Rate updates, first home buyer guides, property finance tips and market insights from the team at Integrated Finance Group.
20 July 2026
Melbourne’s REIV clearance rate reached 70% for the week ending 18 July 2026 — 291 auctions reported, 203 confirmed sales — with Moonee Ponds delivering the top western Melbourne result at $1.92M. Nationally, the combined capitals posted 48.8% as Adelaide surged to 54% and Melbourne extended its three-week improvement streak. IFG director Brian Hermosilla breaks down what mid-winter’s 70% clearance means for buyers, investors and those watching the August RBA decision.
Read more →
17 July 2026
Financing 2, 5 or 10 business vehicles at once is a different challenge to buying one. IFG’s Brian Hermosilla — former NAB business banker with 45+ years combined experience — explains how Melbourne SMEs structure fleet finance, compare chattel mortgage to operating lease, and get multiple vehicles approved without derailing cash flow.
Read more →
17 July 2026
Coburg’s 2-bed homes sit at a $910K median—under Melbourne’s $950K First Home Guarantee cap—while 3-bed houses reach $1.17M. IFG’s local Coburg North brokers break down the 3058 market by bedroom count, every relevant government scheme, deposit requirements and investment fundamentals for buyers, investors and refinancers in 2026.
Read more →
16 July 2026
ATO debt — especially post-EOFY — doesn’t have to block your business lending. Former NAB banker Brian Hermosilla explains the bank vs non-bank divide, why the ATO’s 11.43% GIC now costs more than ever after the 1 July 2025 deductibility change, and the exact steps Melbourne SMEs should take to access finance in 2026.
Read more →
15 July 2026
Ascot Vale units have surged 15.05% to a $659,250 median — comfortably under the $950,000 First Home Guarantee cap — while houses hold at $1.33M. IFG’s Frank Marin breaks down the 3032 unit-vs-house divide, deposit pathways, the 0.83% vacancy investment case, the Ascot Vale Estate renewal, and the best loan options for buyers, investors and refinancers.
Read more →
14 July 2026
Rolling credit card, personal loan and car finance debt into your home loan could cut monthly outgoings by $1,200 or more — but only if the consolidated portion is structured correctly. Former NAB business banker Brian Hermosilla explains the split-loan technique most brokers skip, the equity you need, and the five scenarios where consolidation costs you more than it saves.
Read more →
13 July 2026
Melbourne's REIV clearance rate rebounded to 60.2% for the week ending 13 July 2026, with the Outer East leading at 72.3%. Nationally, the combined capital preliminary rate lifted to 54.8% — the strongest reading in seven weeks. IFG's mortgage brokers explain what this means for Melbourne buyers and investors right now.
Read more →
10 July 2026
Many car loans written in 2021-22 with balloon payments are now maturing in a rate environment that looks nothing like when you borrowed. Melbourne finance directors Brian and Frank explain every option, including what to do if your car is worth less than the balloon.
Read more →
10 July 2026
The RBA holds its next meeting on 10–11 August 2026 — and the outcome is far from certain. Three of the four big banks say hold at 4.35%, but Westpac is still tipping a hike and 55% of surveyed economists agree. IFG's Brian Hermosilla explains what Melbourne borrowers should do in the next four weeks.
Read more →
10 July 2026
A guarantor home loan lets Melbourne buyers enter the property market earlier — but the risks for parents are real. IFG breaks down the limited guarantee structure, the 2026 comparison with the First Home Guarantee, and when each option wins.
Read more →
10 July 2026
Used ute prices are down 12.6% year-on-year and falling faster than any other vehicle category. For Melbourne tradies and SMEs, the opening weeks of FY2027 are a genuine window to upgrade the work fleet — if you get the finance structure right.
Read more →
9 July 2026
Every business loan in Australia requires a directors’ guarantee — but most SME owners sign without reading the terms. Former NAB business banker Brian Hermosilla explains limited vs unlimited guarantees, joint and several liability, continuing security clauses, and the negotiation levers most brokers never raise.
Read more →
8 July 2026
Moonee Ponds is a tale of two markets in 2026: 3-bed houses median $1.38M while 1-bed units start near $416,000 — comfortably under the $950K First Home Guarantee cap. IFG's Brian Hermosilla breaks down REIV data by bedroom count, the 5% unit rental yield, the Moonee Valley Racecourse redevelopment, and the best loan pathways for buyers, investors and refinancers in 3039.
Read more →
7 July 2026
Interest-only repayments can free up $6,480/year in cash flow on a $600,000 investment loan — but APRA's new DTI rules and a 30–50% repayment jump at reversion make the structure riskier than ever. IFG's Brian Hermosilla explains IO periods by lender, qualification requirements, the 2026 DTI cap, and when IO beats P&I for Melbourne investors.
Read more →
6 July 2026
Melbourne cleared 54% at auction for the week ending 4 July 2026 — down from 72% last year — while Brisbane posted just 16%. IFG's Brian Hermosilla breaks down the state-by-state results and what the softening market means for buyers, sellers and investors across Melbourne's northern and western suburbs.
Read more →
3 July 2026
Electric vehicles just hit a record 20% of Australia's new car sales, and green car loans now price up to 1.50% below standard rates. IFG's Frank Marin compares green loans, used EV finance rules, chattel mortgages for business buyers and novated leases — so you pick the right structure before you pick the car.
Read more →
3 July 2026
Found your next home before selling your current one? IFG's Brian Hermosilla explains how bridging loans work in 2026 — peak debt vs end debt, the 20–30% equity lenders expect, capitalised interest, and when a longer settlement or equity release is the smarter move in Melbourne's winter buyer's market.
Read more →
2 July 2026
Nearly 4,900 construction businesses collapsed nationally last financial year. IFG's Brian Hermosilla explains Victoria's $300,000 Domestic Building Insurance cap, why it can fall short on a modern Melbourne build, and how a broker structures your progress payments to protect you if your builder goes under.
Read more →
2 July 2026
Settlement scam losses have more than tripled since 2021, with individual losses topping $700,000. IFG's Frank Marin explains how email fraud targets your loan payout at settlement and the exact verification steps that protect your money.
Read more →
2 July 2026
Melbourne's vacancy rate is a historically tight 1.6%, yet rents still trail every other capital city. IFG's Brian Hermosilla unpacks the anomaly, where yields are strongest across Melbourne's suburbs, and what it means for financing your next investment property.
Read more →
2 July 2026
Every rent cheque builds your landlord's equity, not yours. IFG's Frank Marin breaks down commercial property loan deposits and LVRs by property type, Victoria's new Commercial and Industrial Property Tax rules, and why SMSF ownership of your business premises is more relevant than ever after the residential LRBA ban.
Read more →
1 July 2026
Essendon's 3-bed house median has reached $1.3225M with a 70% clearance rate — well above the $950K First Home Guarantee cap — while units start from $346,100. IFG's Frank Marin breaks down which property type suits first home buyers, investors and refinancers in the 3040 postcode, and why a local broker matters in this mixed-stock suburb.
Read more →
30 June 2026
Most Melbourne borrowers pay $500–$1,500 to refinance on a variable rate — but fixed-rate break costs can reach $10,000–$30,000+. IFG breaks down every fee you'll face: discharge fees by lender, how break costs are calculated using the BBSR, Victorian government registration charges, and a break-even calculator to show whether switching is actually worth it for your loan.
Read more →
29 June 2026
The REIV recorded a Melbourne auction clearance rate of 65% the week ending 27 June 2026 — steady week-on-week but 23 points below the same week last year — while the national average held at 51.5%. IFG's Brian Hermosilla breaks down the REIV data, the Aberfeldie sale that topped Victoria at $4.675M, and what winter's buyer's market means for your next move.
Read more →
27 June 2026
ASIC's June 2026 report reviewed over 350,000 car loans and found establishment fees as high as $9,000 on a single $49,162 loan. Brian Hermosilla from IFG explains exactly what fees to watch for, how to read the comparison rate, why nearly half of defaulting borrowers fail in the first six months, and how using an ASIC-licensed broker protects you when arranging car finance in Australia.
Read more →
25 June 2026
Offset account or redraw facility — which feature saves you more on your home loan? IFG explains the key differences, how each works in practice, the considerations for property investors, and which option suits Melbourne borrowers best in the current rate environment.
Read more →
25 June 2026
Running a business in Melbourne and want to buy a home? The approval process is different for ABN holders — lenders assess income, trading history, business structure, and add-backs in ways most borrowers aren't told about. Brian Hermosilla from IFG breaks down all four lender tiers by ABN age, explains the open banking shift in 2026, and covers what sole traders, company directors, and trust beneficiaries each need to know before applying.
Read more →
24 June 2026
Keilor Park's median house price hit $917,000 in 2026 — up 7.85% year-on-year — and sits just under Melbourne's $950,000 First Home Guarantee cap. IFG breaks down the 3042 property market, every available government scheme, deposit scenarios, investment fundamentals, and why a local mortgage broker makes the difference in this tightly-held northwest suburb.
Read more →
23 June 2026
The government announced on 23 June 2026 that new SMSF residential LRBAs will be banned from 1 July 2027. IFG explains exactly what changed, what's protected, the practical deadline for Melbourne investors, and the one angle nobody else is covering: why the SMSF remains one of the most tax-efficient structures for residential property despite the ban.
Read more →
23 June 2026
Yes — your SMSF can buy residential investment property in Australia, but the sole purpose test, related-party rules, and the new Division 296 tax (effective 1 July 2026) all apply. IFG breaks down every rule in plain English, including the minimum fund balance required for the Melbourne market and the six steps to get started safely.
Read more →
22 June 2026
Melbourne recorded a 2026 year-low auction clearance rate of 55.9% on 20 June as the national average dropped to 48.5% — near pandemic-era lows. IFG breaks down the state-by-state data, explains which Melbourne regions are bucking the trend, and tells buyers what this buyer's market means for their next move.
Read more →
20 June 2026
From 1 July 2026, every Australian employer must pay super with every single payroll run — not quarterly. IFG breaks down the cash flow crunch, explains what ATO penalties look like if you miss a payment, and gives Melbourne business owners a six-step checklist to get compliant before the deadline.
Read more →
19 June 2026
Already own your Melbourne home? Your equity could fund your next investment property. IFG explains how usable equity works, what APRA's DTI rules mean for your borrowing power, and the steps to access equity without cross-collateralising your properties.
Read more →
19 June 2026
Same monthly repayments, same lender — but the wrong finance structure can cost your business thousands in missed tax deductions. IFG explains the key differences between chattel mortgage, finance lease, and hire purchase, including which structures qualify for the $20,000 instant asset write-off before 30 June 2026.
Read more →
18 June 2026
Most lenders want 2 years of self-employment history — but some non-bank lenders will approve Melbourne borrowers with just 12 months, and occasionally 6. IFG breaks down the ABN duration tiers, deposit requirements, how lenders calculate self-employed income, and what to do when your tax return doesn't reflect your real earnings.
Read more →
17 June 2026
Essendon units are yielding 4.69%, Moonee Ponds units 4.86%, and Keilor 3-bed homes sit at a $945,000 median with an 88% clearance rate. IFG breaks down the capital growth vs cash flow picture across Melbourne's northwest, plus finance options for investors including SMSF borrowing and equity release strategies.
Read more →
17 June 2026
Keilor Downs 3-bed homes have a median of $790,250 — under the $950,000 First Home Guarantee cap — while 4-bed homes sit at $940,000 with a 92% clearance rate. IFG breaks down deposit options, scheme eligibility, refinancing strategies, and investment fundamentals for the 3038 postcode in 2026.
Read more →
17 June 2026
The RBA held the cash rate at 4.35% at its June 2026 meeting, pausing after three consecutive hikes earlier in the year. IFG explains what's driving the hold, what CBA, ANZ, NAB and Westpac are forecasting for the next 6–12 months, and the six steps Melbourne borrowers should take right now to protect their position.
Read more →
16 June 2026
In Melbourne in 2026, you may need as little as 2–5% deposit — not the 20% most buyers assume. The First Home Guarantee now has no income caps and unlimited places, with a $950,000 property price cap for Melbourne and Geelong. IFG breaks down every deposit pathway including Help to Buy, guarantor loans, genuine savings rules and the true upfront cost including stamp duty.
Read more →
15 June 2026
Melbourne's clearance rate rebounded to 60.1% from 921 auctions this weekend — 2.5 percentage points above the previous week and well ahead of the 49.8% national average. The west and north remain buyer-friendly at 50.7% and 45.6% respectively. IFG breaks down the state-by-state data and what it means ahead of Tuesday's RBA decision.
Read more →
12 June 2026
The EV FBT exemption removes all Fringe Benefits Tax on eligible battery electric vehicles through a novated lease — saving Melbourne employees $12,000–$25,000 over three years. IFG explains which cars qualify, what changed for PHEVs, the EOFY timing advantage, and the traps to avoid before you sign.
Read more →
11 June 2026
Government-backed SME loan guarantee schemes reduce lender risk so small businesses can access finance faster and at better rates. IFG explains how these programs work, who qualifies, what documents you need, and how a Melbourne finance broker can help you navigate the application process.
Read more →
10 June 2026
Keilor 3-bed homes have a median of $945,000 — just $5,000 under the First Home Guarantee cap. IFG breaks down scheme eligibility, deposit requirements, stamp duty costs, and why Keilor's 88% clearance rate makes it one of Melbourne's most competitive owner-occupier markets in 2026.
Read more →
9 June 2026
Stamp duty on a $900,000 Melbourne home can exceed $49,000 — yet eligible first home buyers pay $0 on purchases up to $600,000. IFG explains Victorian land transfer duty rates, the first home buyer exemption, off-the-plan concessions, and how to factor these costs into your deposit strategy.
Read more →
8 June 2026
Melbourne’s auction clearance rate held near 59.4% from 1,221 auctions heading into the June 7–8 weekend, while the national average tests the 50% mark — well below last year’s 65%+. Three consecutive RBA rises and the Budget’s negative gearing changes are reshaping who can buy and what they can pay. IFG breaks down the state-by-state data and what it means for Melbourne buyers, investors and refinancers ahead of the June 16 RBA decision.
Read more →
5 June 2026
Building in Melbourne? A construction loan works very differently to a standard home purchase — funds are released in five stages directly to your builder as the build progresses. IFG explains progressive drawdown, what lenders require, how first home buyers can build with a 5% deposit, and the stamp duty savings most people miss.
Read more →
5 June 2026
The $20,000 instant asset write-off has just been made permanent in the 2026-27 Federal Budget — but to claim it this financial year, your vehicle or equipment must be installed and ready for use by 30 June 2026. IFG explains how chattel mortgage works, the EOFY deadlines, and what to do before time runs out. Always speak to your accountant first.
Read more →
5 June 2026
Buying investment property through your self-managed super fund can cut your rental income tax to 15% and CGT to 10% — but the rules around LRBAs, related parties, and fund balance requirements are strict. IFG explains exactly how SMSF property loans work in 2026 and whether the strategy suits your situation.
Read more →
4 June 2026
If you're self-employed and your tax return doesn't reflect your real income, an alt-doc (alternative documentation) loan may be the right path. IFG explains how open banking has modernised income verification, what evidence lenders still require under responsible lending obligations, and who qualifies in 2026.
Read more →
3 June 2026
Taylors Lakes 3-bed homes have a median of $865,000 — but the suburb's overall median (~$960k) sits just above the First Home Guarantee cap. IFG breaks down exactly which properties qualify for government schemes, what deposit you actually need, and why refinancing in Taylors Lakes is one of the highest-value moves Melbourne homeowners can make right now.
Read more →
2 June 2026
LMI can silently add $15,000–$30,000 to your Melbourne home purchase — and most buyers don’t realise they could avoid it entirely. IFG explains 5 strategies to sidestep LMI in 2026, from the First Home Guarantee to family guarantees and professional waivers.
Read more →
1 June 2026
Existing borrowers pay an average of 0.5% more than new customers on like-for-like home loans. Find out what the loyalty tax is costing you, whether you're a mortgage prisoner, and the three ways to escape — including a step that costs nothing.
Read more →
1 June 2026
The national auction clearance rate fell to 51.0% the weekend of 31 May–1 June 2026 — well below the 65.3% recorded the same weekend last year. Melbourne held at 59.4% from 1,221 auctions, while Sydney eased to 60.3%. Three consecutive RBA rate rises are suppressing buyer confidence. IFG breaks down what the data means for Melbourne buyers, investors and those thinking of refinancing.
Read more →
30 May 2026
Since 1 October 2025, the First Home Guarantee has no income caps, unlimited places, and a raised property price cap of $950,000 for Melbourne and Geelong. Find out exactly who qualifies, how it compares to Help to Buy, and how to use it to buy with just a 5% deposit — no LMI.
Read more →
28 May 2026
Keilor East median house prices hit $1,067,500 — up 6.1% year-on-year — and the Melbourne Airport Rail is set to deliver a brand-new station in the suburb. IFG breaks down what's driving Keilor East's growth, the best loan options for first home buyers, investors and refinancers, and why a local broker gives you the edge in this competitive market.
Read more →
26 May 2026
With the RBA cash rate at 4.35% and APRA's 3% serviceability buffer still in place, lenders are stress-testing your mortgage at nearly 9.5%. IFG breaks down borrowing capacity by income level, explains HECS impacts, and shows you how to maximise what you can borrow.
Read more →
26 May 2026
Refinancing activity across Victoria has surged 28% in 2026. IFG explains how much you could save, what refinancing actually costs, and walks you through the step-by-step process from rate check to settlement.
Read more →
21 May 2026
Chattel mortgage, finance lease, or hire purchase? We explain the main types of equipment finance available to Australian small businesses, the tax advantages, and how a broker gets you better rates than going direct to your bank.
Read more →
20 May 2026
The May 2026 Federal Budget introduced major changes to first home buyer schemes, negative gearing and CGT rules. Melbourne mortgage broker IFG breaks down exactly what changed and what every borrower should do next.
Read more →
19 May 2026
With the RBA lifting rates again, Melbourne borrowers are asking whether to fix, stay variable, or split. We break down the numbers, the risks, and what makes sense right now.
Read more →
12 May 2026
The RBA has increased the official cash rate again in May 2026. We break down what this means for your mortgage repayments, borrowing capacity, and what borrowers should focus on during a rising rate cycle.
Read more →
8 May 2026
The 2026 Federal Budget announced changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount. We explain what changed, what stayed the same, and how Melbourne property investors should respond.
Read more →
24 April 2026
From underestimating stamp duty to skipping pre-approval, we've seen every mistake in the book. Here are the seven most common — and what to do instead.
Read more →