Real Estate Your Way

23/12/2025

Buying vs leasing at Christmas: what’s right for your next big asset purchase?

Need a new truck, van or work ute before the year ends? December is a great time to secure deals, but how you fund it matters. Here’s a quick guide:

Buying gives you long-term ownership - You’ll own the asset outright once the loan is paid, with no restrictions on usage or modifications.

Leasing preserves cash flow - Leases often have lower upfront costs, freeing up working capital during a season when cash flow can get tight.

Asset finance may unlock tax benefits - Chattel mortgages and other finance structures could allow for depreciation claims and GST benefits (check with your accountant).

Run-out models are ready now - Buying or leasing a current-year model before 31 December could mean bigger discounts and faster delivery.

Lender and supplier closures are looming - Act now to avoid delays. Many brokers and lenders operate on reduced hours from mid-December.

The right option depends on your business goals, cash flow, and usage plans. Talk to a finance broker before the break to compare your options.

21/12/2025

Should you consolidate your debts before the New Year?

As the year wraps up and holiday bills start piling up, many Australians begin reassessing their finances.

Debt consolidation isn’t the right option for everyone, but for some, reviewing multiple debts before January can create welcome breathing room. Here are a few factors to consider.

It can simplify your repayments - If you’re juggling credit cards, personal loans, buy now pay later balances or store cards, rolling everything into a single repayment can make it easier to stay organised.

It may help manage your cash flow - A consolidated loan with a structured schedule might help create more predictability. This can be especially helpful over the holiday period when expenses tend to rise.

It could reduce what you pay, depending on the loan - A new loan may offer a different interest rate or structure. However, it’s important to consider the full cost of the loan, including fees, and whether extending the term would mean paying more over time.

If you’re thinking about consolidating, consider speaking with a finance broker who can help compare your options and assess what’s appropriate for your situation.

18/12/2025

🎄✨ Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! ✨🎄

From all of us at Real Estate Your Way, we wish you a joyful holiday season filled with laughter, love, and memorable moments. We look forward to helping you achieve your real estate dreams in 2026! 🏡💫

16/12/2025

Should you use your bonus for a house deposit or a holiday?

You’ve worked hard all year, and now there’s a Christmas bonus, or a year-end windfall, burning a hole in your pocket.

Before you book those flights or splash out on something big, here are a few things to consider:

A bonus could boost your deposit - Even a few thousand dollars can make a real difference. It might help you reach the 5% deposit needed for first home schemes or push you closer to avoiding LMI.

You could shorten your savings timeline - A lump sum now could cut months (or years) off the time it takes to get loan-ready, especially if you're budgeting or rentvesting.

A broker can show you what’s possible - Not sure if your bonus makes a difference? A mortgage broker can help you compare your options.

14/12/2025

The hidden risks of waiting until January for finance approval

Thinking of holding off on equipment or business finance until the new year? Here’s why waiting might cost you more than you think:

Lender backlogs stack up - January often brings a flood of new applications, and limited staff. That means slower processing times just when you want to move fast.

You’ll miss stock opportunities - Many suppliers clear inventory in December. Wait until January and you may be facing longer lead times, higher prices, or no stock at all.

Lost revenue from delayed upgrades - Every week without the gear you need is lost productivity. Getting finance sorted now means you can start 2026 with the tools to grow.

Supplier shutdowns cause delays - Many dealerships and lenders close or operate on skeleton crews during the holidays. Early preparation avoids unnecessary downtime.

You’ll start the year behind the pack - Your competitors may already be approved and retooling. Act now to avoid playing catch-up.

If you need to move before the break, speak to a finance broker now.

11/12/2025

House prices up but growth eases

Australian housing values continued to rise last month, but signs are emerging that the pace of growth is starting to cool.

New figures from the Cotality show national dwelling values increased by 1.0 per cent over the month, marking a third consecutive monthly rise of one per cent or more, though down slightly from October’s 1.1 per cent gain.

Price growth was increasingly uneven across the country. Sydney and Melbourne again lagged the national trend, with values rising 0.5 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively. In contrast, every other capital city recorded growth of at least 1.0 per cent, led by Perth, where values surged 2.4 per cent over the month.

Listings remain tight in Perth, supporting strong price growth, while Sydney’s softer result appears linked to affordability ceilings and a more balanced level of stock. Sydney’s listings are only slightly below their longer-term average, compared with a much larger shortfall across capital cities more broadly.

According to data from Cotality, recent gains have increasingly been concentrated in lower-priced segments of the market, suggesting affordability is still a factor for buyers.

10/12/2025

RBA UPDATE | Effective December 10, 2025

At its final meeting of the year, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) held the official cash rate steady at 3.60%, marking the fifth consecutive pause after cuts earlier this year.

The federal government’s Help to Buy scheme launched December 5, offering up to 40% equity for new homes and 30% for existing homes to help low and middle-income Australians into the market. Income thresholds have been set at $100,000 for individuals and $160,000 for joint applicants and single parents, with participants needing a deposit of as little as 2%. With 40,000 places over four years, the initial lenders include Commonwealth Bank and Bank Australia.

The scheme will influence accelerated market activity, with property prices forecast to rise in 2026. Sydney is expected to rise 7% to $1.92m and Melbourne reaching $1.17m, driven by first-home buyer demand and easing rates. Government initiatives like Help to Buy and the First Home Guarantee are anticipated to create early-year momentum, effectively simulating multiple rate cuts. Units are tipped to outperform houses as buyers chase affordability, particularly in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, where growth of 4-5% is predicted.

The RBA’s next meeting will be announced on Tuesday, February 3.

02/12/2025

30/11/2025

Leasing vs asset finance: which is right for your business?

Need a new truck, machine, or IT setup for your business but not sure whether to lease or finance it?

Asset finance (like a chattel mortgage) means you own the asset from day one. It’s secured against the item and offers potential tax advantages, especially with the instant asset write-off. You can also customise the loan term and structure repayments to suit your cash flow.

Leasing, on the other hand, gives you access to the equipment without owning it outright. You pay to use the asset over a fixed term and hand it back (or buy it at the end). It can be a smart move if you want to upgrade frequently or avoid large upfront costs.

The right choice depends on your industry, cash flow, tax position, and whether you need to eventually own the asset.

Before locking anything in, speak with a finance broker who understands your sector.

They can help you compare your options.

28/11/2025

Invoice finance vs overdraft: which is better for managing cash flow?

Every business hits a cash flow crunch from time to time, which could be waiting on invoices, managing seasonal demand, or dealing with slow-paying clients.
What’s the best way to bridge the gap?

Invoice finance unlocks the cash tied up in your unpaid invoices. Rather than waiting 30, 60, or 90 days for payment, you can access up to 85-90% of the invoice value almost immediately. Once the customer pays, you receive the balance. It’s a flexible, scalable solution, making it ideal for businesses expanding quickly or managing large accounts.

Overdrafts, offer a pre-set credit limit through your bank account. They’re simple and familiar, but the limit doesn’t always rise with your revenue, and interest rates can be higher, especially for unsecured facilities. Over time, overdrafts can also mask underlying cash flow issues rather than fixing them.

If your business invoices other businesses and experiences cash gaps, invoice finance often provides more breathing room and flexibility, without taking on new debt.

The best thing to do is speak to a finance broker who can help you compare your options.

25/11/2025

Investor interest in Aussie industrial property continues to climb

Buyer demand for Australian warehouses and logistics assets has picked up pace, with new data revealing a 19% year-on-year surge in enquiries on realcommercial.com.au during the September quarter.

According to CBRE, industrial property transactions totalled $7 billion in the first nine months of 2025, in line with long-term averages despite subdued leasing activity. While gross take-up slowed to its lowest quarterly level in a year, CBRE expects full-year leasing volumes to outpace 2024 as several major deals near completion.

This confidence is being underpinned by strong fundamentals. Vacancy rates remain tight at 2.8%, and 2.4 million sqm of new warehouse space is expected to be delivered nationally this year, 27% above the historical average.

As some older properties are finally leased, investor momentum is expected to strengthen across the eastern seaboard. CBRE and Cushman & Wakefield forecast ongoing rental growth and resilient demand through 2025, with foreign capital continuing to play a key role in institutional-grade acquisitions.

20/11/2025

Industrial vacancies may have peaked

According to new research from Cushman & Wakefield, Australia’s logistics and industrial (L&I) market is at a key inflection point.

Tenant confidence is rebounding, but speculative development is falling fast, with a 46% drop in planned supply expected over the next two years. That means less space on the market just as 8% of total stock is due to expire, creating a sharp uplift in leasing activity.

National vacancy is tipped to tighten from 4.0% in early 2026 to just 2.5% by 2027, and further to 1.8% by 2030.

Rents are rising too, with prime net face growth forecast at 3.9% in 2026 and 2027, and a five-year CAGR of 4.8% through 2030. Incentives are expected to moderate as balance shifts back toward landlords.

“Demand is picking up while project viability is under pressure, and that’s where the market turns,” according to Cushman & Wakefield’s Luke Crawford.

If you’re in the market, the next 6-12 months may offer the last window of favourable terms before the next tightening cycle takes hold.