RBA cash rate decision 2 October 2018

[Guest Carol from Vista Financial]

Hi all

Bit behind the 8 ball and catching up on some posts after a few busy weeks. A lot happening in the mortgage market with rate moves, refinance offers, lending policy changes, the Banking Royal Commission interim report released and more!

First things first - the RBA.

Last week to no ones surprise the RBA left rates on hold again:

"In Australia, money-market interest rates are higher than they were at the start of the year, although they have declined since the end of June. In response, some lenders have increased their standard variable mortgage rates by small amounts, while at the same time reducing mortgage rates for some new loans.

...Conditions in the Sydney and Melbourne housing markets have continued to ease and nationwide measures of rent inflation remain low. Growth in credit extended to owner-occupiers remains robust, but demand by investors has slowed noticeably as the dynamics of the housing market have changed. Credit conditions are tighter than they have been for some time, although mortgage rates remain low and there is strong competition for borrowers of high credit quality."

Full release can be read here

More on the rest soon, watch this space!