Rate updates, first home buyer guides, property finance tips and market insights from the team at Integrated Finance Group.
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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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.
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