Results Home Loans
March 2025 Update
What’s been going on this month?
Stay current with Results Home Loans and any updates in the market
Rate Movements
As of 10 December 2024, RBA has decided to leave rates unchanged, keeping the Cash Rate at 4.35%.
RBA Cash Rate in March 2015 was 2.25%.
Westpac
Peak of 4.35% in November 2023, then dropping to 3.35% by December 2025
NAB
Peak of 4.35% in November 2023, then dropping to 3.10% by February 2026
CBA
Peak of 4.35% in November 2023, then dropping to 3.35% by December 2025
ANZ
Peak of 4.35% in November 2023, then dropping to 3.85% by August 2025
CURRENT INTEREST RATES FOR HOME OWNERS
Based on a $500,000 loan over a 30 year term at 80% LVR with Principal and Interest repayments.
CURRENT INTEREST RATES FOR INVESTORS
Based on a $500,000 loan over a 30 year term at 80% LVR with Interest Only repayments.
Lender Turnaround Times
As at 19/03/2025
1 Day
2 Days
3 + Days
Industry News
Lender Policy Changes Impacting Self-Employed Borrowers
Recent lender policy adjustments have made it more challenging for self-employed investors to secure financing. Many major banks now require full financials for the past two years, whereas previously, some would accept just one year’s documentation. Additionally, lenders are more conservative in assessing taxable income, often applying shading to declared earnings to account for potential fluctuations.
On the bright side, some lenders are introducing more flexible assessment criteria, particularly for borrowers with a strong repayment history and well-managed business cash flow. Specialist lenders are also offering alternative verification methods, such as BAS statements and accountant declarations, making it easier for self-employed investors to access finance without traditional full-doc requirements.
Navigating these policy changes requires strategic planning—working closely with a mortgage broker to explore all available options can make a significant difference in securing the right loan structure.
Major Changes to HECS Home Loan Rules
The federal government is making it easier for Australians with student debt to qualify for a home loan.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has instructed ASIC and APRA to update their guidance on how Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debts are treated by lenders. Currently, student debt is assessed like other liabilities, reducing borrowing power for first-home buyers—even though repayments are income-dependent and don’t apply below certain thresholds.
Chalmers said the changes will help “unlock more finance” and get more Australians into homes. APRA will consult on HELP’s role in debt reporting, while ASIC will adjust its guidance after consultation.
Industry Response
The Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) welcomed the move, calling it a key recommendation in its submission to last year’s Senate inquiry. CEO Anja Pannek said brokers had flagged HELP debt as a major hurdle for first-home buyers.
The Australian Banking Association (ABA) also supported the change, with CEO Anna Bligh stating that responsible updates to lending rules could help more people access credit.
However, Matt Turner, managing broker at GSC Finance Solutions, questioned whether this would truly address affordability. “By removing HELP from the servicing calculation, we ignore a real expense in people’s budgets. This just pushes up prices instead of tackling supply issues,” he said.
Boosting Apartment Construction
Chalmers also directed regulators to remove barriers to apartment construction financing, particularly around pre-sale requirements.
APRA’s 2017 guidance led some lenders to require 100% pre-sales before financing projects, limiting supply. The regulator has now clarified that while pre-sales are important, full pre-sale coverage is not mandatory.
Westpac CEO Anthony Miller and Property Council CEO Mike Zorbas welcomed the shift, saying it could help address Australia’s undersupply of apartments. “Apartment construction has halved since 2017–18. These changes strike the right balance,” Zorbas said.
Brokers Step Up as First Home Buyers Face Affordability Challenges
While affordability remains a challenge, first-home buyers have opportunities in the current market. Property prices are stabilizing, and government incentives continue to support new buyers. Many lenders are offering competitive interest rates and lower deposit requirements to attract first-time buyers.
The First Home Guarantee Scheme, which allows eligible buyers to purchase with as little as a 5% deposit without Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), remains a key advantage. However, lenders are tightening serviceability assessments, making it essential for buyers to demonstrate strong savings habits and stable employment.
For those looking to enter the market, working with a broker can make a significant difference. Brokers help buyers navigate lender policies, maximize available grants, and explore alternative strategies such as rentvesting and guarantor loans. Despite the affordability hurdles, proactive planning and expert guidance can help first-home buyers achieve their homeownership goals.
New Free Resources Available for our Clients!
At Results Home Loans, we’ve launched a Free Resources section on our website to help clients navigate the complexities of home loans and financial planning. These resources are designed to educate, empower, and support them throughout their journey.
Client Success Storys:
Pauline Arnott
What the Client Needed:
- A 68-year-old client currently renting and planning to continue renting.
- Wanted to purchase an investment property.
- Had low savings but intended to use funds from her superannuation for the purchase.
What We Did:
- Researched other lenders that would accept her scenario, considering her exit strategy of selling the property upon retirement.
Challenges:
Some lenders had concerns due to:
- Low asset position.
- Lack of a principal place of residence.
- Age, as she was already within the standard retirement range (67-70).
- Insufficient superannuation balance to meet certain lender requirements.
Results:
- Recommended MyState Bank, which accepted her scenario. Their packaged product was highly competitive, and the turnaround time was only two business days.
- The application successfully settled in the second week of March.
Tim & Natalie Wilson
What the Clients Needed:
- A couple purchasing their first home
- Wanted to buy land and build their home
- Wanted to maximize available First Home Buyer grants
What We Did:
- Challenges:
- The initial valuation report came in lower than expected. To address this, we ordered valuations from multiple lenders to explore better options.
- After discussions with their builder, the clients secured an agreement to lower the Contract of Sale price to align with BOM’s valuation.
- We submitted the home loan application to BOM together with the clients’ application for both First Home Owner’s Grant (FHOG) and First Home Buyer Guarantee (FHBG).
Results:
- The clients were successfully approved for both FHOG and FHBG.
- Their home loan settled in February.
- Client Feedback: “Extremely professional and supportive.
Nadia and the team worked tirelessly to support us through the complexities of securing our first home loan.
Nadia expressed a genuine desire and willingness to help us. Her ability to explain the intricacies and processes along the way, made it easy for us to understand what was required and when.
Nadia made herself available to us working around our schedules and often sending important emails late into the night.
We would not have secured our first home loan without Nadia and the team at results home loans.
We are beyond thankful for their knowledge, support and dedication.”
Thank You!
The value of a strong network and partnerships is priceless, and your referrals have not only brought us new opportunities but reinforced our confidence in delivering exceptional services.✨ We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks for your amazing support and collaboration. 🤝 Your trust in recommending us to your network means the world, and we're honored to have earned it. 🙏 We deeply appreciate your efforts with every referral, and we're here to return the favor anytime you need. If you ever need assistance or a reliable partner, don't hesitate to reach out! 💬