Each week, First Home Loan Weekly News Wrap Australia brings a clear, independent recap of Australia’s housing headlines. We sort the noise into need‑to‑know stories on property market movements, policy changes that affect first‑time buyers, regional and city trends, and practical implications for your plans. Expect plain‑English context, quick takeaways, and links to trusted sources, so you can stay informed and confident about your next steps — in under ten minutes.
This Week:
RBA lifts the cash rate to 3.85% on 3 February and the big banks schedule variable rate increases from mid to late February. January home values rose about 0.8% but growth is expected to slow after the hike, potentially easing competition in some areas. APRAs new cap on high debt‑to‑income loans took effect on 1 February, likely curbing riskier lending and slightly tempering investor demand. ABS data on 4 February shows living costs still rising, so buyers should budget for higher on‑going expenses. The episode explains what happened, why it matters for first‑home buyers, and suggests practical next steps, including checking borrowing power, exploring low‑deposit pathways, and using grants or guarantee schemes.
EPISODE 1254 | First Home Loan Weekly Property News Wrap | Sun, 8th Feb 2026
14 Feb 2026 | Paige Estritori
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Read Full Transcript:
Hello and welcome to First Home Loan Weekly Property News Wrap, Im Paige Estritori, and its Sunday, 8 February 2026.
First up, the Reserve Bank of Australia, or RBA, lifted the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points on Tuesday, 3 February, taking it to 3.85 per cent. The big banks are passing it on: CommBank and NAB from 13 February, Westpac from 17 February, and Macquarie from 20 February. For a typical mortgage, that adds roughly $80 to $110 a month per half‑million to seven‑hundred‑thousand borrowed. If youre close to buying, lock in your numbers now, check your borrowing power, and see whether a lower‑deposit path and government support could keep your plan on track.
Meanwhile, home values edged higher in January. The national index rose about 0.8 per cent, but analysts expect the pace to cool after this weeks hike. That means conditions could become a touch less frenzied, especially outside the priciest suburbs. If affordabilitys tight, widen your search to units or near‑by suburbs, and get guidance on stamp duty concessions and guarantee schemes before you commit.
Also important this week, new lending limits from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, or APRA, kicked in on 1 February. Banks must now keep loans above six times a borrowers income—called debt‑to‑income, or DTI—below 20 per cent of new lending for both owner‑occupiers and investors. Investors are likely to feel it most, which may slightly ease competition at the entry level. If your DTI is stretched, tidying up other debts or adjusting your target price can help; a free eligibility check can show your options fast.
And the Australian Bureau of Statistics, or ABS, reported on 4 February that living costs rose over the past year for all household types, roughly two to four per cent. Insurance, energy and rates are doing a lot of the lifting. When youre mapping repayments, add a small buffer for these on‑going costs so your first year in the home feels comfortable, not stressful. We can help you build that budget into your loan selection.
Thats your wrap. For a free, no‑obligation eligibility assessment, clear guidance on grants and guarantee schemes, and low‑deposit options from five to ten per cent, head to first-home-loan.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—talk to you next week.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
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Knowledgebase
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): A type of insurance that a borrower might be required to purchase as a condition of a conventional mortgage loan, if the down payment is less than 20% of the property value.
