Spring has sprung, which means we're now in the midst of the busiest season in the property calendar. Here's what's making headlines:
How to buy in the spring market
Offset account balances rise 13.7%
Housing affordability improves
How credit cards affect home loans
Read more below.
Spring is traditionally the busiest season of the year for property sales, and this year is shaping up accordingly, with SQM Research reporting a 14.4% month-on-month increase in the number of new listings in August. The number of homes for sale typically rises in spring as sellers look to take advantage of warmer weather and stronger buyer demand.
While the increased choice can benefit buyers, the competition can also be fierce. Sellers often receive multiple offers, which means buyers need to be well prepared if they want to secure their preferred home.
Here are some steps that can help you succeed in the spring market:
Arrange pre-approval. This shows sellers you are a serious buyer and lets you act quickly when you find the right property.
Define your budget. Know your maximum price and stick to it to avoid overbidding in competitive situations.
Research the market. Attend open homes, review recent sales and understand local price trends.
Act decisively. Good properties sell fast in spring, so be ready to make strong offers.
Contact me if you’d like help arranging pre-approval or understanding how much you can afford to spend this spring.
Let’s chat about getting a home loan pre-approval
Borrowers are making greater use of their offset accounts and paying less interest as a result, based on the latest data from Australia's banking regulator, APRA.
The total funds held by offset accounts in the June 2025 quarter was 13.7% higher than June 2024. Furthermore, offset balances represented 11.2% of all mortgage-related funds (outstanding home loans plus redrawable amounts) in June 2025, compared to 10.4% in June 2024.
Offset accounts are everyday transaction accounts that are linked to your mortgage and that reduce the amount of your home loan on which interest is charged. For example, if you have $600,000 remaining on your home loan and $40,000 in your offset account, you’ll be charged interest on only $560,000. Over time, this can make a significant difference to how much interest you pay and how quickly you can pay off your home loan.
However, offset accounts also have several disadvantages. Home loans with offset features may come with higher interest rates or fees. Also, because offset savings are so easy to access, you may find it hard to resist the temptation to do so – thereby reducing the benefit of having an offset account.
Housing affordability has improved for the second consecutive quarter, after hitting a record low at the end of 2024.
The average loan repayment in the June quarter was 47.7% of the median family income, down 0.3 percentage points from the March quarter and 0.5 percentage points from June 2024, according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia.
Affordability improved on a quarter-by-quarter basis in every state and territory except Western Australia. Rental affordability also improved slightly, falling 0.1 percentage points to 24.4% of median income.
One way for first home buyers to take advantage of these improving conditions is to use the federal government’s expanded Home Guarantee Scheme. From 1 October 2025, all first home buyers have the chance to enter the market with just a 5% deposit and without having to pay lenders' mortgage insurance. The property price caps will be increased, while the income caps will be removed.
Contact me if you’d like to explore whether you qualify for the Home Guarantee Scheme and how it could help you enter the market sooner.
Want to enter the market? I can help
Consumers are reducing their credit card use, which may benefit them when they next apply for a home loan.
The number of personal credit cards in circulation fell by about a quarter of a million between July 2024 and July 2025, from 14.98 million to 14.73 million, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia. Over the same period, the amount of credit card debt accruing interest fell 0.4%.
Lenders consider all forms of credit when assessing home loan applications, and credit cards are no exception. Even if you pay off all your debt each month, the credit limits on your cards are factored into your application because lenders assume you could use that available credit at any time. This can reduce your borrowing capacity, as lenders need to be confident you can service all potential debts.
Carrying a high balance can also work against you. Not only does it add to your existing liabilities, which affects how much you can borrow, but it can also lower your credit score – especially if you are regularly close to your limit or only making minimum repayments. A lower credit score can make it harder to qualify for a home loan or secure a competitive interest rate.
Planning to buy a property during the busy spring market? Then please contact me as your first step, so I can secure a home loan pre-approval for you and give you certainty around your budget.