At its 29 September meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia increased the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points, from 4.35% to 4.60%. The RBA said inflation remains elevated, with recent inflation outcomes stronger than it had expected. Reserve Bank of Australia 

For mortgage holders, another rate rise can place further pressure on repayments. 

However, the cash rate isn’t the only number homeowners should be watching. Different lenders can offer very different home loan rates, and the rate available to a new customer may not necessarily be the same as the rate an existing customer has been paying. 

That makes regularly reviewing your home loan particularly important. 

If you haven’t had your loan reviewed recently, this could be a good time to check whether your current rate and loan structure are still competitive.

Yes, although conditions vary considerably by location and property type. 

Cotality’s September Housing Chart Pack showed national dwelling values fell 3.1% over the three months to August 2026. Sydney recorded a larger quarterly fall of 4.7%.

Regional NSW has been more resilient. Values fell 1.6% over the quarter, while remaining 5.3% higher over the year to August.
(Source: LJ Hooker)

The market is also giving buyers more time. 

Nationally, the median time a property spent on the market increased to 39 days, compared with 28 days a year earlier. Vendor discounting across the capital cities also widened to 4.2%, while total listings were 18.1% higher than a year earlier.
(Source: Cotality)

A slower market can change how buyers approach property. 

Rather than feeling pressure to rush into a purchase, buyers may have more time to compare properties, negotiate and think carefully about what they’re actually buying. 

It can also be worth looking beyond what a property is today and considering what it could become. 

That might mean a home with a larger block, a three-bedroom property with a study that could potentially become a fourth bedroom, or an older property where renovations could add value over time. 

Instead of relying entirely on the wider market to increase a property’s value, some buyers may choose to look for opportunities where they can potentially create value themselves. 

Of course, any renovation, extension or development strategy should be considered carefully, including its costs, approvals and whether it makes financial sense for your circumstances. 

A softer market doesn’t mean existing homeowners have nothing to consider. 

It may be worth looking at the property you already own and asking whether there are opportunities to improve it rather than immediately looking for the next property. 

Cosmetic improvements such as painting, flooring or updating an older kitchen can sometimes improve the appeal and usability of a home without requiring a major structural renovation. 

For some homeowners, another consideration is equity. 

Depending on your property’s current value and outstanding home loan, you may have equity that could potentially be used towards renovations or another property. However, accessing equity involves additional borrowing, so your income, expenses, existing debts and overall borrowing capacity will still matter. 

The September rate rise makes it particularly important to understand what you’re currently paying. 

A home loan that was competitive a few years ago may not necessarily remain competitive today. 

A home loan review can help you understand your current interest rate, repayments, available lender options and whether refinancing could potentially improve your position. 

It doesn’t automatically mean you need to refinance. Sometimes the first step is simply knowing how your existing loan compares. 

There isn’t one answer that applies to every buyer or homeowner. 

If you’re buying this spring, softer conditions may give you more choice and negotiating time. If you already own property, it could be an opportunity to review your loan, understand your available equity or consider whether improvements could add value to what you already have. 

At In Financial Services, we help clients across Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Valley, Central Coast and Australia-wide understand their home loan and borrowing options. 

Whether you’d like your current loan reviewed, you’re preparing to buy, or you’re considering using equity in your existing property, our team can help you understand the numbers before you make your next move. 

General information only. Your circumstances and lending requirements should be considered before making financial decisions. 

If you’d like us to review your current home loan, look at your available equity or talk through your plans for another property, get in touch with the team at In Financial Services. 

We help homeowners, first home buyers and property investors across Newcastle, Maitland and the Hunter Valley make smarter decisions about property and finance. 

Information is general in nature and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. 

Have a quick chat, understand your options, and see what your next step could look like, no pressure, just support.  

Keep a trusted contact handy for when questions come up along the way.