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IN-View with Mel: the spring property market, rates and your borrowing power

We sat down with Mel from Grounded Finance — mortgage broker, Lake Macquarie local, around 20 years in finance — to talk through what the spring market means for your next move.

Mel — Founder and Principal Mortgage Broker, Grounded Finance

Mel · Grounded Finance, Lake Macquarie NSW

Key takeaways

01

The RBA held the cash rate at 4.35% on 11 August — the second hold in a row.

02

Less buyer competition right now means more breathing room than the market has had in a while.

03

A broker gives you 30+ lenders instead of one — and stays with you after settlement.

Meet Mel

Founder and Principal Mortgage Broker of Grounded Finance, Mel is based in beautiful Lake Macquarie and helps clients right across Australia.

With around 20 years in finance, she loves helping people reach their goals — whether that's getting into their first home, growing their portfolio through investment, or simply feeling confident about their next move. She works across a wide range of lenders and borrower types, including self-employed, PAYG and a variety of occupations.

Market update

Following the budget announcement, there's been a slowdown in the property market and a bit of an adjustment on property valuations. While agents expressed some hesitation, they're now feeling things are starting to pick up again, with more interest coming through recently. With less buyer competition around at the moment, there's more breathing room in the market than there has been for a while.

"Rates being steady for now gives you a solid, predictable window to firm up your numbers and get pre-approval sorted."

On rates — the RBA held at 4.35% for the second meeting in a row on 11 August. That's welcome stability after three rises earlier in the year, though another move isn't off the table. Lenders are also sharpening fixed and variable rates following the latest inflation data, so if it's been a while since you reviewed your loan, now's a good time.

Why use a broker?

If you've used Monique's services for asset finance, you already know the value a broker makes over walking into a bank:

More options Access to a panel of over 30 lenders, not just one.
On your side A broker works for you, and is there to find the right structure for your situation — not just process an application.
Support with tricky scenarios Self-employed, casual, or complex income? Brokers are used to working through these with lenders that are genuinely a good fit, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Ongoing reviews Post-settlement reviews so we can flag it if your loan is no longer competitive, so you're not stuck paying more than you need to over time.

Let's have a chat

Sell before you buy? Access equity? Refinance? Whatever the scenario, a quick 15-minute chat can help map out your best next move.

Book a call with Mel

Grounded Finance — strong foundations for every home journey. A quick 15-minute chat to map out your next move.

Book a Call with Mel

0408 467 584 [email protected] www.groundedfinance.com.au

This article is general information only and does not take into account your personal financial situation, needs, or objectives. Please speak with Mel or a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.