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Loyalty is an honourable trait, but not necessarily when it comes to your home loan.

Sticking with the same lender indefinitely may mean you’re paying what’s known as a ‘loyalty tax’. This often shows up as higher interest rates compared to what new customers are offered.

With interest rates on the rise, now could be a good time to check whether you are paying loyalty tax and it may be worthwhile exploring your options along the way.

What is loyalty tax?

Loyalty tax refers to the extra cost some borrowers pay simply by staying with the same home loan provider over time.

To attract new customers, lenders often advertise lower interest rates or special offers that aren’t automatically passed on to existing borrowers. As a result, long-term customers can end up paying a higher rate without realising it.

In some cases, the longer you remain with one lender, the more a loyalty tax can creep in.

That’s why reviewing your home loan from time to time can help ensure you’re still on a competitive rate.

Interest rates aren’t the only area where loyalty tax can apply. In some cases, long-standing customers may miss out on special offers, encounter additional fees, or receive a lower standard of customer service than new customers.

Why it pays to review your home loan

Whether it’s your utilities or your mortgage, comparing providers can help you identify areas to save.

While the amounts may seem small at first, they can accumulate over time and contribute to broader financial goals.

What to do if you’re paying loyalty tax

Compare rates

Start by checking how your current interest rate compares with the rates your lender is advertising to new customers.

If there’s a noticeable difference, it may be time to take action.

Request a lower rate

You may also consider negotiating directly with your lender to see if a more competitive rate is available.

In some cases, lenders may apply a discretionary discount to retain existing customers.

Having a strong credit history and a lower loan-to-value ratio can help strengthen your negotiating position.

Shop around and refinance

If you’d like to see what else is out there, we can compare home loans across the market for you.

If we find a more suitable or competitive option, refinancing could be worth a look and it may even give you access to new customer offers.

Ready to say goodbye to loyalty tax?

When it comes to home loans, it doesn’t pay to set and forget. Regularly reviewing your mortgage and comparing options can help reduce the risk of paying a loyalty tax.

The good news is that refinancing is generally more straightforward than buying a property.

There’s no contract of sale, no real estate agents, and often far fewer parties involved – just us and, in many cases, your lender.

To get started, get in touch today and we’ll help you run the numbers.

If you’re looking to buy your first home in 2026, one of the first big questions is whether an apartment or a house makes more sense for you, which often comes down to your lifestyle, financial situation and what you’re working towards.

Each option comes with its own benefits and trade-offs, so understanding the differences can help you make a more confident decision.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.

Apartments

Pros

• Lower price tag
  Buying an apartment may allow you to get into the market sooner, as apartments are usually more affordable than houses. Take Sydney, for example, where the median house price is more than double the city’s median unit price. A lower purchase price usually means a smaller deposit and a more manageable mortgage.
• Capital growth potential and rental appeal
  Historically, houses have outperformed apartments in capital growth across most Australian cities. However, recent data shows that apartment prices have been growing faster than house prices in most capital cities – although Melbourne buyers are not quite convinced. If you decide to rent the property out in future, apartments can possibly offer an attractive rental yield in some areas.
• Lower running costs
  Living in a smaller property means less electricity and gas usage, and therefore lower utility costs.
• Less maintenance
  Apartment living often comes with less maintenance and common areas are typically looked after by strata management. This means you’re less likely to spend weekends mowing lawns or tending gardens.
• Security and lifestyle appeal
  In some cases, apartments may provide added security compared to suburban houses, particularly in complexes with controlled access. They’re also frequently positioned in central or well-connected locations, close to cafés and other everyday amenities.

Cons

• Strata or body corporate constraints
  Apartment living often comes with strata or body corporate rules, such as limits on pets, renovations, or noise. While these help manage shared spaces, they may feel restrictive for some owners.
• Costly fees
  Depending on the amenities, strata fees can be costly and are an ongoing expense. Over time, these fees can add to the overall cost of apartment ownership.
• Less space and privacy
  Living in a smaller space is not for everyone. Common areas can also mean sacrificing your privacy, as you’ll be sharing these areas with neighbours.
• Oversupply risk
  In suburbs with a high number of apartments, oversupply can affect demand and resale value. Boutique complexes with fewer units may perform better than large high-rise developments.

Houses

Pros

• Long-term capital growth potential
  Houses have traditionally delivered stronger long-term capital growth, largely due to the value of the land. That said, apartments in some cities have recently recorded faster short-term growth.
• No strata constraints or fees
  Unlike apartments, houses don’t come with strata fees or body corporate rules. This generally gives owners more freedom to renovate, extend, or personalise their home.
• More space and privacy
  Houses typically offer more internal and outdoor space, along with greater privacy. This can be appealing if you value room to entertain, garden, or enjoy facilities like a pool without interruption.

Cons

• Higher entry point
  Houses generally come with a higher purchase price and require a larger deposit. For some buyers, this may mean looking further from the CBD or their workplace to stay within budget.
• More maintenance
  With more space comes more upkeep. Houses typically require ongoing maintenance, and older properties can involve higher repair and renovation costs over time.
• Higher costs
  A higher purchase price can also mean higher upfront costs, such as stamp duty. Ongoing expenses like insurance and general upkeep may also be higher compared to an apartment.

Ready to get started?

There’s no universal ‘right’ answer as to whether an apartment or house is better. It all depends on your budget, lifestyle and long-term goals.

If you’d like help understanding your borrowing capacity or talking through your purchase plans, get in touch today. We can review your finances and help you assess which type of property may be the best fit for you.

For many property investors, 2025 offered compelling reasons to buy.

The cash rate came down three times and property prices soared in many markets, driven by lower rates, tight housing supply and government incentives. Meanwhile, rents continued to climb across much of the country.

So, following February’s cash rate increase, what might investors expect next? Below we explore key investment property trends likely to shape the market in 2026.

Uneven price growth across markets

National home values are projected to continue to rise, but growth is unlikely to be evenly spread.

Insights from Cotality’s Decoding 2026 report show that 87% of real estate agents and financial professionals across the property and finance sectors expect dwelling values to rise over the year ahead, while only 3.5% anticipate prices to fall.

Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia are considered the most bullish markets, with strong price performance supported by high population growth and limited supply.

Looking ahead, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane are expected to outperform Sydney and Melbourne, where price momentum softened towards the end of 2025.

Increased demand for dual-occupancy properties

Properties that can accommodate multi-generational living are expected to be in high demand throughout 2026.

As both housing prices and rents rise, more families are choosing to live together, making dual-occupancy homes particularly attractive to investors. This includes properties such as a main residence with a granny flat, duplexes, side-by-side townhouses, or homes with a detached studio or cottage that functions as a second dwelling.

These types of properties can offer investment benefits, including higher rental income, greater flexibility and reduced risk.

An uptick in regional investing

Investors seeking value outside the capital cities may have regional areas on their radar in 2026.

Regional markets often offer lower entry costs than capital cities, high rental yields, and the opportunity for investors to diversify their portfolios across geographic locations.

In terms of price growth, regional areas have remained comparatively strong, yet they’re still feeling some pressure. Flexible working arrangements and lifestyle migration has meant more people are thinking of moving to regional areas, increasing demand for housing.

In 2025, regional dwelling values rose 9.7%, compared to 8.2% across the combined capital cities. Western Australia stood out, with a 16.1% annual increase, followed by regional Queensland, which saw values rise 12.6%. Regional Victoria had the lowest growth, up 6% in 2025.

Energy efficiency a priority

Energy efficiency and climate resilience are becoming increasingly important considerations for investors.

Properties with features such as solar panels, battery storage, electric vehicle charging, quality insulation and smart energy management systems are expected to be more appealing to tenants in 2026, which in turn can enhance long-term investment appeal.

Young buyers looking to rentvest

Rentvesting is expected to gain further momentum in 2026, particularly among younger buyers navigating affordability challenges.

Rentvesting involves renting in a location that suits your lifestyle, while purchasing an investment property in a more affordable area with the potential for solid rental returns.

This approach can suit buyers who value flexibility and lifestyle, are priced out of their preferred suburb, but still want to build wealth through property ownership.

Thinking about investing?

With the right knowledge and support, property investors can navigate 2026’s property market with confidence and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

If you’re considering purchasing an investment property this year, get in touch. We can help you understand your borrowing capacity, compare lender options and structure your finance to support your long-term investment goals.

Nothing compares to that feeling of buying your first home. If you’re planning a 2026 property purchase, saving the deposit is often one of the biggest hurdles. Careful planning and perseverance can play a role in working towards this goal.

Here are some tips to help you work towards your savings target.

Set a savings goal

The first step is to work out how much you’ll need for your deposit. Check out what properties in your preferred suburbs are selling for, and from there, you can work backwards and estimate the amount of deposit you’ll require.

You may like to look into the Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme, which allows eligible first-home buyers to enter the market with just 5% deposit. If you’re not planning to use the scheme, aiming for a 20% deposit may help you avoid lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI).

Create a budget

Next, create a monthly budget. This can help you to understand how much you may be able to save.

Factor in your total monthly income after tax, then list all of your expenses. Don’t forget to include regular costs like rent, utility bills, insurance, and streaming services, as well as unexpected expenses like your car repairs.

There are loads of budgeting tools available to help with tracking expenses. Some apps even break down and track your expenses as well as provide suggestions to help you work towards your saving goals.

Automate your savings payments

If you don’t have a separate savings account yet, opening one may be a useful first step – for example, an account that offers interest and has low or no ongoing fees.

Setting up an automatic monthly transfer may help you build savings over time, with less day-to-day effort.

A strong savings track record is something lenders look for when assessing home loan applications, so this habit may be relevant when you’re preparing to buy.

Reduce spending

If you’re looking to make progress towards your savings goals, you may need to cut down on discretionary spending. That might mean saying goodbye to your gym membership and instead exercising outdoors. Joining the local library instead of buying books new. Or cutting down on meals out and limiting entertainment such as streaming services.

There are also ‘no spend challenges’ shared on social media, such as limiting clothing purchases for a period of time or reducing how often you eat out. Some people find these approaches to be helpful when reviewing their spending habits.

Ways to increase income

Some people consider ways to generate additional income when working towards a savings goal. This might include options such as tutoring, taking on additional hours at work, or exploring a side project.

You may also choose to review items you no longer use, such as sporting equipment, musical instruments or collectibles, and consider whether selling them aligns with your circumstances. Small amounts can contribute towards a savings goal over time.

Talk openly about your goals

Talking to your family and friends about your home buying goals can be helpful for some people in staying mindful of their plans. Social catch ups might look a little different in 2026, such as more dinners at home with friends rather than going out. Over time, these adjustments may support your savings efforts.

Being prepared

Buying your first home is exciting, and we’re here to provide information and support throughout the process.

As your finance broker, we can help you understand how much you may be able to borrow, explain the costs involved in buying a home (such as stamp duty and legal fees), and discuss finance options including pre-approval.

We can also explain whether you’re eligible for government incentives, such as the First Home Owner Grant or the First Home Super Saver Scheme. And if your deposit isn’t quite there yet, we can talk through what alternative options could be available to you.

Get in touch if you’d like to discuss your options.