Each week, we scan major outlets for the biggest stories in property, interest rates, regulation and the economy. Expect a clear, no-nonsense recap, context you can trust, and what it may mean for households across the country. Designed for time-poor Australians, it keeps you across market moves, RBA decisions and practical shifts that could impact your budget — all in under ten minutes.
This Week:
This week: investor tax changes from 12 May are expected to cool demand; auctions soften with Sydneys clearance rate around 54% for the week to 23 May; unemployment rose to 4.5% in April, reducing odds of another RBA hike on 15–16 June; and banks lift savings rates after the May cash‑rate move, keeping mortgage rates sticky. Takeaways: review valuations, request a rate review, compare refinance options, and prepare documents to strengthen applications.
Hello and welcome to Mortgage Refinance Weekly Podcast, Im Paige Estritori, and its Sunday, 24 May 2026.
First up, investor tax changes are starting to bite. From 7:30 pm on 12 May, negative gearing for existing-property purchases was wound back, while broader capital gains tax settings are set to tighten next year. Analysts now expect investor demand to cool, which can ease competition at open homes and slow price growth in some suburbs. If youre an owner‑occupier, use this window to review your loan: check your equity position, run an eligibility check, and compare rates so youre not paying a loyalty premium.
Meanwhile, the auction market looks softer. Sydneys preliminary clearance rate for the week ending 23 May was about 54%, and recent capital‑city results have hovered in the 40s to high‑50s. That shift gives buyers more negotiating power and can nudge bank valuations. If youre refinancing, organise a quick valuation sense‑check and ask your broker to benchmark your rate across lenders so you keep repayments in control.
On the economy, the unemployment rate rose to 4.5% in April, published this week. That points to a cooling jobs market, even as hours worked nudged higher. Markets now see only a small chance of another rate rise at the Reserve Bank of Australias 15–16 June meeting. For borrowers, serviceability tests remain tight, so tidy up statements, reduce unused credit limits if appropriate, and get your paperwork ready to speed things up.
And banks have been lifting deposit rates after the May cash‑rate hike. Savings and at‑call accounts are now commonly offering around five per cent when conditions are met. That keeps funding costs elevated and means variable mortgage rates can remain sticky. Dont wait for your lender to tap you on the shoulder—request a rate review, compare options, and consider whether features like an offset account could trim interest over time.
Thats it for this week. For free eligibility checks, loan comparisons and expert broker support, head to mortgage-refinance.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening and talk to you next Sunday.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
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Knowledgebase
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) Cap: A limit on how much the interest rate or the payment can change for an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage.
