, Trusts will be subject to a 30 per cent tax rate. However, the Albanese government has left intact the ability of SMSF (itself a Trust) s to borrow – and at a more favourable tax rate. And this is a double-bonus for SMSF investors as, under new capital gains tax rules because if you sell an asset outside super, it could now be taxed close to your marginal tax rate. But if you have it within […] - [Is now a good time to buy?](https://originfinance.com.au/has-your-borrowing-capacity-been-reduced-by-the-budget/): By Graeme Salt This week I spoke to a client whose borrowing capacity has been reduced from $480k to $300k. Granted this client was looking to buy an investment property (and had been relying on negative gearing).  But her experience is relevant to us all. The property market has been primed for a reset for some time. Many would-be buyers are now sitting on the sidelines waiting for the dust to settle from the budget. This weekend’s auction clearance rates showed inherent pessimism amongst potential buyers: Sydney 56.9% Melbourne 60% Brisbane 45.7% Adelaide 72% While much of this has been precipitated […] - [$250,000 less – that could be this budget’s impact on your borrowing capacity.](https://originfinance.com.au/250-000-less-that-could-be-this-budgets-impact-on-your-borrowing-capacity/): By Graeme Salt This week’s budget made a number of key announcements, one of which was to remove negative gearing benefits for newly purchased properties except for brand new properties. This difference between old and new will have a huge impact on your borrowing capacity due to the different way banks assess the impact of negative gearing on the household budget. Some banks are very optimistic in their calculations of negative gearing benefits.  And if these benefits will only apply to new properties, then the difference could be great. I ran the numbers on a couple looking to buy an investment […] - [Beyond the headlines, there’s still growth.  But where?](https://originfinance.com.au/beyond-the-headlines-theres-still-growth-but-where/): By Graeme Salt Forecast rate rises and the Iran War has added pessimism to the property market.  But is it well-founded? Long-term research by Suburb Trends shows that some locations are under-performing while others over-performing, despite recent declines if consumer confidence. Australia has many different property markets, whose economic performance tends to revert to the mean in the long-term.  One year one city may be straggling, only for it to bounce back as soon as it looks good value to purchasers. A case in point is Melbourne which, according to the research, is 15 per cent below where it should be […] - [Middle East Conflict and Australian Property Prices: What Buyers, Investors and Homeowners Need to Know](https://originfinance.com.au/middle-east-conflict-and-australian-property-prices/): By Origin Finance | Published April 2026 Global conflict rarely stays contained within its borders. The ongoing instability across the Middle East — encompassing ongoing hostilities in Gaza, tensions in the Red Sea shipping lanes, and broader geopolitical friction involving Iran, Israel, and key Gulf states — is sending ripple effects across the world economy. For Australians with property ambitions, whether as first home buyers, seasoned investors, or homeowners watching their equity, understanding those ripples is not just useful. It’s essential. At Origin Finance, we work with clients every day who are trying to make confident, informed decisions in uncertain times. […] - [You have agreed to buy your new home - now what happens?](https://originfinance.com.au/you-have-agreed-to-buy-your-new-home-now-what-happens/): By Graeme Salt Settling on a property can be one of the most stressful exercises you will have to go through. In Australia, many contracts expect there to be 42 days (six weeks) between exchanging on a property and settling. This allows time for everyone to get their ducks in a row.  Things like: The main reason why it’s so stressful is not because it’s messy, but there is often a lot of emotion riding on a home purchase.  In fact, compared to other places, it’s fairly painless. In England and Wales, the average transaction takes around 120 days and roughly […] - [There are markets within markets.](https://originfinance.com.au/there-are-markets-within-markets/): By Graeme Salt If someone tells you the Australian property market is dead, they could be both right and wrong at the same time. If someone tells you the Sydney property market is dead, they could be both right and wrong at the same time. Even in a flat market, certain locations can show stellar growth. I had a meeting today in Parramatta and could not help but be bowled over by how impressive Sydney’s second CBD is.  It feels as impressive as the business district in many US or European cities with excellent transport, offices, recreation, universities and hospitality. A […] - [Are we heading for a property bloodbath?](https://originfinance.com.au/are-we-heading-for-a-property-bloodbath/): By Graeme Salt This weekend auction clearance rate fell to 60.9 per cent, according to research house Cotality.  Such a low figure can imply there are more sellers on the market than buyers; often a pre-cursor to a price drop. In the current climate (rate rises and Iran war) this is far from surprising.  Such that the ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index dropped 5.4 points to a record low – stretching back over 50 years since 1972 – below the previous COVID-19 pandemic low. In this situation it’s hardly surprising that sellers are rushing their properties to market for fear of […] - [Changes Help Buyers](https://originfinance.com.au/changes-help-buyers/): New legal changes in our largest states aim to make things easier for would-be home buyers. This comes after so many potential purchases have been majorly disappointed in the past. In NSW In Victoria Both these changes are in the favour of purchasers. NSW has been plagued with stories of agents underquoting on likely sale prices as a means of driving up interest (in the hope that they can inflate a price). Many have complained they have been lured by a low price quoted, incurred huge inspection costs, then been blown out of the water on auction day. The Victorian survey […] - [Mortgage Brokers Still Have a Place with AI](https://originfinance.com.au/mortgage-brokers-is-your-job-safe-from-ai/): In future, will people arrange their loans via AI – making brokers redundant? The last few days, we have seen job losses in some of our major technology companies laying off: For Block, this represents 40 per cent of its workforce. Most commentators argue that AI will impact white collar workers more than most – so I thought I would do some research to see if I will still have a business in a few years.  Here is what Copilot told me (I doubt ChatGPT or Claude would be that different). In this case, Copilot did advocate for brokers.  It did […] - [Can anybody see property stop growing?](https://originfinance.com.au/can-anybody-see-property-stop-growing-2/): By Graeme Salt The total value of residential dwellings in Australia is now $12,307.2 billion according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). How much of your wealth is tied up in property? According to the ABS there has been an increase of $384.8 billion since the previous quarter. While the value of Australia’s property appears to be growing inexorably, growth is not uniform. In the December quarter 2025, the total value of residential dwellings rose in all states and territories, with growth most evident in Queensland (5.3 per cent), Western Australia (7.8 per cent), and New South Wales (1.7 per […] - [33,000 deaths this year will impact the property market.](https://originfinance.com.au/33000-deaths-this-year-will-impact-the-property-market/): By Graeme Salt My Mum’s death will help reshape where and what we purchase, who buys and how much they pay. Her passing is part of the great wealth transition, where assets are being transferred from baby boomers to their kids – helping them get on the property ladder. According to research by demographer Bernard Salt (he comes from the long-lost clever branch of the family), there’s about $4-6trn in Australia which is likely to be progressively spent and/or transferred over coming decades. This will reshape the property market as the wealth will be democratised between siblings. My Mum died a […] - [Can anybody see property stop growing?](https://originfinance.com.au/can-anybody-see-property-stop-growing/): The total value of residential dwellings in Australia is now $12,307.2 billion according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). How much of your wealth is tied up in property? According to the ABS there has been an increase of $384.8 billion since the previous quarter. While the value of Australia’s property appears to be growing inexorably, growth is not uniform. In the December quarter 2025, the total value of residential dwellings rose in all states and territories, with growth most evident in Queensland (5.3 per cent), Western Australia (7.8 per cent), and New South Wales (1.7 per cent). The mean […] - [Trees' Impact on Property Value (Good and Bad)](https://originfinance.com.au/trees-impact-on-property-value-good-and-bad/): By Graeme Salt $100, 000 – that is the difference in house prices between a well-positioned and poorly-positioned tree. According to research by the University of Technology Sydney*, a single street tree can potentially increase an average Sydney house price by $30,000. But, if a tree is too close to a home, it can actually reduce the selling price by more than $70,000. That price boost only occurred when the trees were about 10–20 metres from a home, such as across the street or near the frontage. Thereafter, if the tree was further than 20 metres away, the research found no […] - [First-time Buyers.  Is rentvesting for you?](https://originfinance.com.au/first-time-buyer/): Graeme chooses to rentvest - [First Home Benefits 2026](https://originfinance.com.au/first-home-benefits-australia/): First Home Buyer Benefits 2026 - [Why first timers may be wise buying a place – even as prices rise](https://originfinance.com.au/why-first-timers-may-be-wise-buying-a-place-even-as-prices-rise/): Would-be first-time buyers are caught between a rock and hard place – either they buy at exalted prices, or they remain as tenants and pay exorbitant rents. The first-time buyer market is turbo-charged due to government incentives that only seem to benefit sellers. Yet, with rents also increasing dramatically, would-be buyers may still be best off buying in an overheating market. According to Cotality, Australian rents have surged almost three times faster than wages over the past five years, pushing rental affordability to record lows and stretching household budgets across the country. This coincides with first-home buyer activity accelerating sharply following […] - [What does it Take to Become a Successful Mortgage Broker](https://originfinance.com.au/become-a-successful-mortgage-broker/): become a successful mortgage broker with Origin Finance - [We all hear about paying fortnightly, but few people understand how it actually works.](https://originfinance.com.au/we-all-hear-about-paying-fortnightly-but-few-people-understand-how-it-actually-works/): Here’s a simple mortgage strategy that could save you years and tens of thousands of dollars. We all hear about paying fortnightly, but few people understand how it actually works. Pay half your monthly mortgage payment fortnightly instead of the full amount monthly. It sounds small, but the math is powerful. By paying fortnightly, you’re making 26 payments a year instead of 12. That’s one extra full monthly payment annually—without changing your budget significantly. Over a 30-year mortgage, that single change can shave 4-6 years off your loan and save you substantial interest. On a $500,000 mortgage at 6%, you could […] - [Can Older Australians Get a Mortgage?](https://originfinance.com.au/can-older-australians-get-a-mortgage/): By Graeme Salt Many banks are realistic about lending to older Australians. Over the past 20 years, the number of Australians aged 55 to 64 who own their homes outright has almost halved. Meanwhile the portion of homeowners older than 65 with mortgage debt has gone from 4 per cent in 2002-03 to about 13 per cent. As a result, some banks are now more pragmatic about older mortgage applicants than they used to be.  They may ask questions such as: And the trend towards retiring with a mortgage is likely to continue According to Vanguard’s How Australia Retires 2025 report, 36 […] - [Fixed vs. Variable: A Strategic Decision for Your Financial Future](https://originfinance.com.au/fixed-vs-variable-a-strategic-decision-for-your-financial-future/): Fixed vs. Variable: A Strategic Decision for Your Financial Future - [How Offset Accounts Can Save You Thousands on Your Home Loan](https://originfinance.com.au/how-offset-accounts-can-save-you-thousands-on-your-home-loan/): How Offset Accounts Can Save You Thousands on Your Home Loan If you’re paying off a mortgage, you need to understand offset accounts. They’re one of the most effective ways to reduce the interest you pay and build equity faster. What’s an offset account? It’s a savings account linked to your home loan. The balance in this account is “offset” against your loan balance when calculating interest. Simple example: $500,000 loan + $50,000 in offset account = you only pay interest on $450,000. Why this matters: At Origin Finance, we’ve helped thousands of Australians structure their mortgages to maximize offset account […] - [Origin Finance qualified again for LMG's Top 100 Business Owners Summit](https://originfinance.com.au/9879-2/): We’re thrilled to announce that Origin Finance has qualified again for LMG’s Top 100 Business Owners Summit! 🎉 This recognition reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional mortgage advice and personalized service to Australian families and investors. It’s a testament to our team’s expertise, dedication, and the trust our clients place in us every single day for more than 25 years. We’re proud to be counted among Australia’s leading business owners, and we’re excited to connect with fellow industry leaders at the summit. Thank you to our incredible clients, partners, and team for making this possible. Here’s to more success ahead! Ready […] - [If rates go up next week, what will it do to property?](https://originfinance.com.au/if-rates-go-up-next-week-what-will-it-do-to-property/): By Graeme Salt Inflation figures released today, indicate that we are up for an interest rate rise. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, inflation gained a further 3.8 per cent – economists had been predicting a rise of 3.4 per cent. As a result, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is likely to raise interest rates when it meets next week. What does a rate rise mean for borrowers? If you have a home loan on a variable rate, chances are your repayments are going to increase. But let’s get this into perspective.  If you have a loan of $500,000 […] - [Getting Mortgage-Ready: 5 Steps to Strengthen Your Financial Position](https://originfinance.com.au/getting-mortgage-ready-5-steps-to-strengthen-your-financial-position/): Are you ready to take the first step towards homeownership? Strengthening your financial position is crucial for a successful mortgage application. Discover the five essential steps to improve your chances of approval, from checking your credit score to organizing your financial documents. Learn how to reduce debt, build savings, and stabilize your income to become a more attractive borrower. At Origin Finance, we’re dedicated to guiding you through the mortgage process with tailored solutions. Don’t miss out on your dream home—read on to find out how to get mortgage-ready today! - [Big Australia’s impact on the property market](https://originfinance.com.au/big-australias-impact-on-the-property-market/): By Graeme Salt There’s set to be 40 million Australians by the 2050s.  Where will we house them? Already 52 per cent of us live in the three biggest cities.  Despite its size, Australia is highly urbanised. And this urban concentration is not just confined to the largest cities; eight in 10 Western Australians and South Australians live in cities. According to Treasury modelling this concentration is set to continue.  Sydney and Melbourne will see the majority of this population growth and are both projected to surpass 8 million people. Population growth was 1.5 per cent in 2025 and increasingly people […] - [Connor Jackson](https://originfinance.com.au/connor-jackson/): Connor Jackson is a client driven commercial finance broker with a solid background in business banking and asset finance - [Looking to buy a property but waiting for prices to drop?](https://originfinance.com.au/looking-to-buy-a-property-but-waiting-for-prices-to-drop/): By Graeme Salt Want to buy but nervous of a collapse in property prices? Chances are you will be waiting a very long time. Research just release by Cotality shows that over the past four decades, there were only six years where home values fell.  At most it was a 6.1 per cent drop in 2008 (GFC), the smallest was only 0.5 per cent in 1990. Most experts predict a rise in values this year albeit modestly.  Affordability pressures plus strict lending controls imposed on the banks mean that, across the country, prices are unlikely to get too far ahead. When […] - [Too late for first-time buyers?](https://originfinance.com.au/too-late-for-first-time-buyers/): By Graeme Salt In news that surprises nobody, prices on properties suitable to the government’s First Home Guarantee Scheme have risen sharper than the rest of the property market. Research by the Australian Financial Review and Cotality showed that, across the country, 89 per cent of locations saw above average growth in the first home buyer segment. Properties priced under $1.5 million in Sydney, under $1 million in Brisbane and Canberra, and $950,000 in Melbourne are eligible under the expanded scheme, which The price cap is set at $900,000 in Adelaide, $850,000 in Perth and $700,000 in Hobart. Since the scheme […] - [Where do you want to live?](https://originfinance.com.au/where-do-you-want-to-live/): By Graeme Salt I thought about buying an apartment yesterday, but got cold feet as it made me wonder what do we want from a home? I am a ‘rentvester’; I have decided to rent where I want to live while building an investment portfolio of properties around the country. But, I am starting to wonder what I will want in future from a home – and have seen lots of friends my age ask themselves the same question. I turn 59 in a few months – I know that will surprise those of you who think I am 25 😉 […] - [Unsure where to go?](https://originfinance.com.au/unsure-where-to-go/): By Graeme Salt The property market enters 2026 in a state of confusion, with many would-be buyers unsure where prices are heading. Over 2025, home prices rose by 8.6 per cent last year to a median of $991,331 after three Reserve Bank rate cuts boosted borrowing capacity, but the pace of monthly growth slowed to just 0.7 per cent in December. And in December 2025, Sydney and Melbourne saw a modest drop of 0.1 per cent – auguring a quieter start to 2026. The main reason why experts are expecting a quieter start to 2026 is that economists are increasingly pessimistic on interest […] - [Next Year's Growth Spots](https://originfinance.com.au/next-years-growth-spots/): By Graeme Salt Perth and Brisbane will be where it’s at in 2026.  Two research houses (SQM and PropTrack) have concluded that these two cities will see most price growth. SQM predict that Perth could rise as much as 14 per cent next year and Brisbane by 12 per cent (assuming no change to interest rates). Meanwhile, REA forecasts both Perth and Brisbane to outpace growth in the other capitals with gains of between 7 per cent and 10 per cent. Commodity prices are key drivers in both states.  But also there are factors such as the 2032 Olympics and interstate migration that […] - [A $42 billion value gap driven by flood risk](https://originfinance.com.au/a-42-billion-value-gap-driven-by-flood-risk/): By Graeme Salt According to new research by PropTrack at least 70 per cent of homes in flood zones have experienced a reduction in property value as a result of flood risk. On average, this equates to a $37,000 drop in property values across all dwellings.  Collectively this equates to a loss of $42.2bn in potential home equity. This value gap isn’t confined to regional floodplains. It spans the housing market, from the Northern Rivers and Brisbane’s western suburbs to affluent waterfront Gold Coast postcodes. According to PropTrack, in some high value areas, the gap well exceeds $500,000 per home. Since […] - [No cuts for 'foreseeable future'](https://originfinance.com.au/no-cuts-for-foreseeable-future/): By Graeme Salt Today, the Reserve Bank Governor said, “it does look like additional cuts are not needed”.  She also stated that the Reserve Bank Board was not expecting inflation to come back below three for another 12 months.  With no cuts expected for “the foreseeable future” this means rates are either going to hold steady, or increase, in 2026. Many economists are now predicting rate rises toward the end of next year. This is a remarkable turnaround from a position a few months ago.  As early as April, markets had expected the RBA’s cash rate to reach 2.7 per whereas […] - [Will your home’s environmental performance impact its value?](https://originfinance.com.au/will-your-homes-environmental-performance-impact-its-value/): By Graeme Salt Recent analysis by Cotality shows that investing in a home’s sustainability makes financial sense. Its “Watt’s it Worth” report found that adding one star to a home’s energy efficiency rating adds around $10,000 in value, while installing solar panels lifts value by more than double that ($23,100). The federal government is moving towards mandatory energy disclosure, requiring all homes to publicise their energy rating at the point of sale or rental. Market forces are already pricing energy performance into property values and regulation is catching up. Major businesses are already required to report on climate risks and opportunities, […] - [Graeme's 2026 Predictions](https://originfinance.com.au/graemes-2026-predictions/): By Graeme Salt This year, property prices have grown by around 8.5 per cent.  Growth is still predicted in 2026 – though at the more moderate rate of five to seven per cent. In last year’s annual review, I predicted that 2025 would be a year in two halves – with prices growing strongly in the latter half of the year, fuelled by rate cuts. Broadly speaking that has played out – although with rate cuts looking less likely than originally predicted, elements of the property market appear to be calming.  This trend looks set to continue next year. Here are […] - [How AI can help you buy a place](https://originfinance.com.au/how-ai-can-help-you-buy-a-place/): By Graeme Salt Artificial Intelligence (AI) is supposed to revolutionise many things – but will it help you buy a place? Many experts talk about AI having a huge impact on professional activities – particularly with the more junior ranks.  The sorts of roles often mentioned include activities like book-keeping and para-planners. But could it have an impact on the process of purchasing a property?  Typically, AI is seen as being applicable to professional activities that are: So, let’s look at some of the professions involved in purchasing a property – to see if they could be replaced by AI. Mortgage […] - [Do you need bridging finance?](https://originfinance.com.au/do-you-need-bridging-finance/): By Graeme Salt Bridging finance is almost a dirty word in Australia. Many of us, or our parents, are scarred by the 1990’s when they were stuck holding their old home as well as their new home and paying 18 per cent of the loans! Thankfully there are now many lenders who are offering competitive bridging loans.  With rates at about 7.04 per cent. And, if your broker can find a way of you keeping your current home and making it an investment property, your accountant may think it’s a tax effective strategy. In today’s market, many think they have to […] - [What if this is as good as it gets?](https://originfinance.com.au/what-if-this-is-as-good-as-it-gets/): By Graeme Salt What if there are no more mortgage interest rates to come? Underlying inflation increased to three per cent in the year to September, which was well above economists’ expectations of 2.7 per cent. As a result, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept interest rates on hold this month at 3.6 per cent. Some economists are now stating that there may be no more rate cuts to come.  And, as the RBA has pointed out – to tame inflation, we didn’t have to get interest rates as high as other countries and so, we probably don’t now need […] - [Home values rise in October - the fastest in two years](https://originfinance.com.au/home-values-rise-in-october-the-fastest-in-two-years/): By Graeme Salt Housing prices rose 1.1 per cent nationally in October, led by strong gains in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, though prices rose everywhere as the first homebuyer deposit guarantee scheme kicked into gear.  Prices were up in every city and every region, according to data house Cotality’s latest monthly home values report, released today. Source: Cotality Over the quarter, there were 5 per cent price gains in Perth, Brisbane, and Darwin. Source: Cotality Over the year, housing prices were up 6.1 per cent. Source: Cotality Cotality reported that in the capital cities the strongest price increases were in the […] - [How to make a squeaky-clean mortgage application](https://originfinance.com.au/how-to-make-a-squeaky-clean-mortgage-application/): By Graeme Salt There’s heaps you can do to strengthen your mortgage application, long before you actually apply for a loan. As soon as you submit a loan application, the bank will run a credit check on you.  Your credit report has heaps of information on you – particularly how much debt you have and how good you are at making your repayments on time. Your credit score gives you a rating based on positive behaviours (you get plus marks for making payments on-time, or even early).  It also gives you negative marks if you have late payments. Wanting to stay […] - [Why You Can Still Get a Rate Cut—Even if the Reserve Bank Holds Steady](https://originfinance.com.au/get-a-rate-cut-even-if-the-reserve-bank-doesnt/): Are you assuming your mortgage rate is set in stone just because the Reserve Bank of Australia is holding rates steady? Think again! In today’s competitive lending landscape, banks are vying for your business with enticing offers and discounts. You could save thousands simply by shopping around or negotiating with your current lender. For instance, a homeowner with a $500,000 mortgage could save over $1,800 annually by switching from a 6.20% to a 5.69% (Comparison rate). Don’t miss out on potential savings—discover how a quick call to your mortgage broker could unlock a better deal for you! - [Why the new first-home buyer scheme is worth a crack (even though I am not a fan)](https://originfinance.com.au/why-the-new-first-home-buyer-scheme-is-worth-a-crack-even-though-i-am-not-a-fan/): By Graeme Salt Consistent with its election pledge, this week, the federal government has expanded its first-home buyer scheme.  Gone are many of the price and income limitations. Under the scheme, first-home buyers need only a five per cent deposit to buy a home and their mortgage is underwritten by the federal government. Many industry experts (and I am one) fear that the expanded scheme will heat up the first-home buyer market.  But the federal government believes it will only had 0.5 per cent to property prices over the next six years. However, the Insurance Council of Australia argues it will […] - [Investors back in market](https://originfinance.com.au/investors-back-in-market/): By Graeme Salt Investors are showing increased confidence in the property market and are increasingly looking to buy property. New figures from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) show that, for the first time in a decade, the growth in investor finance is now higher than for owner-occupied properties. And, according to the latest Westpac consumer sentiment survey, the time to buy a dwelling index jumped by more than 10 per cent to be 37 per cent higher than in August 2024! On the ground, we are seeing more investors looking for opportunities – either at home or interstate.  Jim Christou […] - [Prepare for take-off](https://originfinance.com.au/prepare-for-take-off/): By Graeme Salt Prices for first home-buyer properties are about to take off due to recent announcements from the federal government. Following of the from its election commitment, the Labor Party has announced an expansion of the first home buyers’ scheme – beginning this October. These changes see an expansion of the scheme and the removal of place limits on the scheme. Before these changes, some first home buyers found that Now, with Sydney price caps raised to $1.5m, the scheme is now relevant to many who want to buy in the Harbour City. In the decades I have been mortgage […] - [Home Guarantee Scheme Changes For First Home Buyers](https://originfinance.com.au/first-home-guarantee-scheme-2025/): Unlimited places, higher property price caps for first home buyers from 1 October 2025 Starting from 1 October 2025, the Australian Government will expand the Home Guarantee Scheme with significant changes to help more Australians buy their first home sooner. Here are the key updates: If you would like further information, contact your Origin Finance Broker , call 1300 30 67 67 or contact us here Full article from Housing Australia: These changes aim to make homeownership more accessible and affordable for Australians. Housing Australia welcomes the Australian Government’s expansion of the Home Guarantee Scheme (Scheme) with unlimited places and increased […] - [Is Covid still driving the property market?](https://originfinance.com.au/is-covid-still-driving-the-property-market/): By Graeme Salt Australians have coped with 4.25 per cent rate rises between 2022 and 2024 – which may indicate resilience of the household budget, the economy and the property market. Much of this is due to buffers built up during the pandemic according to new research. During 2020-2021, household savings shot up to around 20 per cent – providing substantial buffers for mortgage holders to draw upon when interest rates began rising. And, when interest rates started to increase, many Australians were able to meet their repayments thanks to their excess funds either paid into redraw or into their offset […] - [Rate cuts may not have immediate impact on the market](https://originfinance.com.au/rate-cuts-may-not-have-immediate-impact-on-the-market/): By Graeme Salt While this month’s rate cut has arguably stirred the property market, it may not create a property market frenzy of old. This may be good news for would-be home buyers. The market has certainly responded positively to the August rate cut, with the combined capital’s preliminary auction clearance rate rising to 75.0 per cent, 3.3 per centage points higher than the previous week. However, some economists have noted that even if interest rates decrease by another 50 basis points to 3.1 per cent, the cash rate would only be around neutral territory. Prior to the pandemic, the decade […] - [What is the price of your kid’s education?](https://originfinance.com.au/what-price-your-kids-education/): By Graeme Salt New analysis from Cotality reveals that families are paying up to $1.3 million more for houses inside sought-after public school catchments in Sydney and Melbourne – but that does not always equate to stronger capital growth. In many of our larger cities, parents choose to live within the catchments of good public schools to avoid paying private school fees.  This can often drive-up fees in these good school zones. The largest price gap was seen in Sydney’s leafy North Shore, where homes in the combined catchments of Killara High, Willoughby Girls and Lindfield Learning Village held a median […] - [Not all banks will lend to you](https://originfinance.com.au/not-all-banks-will-lend-to-you/): By Graeme Salt You’d be surprised at how Australians can come to banks with very different situations and how not all banks will look at every scenario. Differing employment situations, visas, savings positions mean that the days of a straight-forward PAYG loan where you just talked to your own bank have long gone and why it’s important to understand that good banks specialise is different scenarios. You may think were are all the same when it comes to mortgages.  But here are some examples of complex loans I am working on with clients – and where I have found a good […] - [How to get ahead with the mortgage](https://originfinance.com.au/rates-are-coming-down-for-many-its-a-chance-to-eat-into-the-mortgage/): By Graeme Salt The next move for rates is down and home-owners could shave over two years off a 25-year-mortgage if they keep their repayments the same as before the February and May interest rate cuts. Increasingly, Aussies are saving rather than spending extra cash with CBA figures this week showing only 10 per cent of eligible home-owners chose to cut their direct debit payment after the May cut in interest rates. A similar trend followed the February cut. National Australia Bank also says more than 90 per cent of borrowers kept repayments on hold. By maintaining home loan payments at […] - [With rate cuts, it’s a question of when, not if](https://originfinance.com.au/when-can-we-expect-a-rate-cut/): This month the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) surprisingly kept interest rates on hold, when economists were predicting a rate cut. But, at her subsequent press conference, Reserve Bank Governor (Michelle Bullock) made it clear that the next move for rates was down. Of the RBA committee that voted on rates, six members voted for a rate hold while three voted for a cut. The next RBA meeting is in August and a rate cut is looking even-more likely.  If we get a 0.25 percentage point cut, someone with a $600,000 mortgage will receive about $90 a month in savings. Rate […] - [How to Prepare Your Home for the Spring Selling Season in Australia](https://originfinance.com.au/spring-selling-season/): Spring is the busiest time for real estate sales in Australia, making it the perfect season to sell your home and upgrade to something better. The warmer weather and blooming gardens create an inviting atmosphere for potential buyers. Here are some essential tips to help you prepare your home for the spring selling season: 1. Enhance Curb Appeal First impressions matter, and the exterior of your home is the first thing buyers will see. Ensure your lawn is well-maintained, trim any overgrown bushes, and plant colourful flowers to create a welcoming entrance. A fresh coat of paint on the front door […] - [Aaron Hickey](https://originfinance.com.au/aaron-hickey/): Mortgage Broker Australia Wide Profile coming soon Linkedin Apply Now - [Jim Simos](https://originfinance.com.au/jim-simos/): Your Trusted Guide to Home Loan Success Australia Wide Penrith Basedjims@originfinance.com.au+61 422 405 847 With over 25 years experience in the finance industry, there isn’t a scenario that I have not seen. Whether its Standard Home buying, or something on the more difficult side of things, call me to discuss as I will be able to get you the most suitable deal Linkedin-in Facebook Instagram Apply Now - [Lambrina Karagaslis](https://originfinance.com.au/lambrina-karagaslis/): Mortgage Broker Australia Widelambrinak@originfinance.com.au+61 401058072 Lambrina brings a wealth of experience in the Commercial Property Space having spent years working for a major Real Estate Agent. Lambrina brings that experience into the general real estate market and can help clients across all sectors of the market Instagram Apply Now - [Jordan Soo](https://originfinance.com.au/jordan-soo/): Your Trusted Guide to Home Loan Success Australia Wide Penrith BasedJordans@originfinance.com.au+61 481 321 988 My mission is simple: to assist as many people as I can in reaching their property goals, whether it’s financial freedom or building a business. I’m committed to offering the same support and guidance that was offered to me, helping you create the life you desire through smart property investments. Instagram Apply Now - [Arthur Bouronikos](https://originfinance.com.au/arthur-bouronikos-2/): Service locations Melbourne Metro and beyond when necessary Australia Widearthurb@originfinance.com.au+61 413 393 146 An experience broker who goes the extra mile to find the best possible solution for all my clients. With a wealth of knowledge across all aspects of lending, give me a call and I am sure I will find the beast possible solution for you Linkedin-in Facebook Instagram Apply Now - [Dawn Kilkelly](https://originfinance.com.au/dawn-kilkelly/): Client Service Manager North Sydney, Hornsbydawnk@futurus.com.au+61 426 919 350 Dawn Kilkelly plays a key role in client management and broker support across the Futurus Group, including Origin Finance and Chan & Naylor Finance. With over 30 years of experience in the finance industry—20 of those with the Commonwealth Bank and another decade with Chan & Naylor Finance—Dawn brings deep expertise and a client-first approach to every interaction. Since earning her qualifications in Finance and Mortgage Broking Management in 2008, Dawn has been committed to delivering outstanding service to both clients and partners. Her strengths lie in communication, attention to detail, and […] - [Les Watkins](https://originfinance.com.au/les-watkins/): Senior Broker – Residential Newcastle/Sydney & Central – North Coastmortgagebroker64@gmail.com+61 418685629 Les Watkins is a highly experienced Mortgage Broker with over 25 years in the industry operating under his own Australian Credit License including a Diploma of Finance & Mortgage Broking Management, Certificate IV in Business & Financial Services, known for simplifying loan options for clients. He is accredited with more than forty lending institutions and has a strong background in Finance. As the owner of Australian Mortgage Wise since 1998, he specializes in home and investment loans, utilizing referrals and customer satisfaction for lead generation. His educational qualifications include multiple […] - [George Botsioulis](https://originfinance.com.au/george-botsioulis/): Mortgage and home loan broker Metropolitan Melbournegeorgeb@originfinance.com.au+61 422 008 983 I’m here to make the home loan process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Over the past year, I’ve helped clients with everything from buying their first home to refinancing and investing—always with a focus on clear advice, personalised service, and great outcomes. I take the time to understand your goals, explain your options in plain language, and support you through every step of the journey. If you’re looking for someone who’s approachable, responsive, and genuinely committed to helping you make smart financial decisions, I’d love to work with you. Apply […] - [Aleksandar Hrkalovic](https://originfinance.com.au/aleksandar-hrkalovic/): Mortgage and home loan broker Australia wide – 26A Station Street, Oakleigh, VIC 3166aleksh@originfinance.com.au+61 405 727 086 As your trusted mortgage broker, I’m committed to finding the right loan to suit your needs. I take a genuine, customer-first approach and you can expect a genuine experience built on honesty, integrity, and expert guidance.  I am passionate about assisting first-home buyers and dedicated to providing the latest information on government grants and incentives, ensuring you have the best opportunities to achieve your homeownership goals. In addition to home loans, I offer expertise in a wide range of finance solutions, including commercial loans, […] - [Heath Thompson](https://originfinance.com.au/heath-thompson-2/): Mortgage and home loan broker Brisbane & Northern Territoryheatht@originfinance.com.au+61 424062991 Heath has been a broker with Origin Finance since 2011 after a decorated career as a NSW Police Officer.  He has experience in providing advice for buyers and property owners Australia wide.  He is a proud supporter of Rugby in the Northern Territory. Heath also understands that your time is valuable so let him do your research and running around to find you most the appropriate loans available when it comes to your financial needs. Whether is it buying a new home, purchasing an investment property or re-financing, with Origin Finance, […] - [Graeme Salt](https://originfinance.com.au/graeme-salt/): Mortgage and home loan broker Sydney, Australiagraemes@originfinance.com.au+61 457755084 Graeme Salt is a mortgage consultant, living in inner Sydney. Graeme has extensive experience of buying and selling property – both for investment properties and owner-occupied loans. Consequently, he can work with you (and other professionals) at every stage of the important but stressful, property purchase process. Graeme has experience of running a small business.   Not only does he understand the challenges of family businesses and franchises, he also understands how this affects your ability to get a loan. If you live in Sydney’s inner west, Graeme is happy to meet you at your home, via […] - [Breakthrough in property prices](https://originfinance.com.au/breakthrough-in-property-prices/): By Graeme Salt For the first time ever the average dwelling price nationally eclipsed $1 million and these prices are likely to go much higher. Figures produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows major rises in property prices. Over the past five years, national average prices are 44.3 per cent ($307,800) higher with SA (85.2 per cent), Qld (80 per cent) and WA (74.4 per cent) experiencing the greatest increases. And while interest rates are reducing, these price rises are likely to continue. Research by the Sydney Morning Herald (below) shows that many vendors want sale prices as much as 10 per […] - [Doug Daniell](https://originfinance.com.au/doug-daniell/): Home Loan and Finance broker Sydney, Australiadougd@futurus.com.au 1300 306767 Mortgage & Finance Specialist Purchasing your first home, upgrading, or adding to your investment portfolio shouldn’t be complicated. With the right advice, financing property becomes simple and stress-free. Doug Daniell has been helping clients with property and finance since the late 1980s. Over three decades, he’s assisted thousands of home buyers and investors solve their real estate financing requirements. Many of his clients have progressed from saving for their first home to now owning multiple investment properties — a journey Doug has guided them through every step of the way. “Two of my […] - [CITI: Where Australia's apartment boom could unwind](https://originfinance.com.au/citi-where-australias-apartment-boom-could-unwind/): CITI: Where Australia’s apartment boom could unwind - [First Home Guarantee (FHBG) Benefits and Procedures - Supporting Eligible Home Buyers to Buy a Home Sooner](https://originfinance.com.au/first-home-loan-deposit-scheme-offered-through-25-new-lenders/): The First Home Guarantee (FHBG) is an Australian government initiative designed to support eligible first home buyers in purchasing a home sooner. Here are the benefits and procedures associated with the FHBG: Benefits of the First Home Guarantee (FHBG): Reduced Deposit Requirement: Eligible first home buyers can purchase a home with a deposit as low as 5% of the property value, without needing to pay for Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). Government Guarantee: The government guarantees up to 15% of the property value, allowing buyers to avoid the cost of LMI, which can be significant. Increased Accessibility: The scheme is designed to […] - [Ten real estate words only rich people will know](https://originfinance.com.au/ten-real-estate-words-only-rich-people-will-know/): Sept 3, 2015| Emily Power| Domain http://www.domain.com.au/news/ten-real-estate-words-only-rich-people-will-know-20150902-gj7jeg/ For the everyday property hunter, browsing through the luxury listings requires an Italian or French interpreter – or at least, a dictionary. These are the real estate, architecture and interiors words you’ll only ever read in a prestige home advertisement, and those with cash to splash will know and understand. Loggia Meaning:An exterior gallery or corridor, with an exposed side Mass market translation:Like an undercover patio, but nicer As seen in: 182 George Street, East Melbourne Porte-cochère Meaning: Carriage porch or coach gate Mass market translation:A car port As seen in: 53 Telegraph Road, Pymble  Cupola Meaning:A grand, rounded roof on […] - [The Herberts Become Property Moguls](https://originfinance.com.au/the-herberts-become-property-moguls/): Graeme went to a ‘Wealth Retreat’ recently, courtesy of our joint venture with Chan & Naylor. He has come back a revitalised man who is ready to conquer the World courtesy of his ambitions to become rich. Now, I am more than happy to have a bit of healthy competition with the rest of my pack. But when he starts involving kids in his Grand Plans I have major concerns. This weekend he decided to drag his kids, known as The Herberts, along to a property auction so he could bore them with talk about money and wealth. Apparently, he droned […] - [Generation Rent: Aussies who fear they’ll rent forever](https://originfinance.com.au/generation-rent-aussies-who-fear-theyll-rent-forever/): Kirsten Craze| Daily Telegraph| 27 September 2019 https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/generation-rent-aussies-who-fear-theyll-rent-forever/news-story/536bfb623c91856eb0416922617beced A growing number of Australians are becoming part of ‘Generation Rent’. Picture: Jason EdwardsSource:News Corp Australia Australia’s “generation rent” is a growing breed, but property and finance experts believe there is light at the end of the tenant tunnel for those who can think outside the box. More than a third of Australian renters feel homeownership is out of reach, according to a recent survey compiled by comparison site Finder. After analysing data from over 2000 people, Finder discovered that 34 per cent of renters said the great Australian dream seemed impossible. That […] - [Why you should try selling a home in a festively-named street at Christmas](https://originfinance.com.au/why-you-should-try-selling-a-home-in-a-festively-named-street-at-christmas/): Melissa Heagney| Domain| 4 December 2019 https://www.domain.com.au/news/why-you-should-try-selling-a-home-in-a-festively-named-street-at-christmas-914833/ People selling a house in a uniquely-named street name could add thousands of dollars to the sale price, new research shows. Academics from Deakin University, National University Singapore and the Chinese University of Hong Kong found that Sydneysiders had a preference for longer, one-word street names in their recent study, Street Name Fluency and Housing Prices. House buyers wanted unique street names, the research found, with houses in those streets reporting statistically higher sales prices – by 1.4 per cent or $9481. Deakin University Associate Professor of property and real estate Adrian Lee said […] - [Mortgage Companies](https://originfinance.com.au/mortgage-companies/): At Origin Finance we pride ourselves on providing you the best home loan solutions Excellent reputations aren’t built over night, and here at Origin Finance we pride ourselves on being one of the best mortgage companies in Australia for nearly a decade. For more than 9 years, we have worked diligently to provide our customers excellent customer satisfaction, a variety of home loan options, and quality home mortgage solutions. Choosing a home loan mortgage can be an arduous task and requires a level of knowledge that even the most astute consumer would be pressed to learn. With so many mortgage brokers on our […] - [Home Loan Application Process](https://originfinance.com.au/home-loan-application-process/): 1. Interview During the interview(s), we will discuss and help you to select the most appropriate products and home loan lenders that best suits your needs. Once the most appropriate lender and loan product has been selected, the loan application process begins. 2. Home Loan Application Process Takes 24-48 hours.Your loan application will be lodged with the lender within 24 hours of receipt of ALL required supporting documents. This includes the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) application where applicable. Please note – on some occasions the lender can not lodge the FHOG application on your behalf. Check with us for further details. […] - [Home Improvement Loans](https://originfinance.com.au/home-improvement-loans/): Home improvements have once again increased in popularity as people figure out that improving their existing home is a far more economical option to selling the old one and buying another one. After all, if you decide to sell your home, you have high agent’s fees eating into your profits and buying a new one means more stamp duty, moving costs and the hassle of shifting to a new home. The associated expenses of selling and buying means you may have lost any of the benefits you gained from moving in the first place. This is where home improvements can be […] - [Compare home loans and Mortgages](https://originfinance.com.au/compare-home-loans-and-mortgages/): Do you know how to compare home loans and mortgages online to find the best interest rates in Australia? With more than 100 home loan products available in Australia from almost 30 banks and lending institutions, it’s important to compare home loans against each other to determine the best rates, best costs and charges and even the best features of each loan. If you want to compare home loans online, you can easily find information on interest rates on the internet and compare them to rates offered by other banks. But are you comparing other account features and benefits that many […] - [Secure the Lowest Home Loan Interest Rate](https://originfinance.com.au/secure-the-lowest-home-loan-interest-rate/): If you want to get the lowest home loan rates in Australia, you’ll need to be a comparison shopper extraordinaire! Ironically, in order to be an extraordinary comparison shopper means you’ll need to institute some fairly simple methods to get the rate that is right for you. What do you bring to the table? Getting the lowest home loan interest rate begins with you. You can’t get “something for nothing” which means that if you don’t met the following criteria, finding a low interest home loan in Australia will be difficult: There are many factors within a loan that will contribute […] - [Reasons for a Home Loan Refinance](https://originfinance.com.au/reasons-for-a-home-loan-refinance/): Are you considering refinancing your home loan? Your current home loan might have been a great deal when you first got it, but banks are competitive, rates change and lending products evolve. Your home loan simply might not be working as hard for you as it could be. Even worse, your home loan could be costing you money. Perhaps it’s time to consider a mortgage check-up to see if yours is the best home loan to suit your situation. Why Refinance Your Home Loan? Most people refinance to access more flexible mortgage options or to switch to a lower interest rate […] - [Online home loans with bad credit](https://originfinance.com.au/online-home-loans-with-bad-credit/): Just because you have less than stellar credit doesn’t mean that you can’t find affordable online home loans. Help does exist for those who have blemishes on their credit but are dedicated to owning a home and putting their past history of poor credit behind them. Home lenders understand that things happen and past performance is not always an indication of an individual’s future. If you want the best home loan available for people with bad credit you have to do your homework first. Just as in the case of applying for any type of home loan you should: Gather your […] - [Lenders Mortgage Insurance?](https://originfinance.com.au/lenders-mortgage-insurance/): Mortgage insurance sounds like such a great idea – until you learn it’s there to protect the lender and not you. All of a sudden it becomes another huge, unnecessary fee you have to pay out for no return. Or is it? It’s not all bad news. Lender’s mortgage insurance is your bank’s way of allowing people with little or no deposit to enter the housing market sooner, instead of making you save and save for that seemingly-impossible 20% deposit. What is Lender’s Mortgage Insurance? Sometimes called “LMI”, banks and lenders use lender’s mortgage insurance when the amount of equity in […] - [Is an interest only mortgage right for you?](https://originfinance.com.au/is-an-interest-only-mortgage-right-for-you/): When considering whether or not to obtain an interest only mortgage you should have all of the facts. Although they are considered by some mortgage brokers to be risky and less desirable than other types of loans, being armed with the truth about interest only mortgages will help you formulate your own opinion. Just as with any other mortgage that is available, not every loan is right for every borrower, and this is certainly true for interest only mortgages. If you’re considering an interest only mortgage then it’s important that you have a plan. What is an interest only mortgage? Interest […] ## Pages - [Services](https://originfinance.com.au/services/): Our Services A mortgage or home loan quote can save you hours of your time and can potentially even save you thousands of dollars. When you request a mortgage quote you have the option of specifying what type of loan you’re seeking.You can narrow down your quote to include only those that have certain loan facilities and options. You can even request only quotes from banks willing to offer discounted interest rates. Home Loans Investments Commercial Loans Speak To A Broker Latest Expert News Read More Why Origin is better Why? The answer is simple… We’ll Help You Choose an Appropriate Loan for You!Mortgage […] - [Home Loans](https://originfinance.com.au/services/home-loans/): Home Loans Being a first time buyer, the staggering number of home loans available can be overwhelming. At Origin Finance, we put you first. We will help you to understand the types of loans available and choose the structure that will enable you to achieve your home ownership goals. Choosing the home loan that’s right for you Origin Finance makes it easier to buy your first home sooner, with our flexible home loan products. You can borrow up to 95% of the property value. We help to ensure you can afford the repayments and have funds to cover the transaction costs. […] - [Investing in Property](https://originfinance.com.au/services/investing-in-property/): Investing in Property Home loans for investment properties are vitally important financial tools that have the power to either help or hinder your investment growth. Most investors spend a lot of time and effort finding the right property to add to an investment portfolio. They research the profitability and they know how much rental income they’ll receive. They understand the concept of capital growth and they know they need to speak to an accountant about the best possible depreciation schedules they can find. Buying an investment property? Why don’t investors go to the same amount of effort and depth when researching […] - [Commercial Finance](https://originfinance.com.au/services/commercial-finance/): Commercial Finance Commercial Finance and mortgages offer business owners and investors a range of options that extend far beyond what a traditional residential mortgage can offer. Commercial lending is a specialised area of business banking, which means it’s not quite as simple as just applying for a regular loan. For this reason it’s important to liaise with a specialist who understands how to best represent your business proposal to the right lender to suit your needs. For businesses of all sizes Most people believe only really large corporations need commercial mortgages. Small businesses use commercial mortgages for a variety of business-related […] - [About](https://originfinance.com.au/about/): About Origin Finance Every day, Origin Finance helps Australians secure the right finance for their home or investment property. With over 25 years’ experience, we combine deep lending knowledge with strong industry relationships to match clients with the right loan at the right time. We work with a panel of 30+ lenders—including the Big Four, mid-tier banks, and broker-only specialists—so we can compare options across the market and narrow the field to solutions that best fit each client’s goals and circumstances. Our professional broker team supports clients end-to-end and stays across lender policy and pricing changes, so clients benefit from timely […] - [Careers](https://originfinance.com.au/about/careers/): Careers at Origin Finance Do you know what it takes to be successful in this industry? We do! And we can assist you to achieve your Mortgage Broking goals. Tailored mentoring programs We tailor our training and mentoring program to your individual needs. Going above and beyond the basic legal requirements, we provide you with a full portfolio of training materials, professional tools, templates, and coaching sessions to maximise your potential for success.
Our program is a comprehensive one. If you are new to the industry, we will help you grow your business. Armed with CRM systems, mail-outs, flyers and access to […] - [Calculators](https://originfinance.com.au/calculators/): How Much Can I Borrow? Mortgage calculators can remove much of the guess-work of applying for a mortgage. Playing around with your numbers on our calculators will help you gain an idea of how much you could borrow. This is a great starting point while you’re researching your home loan options. Loan repayment calculator Borrowing power calculator How long to repay calculator Property buying cost calculator Savings Goal Calculator Loan Repayment Calculator Borrowing power calculator How long to repay calculator Property buying cost calculator Savings Goal Calculator FAQ What can I use these calculators for? Our calculators are designed to give […] - [Mortgage Brokers](https://originfinance.com.au/mortgage-brokers/): Find A Mortgage Broker Meet our diverse team of expert mortgage brokers, based across Australia and fluent in a range of languages and specialties — so you can find the right broker for your needs, no matter your background or goals Search By State: All ACT NSW QLD VIC WA SA TAS NT Contact Us Once you’re ready to move forward, your dedicated mortgage broker will guide you through the entire process — from application to approval to settlement. And it doesn’t stop there. We’ll be here long after your loan is in place, ready to help with any questions, future […] - [Resources](https://originfinance.com.au/resources/): Resources, Blogs & News Explore our latest articles, guides, and calculators — everything you need to make informed decisions and take control of your home loan journey. Blog & News Our Guide to finding a Better Interest Rate Mortgage Calculators Latest Expert News From Our Brokers Search Search The Origin Guide to finding a Better Interest Rate Your current home loan might have been a great deal when you first got it, but banks are competitive, rates change and lending products evolve. Your home loan simply might not be working as hard for you as it could be. Even worse, your […] - [Apply](https://originfinance.com.au/apply/): Apply With Origin Ready to take the next step? Apply now and one of our expert local brokers will be in touch to guide you through your options and help you get the right loan for your needs. Contact Us First - [Contact](https://originfinance.com.au/contact/): Contact Us At Origin Finance we make finding the right loan as simple as possible. We can answer all your finance questions and give you a clear, easy to understand description of your personal home loan to business loan options. If you would like to provide a little extra detail please select Apply Now from the tabs above so that one of our Professional Mortgage Consultants can contact you with a mortgage quote for your particular situation or you can call us on: 1300 30 67 67. Facebook-f Linkedin-in - [Thank You](https://originfinance.com.au/thank-you/): Thanks! We’ll be in touch with you soon If you would like to provide a little extra detail please Apply Now so that one of our Professional Mortgage Consultants can contact you with a mortgage quote for your particular situation or you can call us on 1300 30 67 67. Go Home - [Feedback and Complaints](https://originfinance.com.au/complaints/): Feedback and Complaints At Origin Finance we aim to provide the very best service for our customers, therefore in the event that you are unhappy regarding any part of our service, we have an Internal Dispute Resolution process in place to assist in satisfying any complaint. We would hope you are completely delighted with our service, however in the event you have a complaint pleae contact us so we can help resolve your concerns. Our Customer service managers are senior personnel in our company and have the necessary experience and authority to handle your complaint and make relevant decisions on outcomes.  […] - [Privacy](https://originfinance.com.au/privacy/): Privacy Policy Respecting your privacy We respect your personal information, and this Privacy Policy explains how we handle it. The policy covers Origin Finance Pty Ltd. This Policy also includes our credit reporting policy, that is, it covers additional information on how we manage your personal information collected in connection with a credit application, or a credit facility.  We refer to this credit-related information below as credit information. If you are in a country that is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (‘GDPR’) governs the way we collect, use, hold, process and […] - [Home](https://originfinance.com.au/): Support to make sure you have the right financeWhether you’re buying your first home, refinancing, or building your property portfolio, our experienced brokers compare hundreds of options to find the loan that fits — and we make sure you understand the why behind every recommendation.About UsThe right broker makes all the differenceOur diverse team is based across Australia and fluent in multiple languages — so wherever you’re from, and whatever your goals, you’ll find someone who gets you, backs you, and works in your best interest every step of the way.Find a BrokerFinance to Build your Property PortfolioWhether you’re buying your […] ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/originfinance.com.au/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)