Money

Cutting edge strategies give first home buyers a competitive advantage

Expert Dr. Enticott advises on buying your first home in 2025, highlighting costs, grants, and logical decision-making.

Published

7 months ago

March 4, 2025

Steven Enticott

Expert Dr. Enticott advises on buying your first home in 2025, highlighting costs, grants, and logical decision-making.

In Short

Dr. Steve Enticott offers guidance for first-time homebuyers in 2025, highlighting the importance of careful planning, understanding costs, and exploring options like rent vesting and government grants. He emphasises the need for thorough research and expert advice to successfully navigate the property market.

Buying a Home in 2025? Here’s What Young Professionals Must Know!

With the housing market evolving, young professionals looking to buy their first home in 2025 must navigate rising prices, deposit requirements, and hidden costs. Is this the right year to take the leap into homeownership? Here’s what buyers need to know.

Is 2025 a Good Time to Buy?

Long term market trends show steady home price growth over time, but interest rates and government incentives could make 2025 an attractive time to buy. Experts advise researching local markets to find the best deals while taking advantage of first-home buyer grants and subsidies where available.

How Much Deposit Do You Really Need?

While a 20% deposit is ideal to avoid lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI), many lenders now offer home loans with as little as 5% down. Some government-backed schemes may even allow first-time buyers to enter the market with reduced upfront costs.

The Hidden Costs of Buying Property

Beyond the deposit, buyers should budget for stamp duty, legal fees, inspections, and ongoing maintenance. These costs can add thousands to the final price, making it essential to plan ahead.

Should You Rentvest Instead?

For those priced out of their desired location, ‘rentvesting’—renting where you live while buying an investment property elsewhere—has become a popular strategy. This approach allows young professionals to get on the property ladder without sacrificing lifestyle or location preferences.

With strategic planning and research, 2025 could be the perfect time for young buyers to secure their first home or investment property.

Dr Steven Enticott is a finance professional, speaker, regular columnist, and author of The Man With A Plan.

Find out more at CIA Tax

Money

Fed cuts rates, signals more potentially ahead

Fed lowers rates amid job market concerns, signalling potential further cuts in upcoming meetings

Published

5 days ago

September 18, 2025

Ahron Young

Fed lowers rates amid job market concerns, signalling potential further cuts in upcoming meetings

In Short:
– The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter-point to address job market concerns.
– Officials expect at least two additional rate cuts by year-end amid ongoing economic uncertainties.

The Federal Reserve has reduced interest rates by a quarter-point, addressing concerns about a weakening job market overshadowing inflation worries.

A majority of officials anticipate at least two additional cuts by year-end during the remaining meetings in October and December.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted a significant shift in the labour market, highlighting “downside risk” in his statements.

The recent rate cut, supported by 11 of 12 Fed voters, aims to recalibrate an economy facing uncertainties from policy changes and market pressures.

Policy Dynamics

The decision comes amid intense political scrutiny, with President Trump openly criticising Powell’s reluctance to lower rates.

Despite the controversy, Powell asserts that political pressures do not influence Fed operations.

The current benchmark federal-funds rate now sits between 4% and 4.25%, the lowest since 2021, providing some reprieve to consumers and small businesses. Economic forecasts indicate ongoing complexities, including inflation trends and the impact of tariffs on labour dynamics, complicating future policy decisions.

Money

Fed faces unusual dissent amid leadership uncertainty

Fed’s Powell navigates contentious meeting amid Trump-appointed dissenters as rate cut looms and succession contest heats up

Published

6 days ago

September 17, 2025

Ahron Young

Fed’s Powell navigates contentious meeting amid Trump-appointed dissenters as rate cut looms and succession contest heats up

In Short:
– This week’s Federal Reserve meeting faces unusual dissent as Chair Powell approaches his term’s end.
– Analysts predict dissent over expected rate cuts due to political pressures from Trump-appointed officials.

This week’s Federal Reserve meeting is set to be particularly unusual, with Chair Jerome Powell facing significant disagreements over future policy as he approaches the end of his term in May.Tensions began before the meeting when Fed governor Lisa Cook won a court ruling allowing her to attend, despite opposition from President Trump, who is attempting to remove her.

The situation is further complicated by the recent swearing-in of Trump adviser Stephen Miran to the Fed’s board, following a Senate confirmation.

Analysts believe Powell may encounter dissent on an expected quarter-percentage-point rate cut from both Trump-appointed officials and regional Fed presidents concerned about inflation.

Potential Dissent

Trump has urged significant rate cuts and for the board to challenge Powell’s decisions.

Some analysts predict dissenting votes from Miran and other Trump appointees in favour of larger cuts. Federal Reserve veterans express concerns that political motivations may undermine the institution’s integrity, with indications that greater dissent could become commonplace.

Money

RBA plans to ban credit card surcharges in Australia

Reserve Bank of Australia plans to ban credit card surcharges despite banks warning of potential higher fees and weaker rewards

Published

1 week ago

September 16, 2025

ticker NEWS

Reserve Bank of Australia plans to ban credit card surcharges despite banks warning of potential higher fees and weaker rewards.

In Short:
– The RBA plans to ban surcharges on debit and credit card transactions, supported by consumer group Choice.
– Major banks oppose the ban, warning it could lead to higher card fees and reduced rewards for credit card users.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) intends to implement a ban on surcharges associated with debit and credit card transactions. Consumer advocacy group Choice endorses this initiative, arguing that it is unjust for users of low-cost debit cards to incur similar fees as credit card holders.

The major banks, however, are opposing this reform. They caution that the removal of surcharges could prompt customers to abandon credit cards due to diminished rewards.

A final decision by the RBA is anticipated by December 2025.