CAB Property Wealth

It is completely understandable if you’re feeling the frustration of the recent RBA rate hike. Another 0.25% bump—taking the official cash rate to 4.10% as of March 2026—puts a very real squeeze on household budgets and shifts the landscape for anyone looking to enter or exit the property market.

Here are 5 valid, actionable points on what to do with a mortgage or property transaction right now:

1. Call your bank to negotiate (or prepare to refinance) Banks are notoriously quick to pass on that 0.25% increase to borrowers. However, there is often a "loyalty tax" where existing customers pay higher rates than new ones. Call your current lender, tell them you are feeling the pinch of the hike, and ask them to match the rates they are offering new customers. If they refuse, consult a mortgage broker to see if refinancing makes financial sense, keeping in mind that you'll need to pass the bank's "stress test" at the new, higher rates to qualify.

2. Maximize your offset or redraw facilities With interest rates climbing, the cost of carrying debt is higher. If you have emergency savings or spare cash sitting in a standard savings account (even a high-yield one), it is likely earning less interest than your mortgage is costing you after tax. Parking that money in a 100% offset account or redraw facility reduces the daily principal amount you are charged interest on, effectively blunting the impact of the rate hike without locking your cash away completely.

3. Recalculate your borrowing capacity immediately Every time the RBA raises the cash rate, banks adjust the minimum "stress test" rate they use to assess your application (typically the current rate plus a 3% buffer). This means a 0.25% hike directly shrinks your maximum borrowing capacity. If you have a pre-approval from before the mid-March hike, contact your broker or bank right away to ensure your budget hasn't dropped below the price bracket you are shopping in.

4. Leverage the cooled competition Higher rates naturally thin out the buyer pool because fewer people can secure large loans. As a buyer, you can use this to your advantage. You are less likely to face intense, emotionally driven bidding wars at auctions. Take a breath, avoid FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), and negotiate firmly. Vendors who need to sell might be more willing to accept a sensible offer now rather than risk their property languishing on the market.

5. Price realistically and prepare for a longer campaign Because buyers are dealing with reduced borrowing power and higher monthly repayments, they are much more price-sensitive. You cannot rely on what a similar house sold for a year or two ago. You need to price your property based on the reality of today's 4.10% cash rate environment. Ensure your home is immaculately presented to stand out, be transparent with your real estate agent about your bottom line, and mentally prepare for the property to stay on the market a little longer than it might have during a boom.

A Great episode on Cash flow solutions over the holiday break.

That's a critical area to focus on for a smooth holiday period. Cash flow can be tricky with holiday closures, slower client payments, and seasonal expenses.

Here is a brief, actionable guide focusing on business cash flow and mortgage/lending solutions.

The key is proactive planning for both reduced income and increased costs.

That's a great request. A structured, formal layout will make this information much easier to follow and use for planning.

Here is the revised brief on cash flow and lending solutions, presented with a normal, professional structure.

This guide provides strategic solutions for managing business cash flow and addressing lending/mortgage needs over the holiday period, focusing on ensuring financial stability during potential slowdowns.

The primary goal is to maximize inflows and minimize outflows during the period when administrative functions (like client payments) may be slower.

• Accelerate Invoicing: Issue all pending invoices immediately, especially for services or products delivered in the current month, to ensure they are processed before client finance departments shut down.
• Incentivize Early Payment: Offer a small discount (e.g., 1-2%) for customers who settle their accounts before a specific, pre-holiday date.
• Active Collections: Dedicate time now to following up on all outstanding accounts receivable. Be clear about your payment expectations ahead of holiday closures.

• Critical Expense Review: Conduct an immediate review of all non-essential operating expenses (subscriptions, discretionary spending). Defer any major purchases until the New Year.
• Inventory Management: Utilize sales data to prevent overstocking, which ties up working capital. Run promotions or flash sales to convert existing slow-moving inventory into immediate cash.
• Negotiate Payment Terms: Contact key suppliers to request extended payment terms that bridge the holiday break (e.g., paying on January 15th instead of December 30th).

• Detailed Cash Flow Forecast: Develop a specific 60-day forecast (November 15th - January 15th) that highlights potential "troughs" in liquidity due to holiday closures or payment delays.
• Establish a Buffer: Prioritize building a small cash reserve before the break to cover 4-8 weeks of fixed operational costs (rent, insurance, key salaries).

Proactive communication is the most effective tool if concerns arise about meeting loan obligations during a cash-tight period.

• Review Existing Facilities: Check the terms of your current business loan or commercial mortgage for an option like a Repayment Holiday or Payment Deferral. Note: Interest typically continues to accrue.
• Access Working Capital: If necessary, utilize a pre-approved Business Line of Credit or an Overdraft Facility as a temporary bridge. Use this responsibly to cover fixed costs, not for capital expenditure.

• Contact Your Lender/Broker: If you anticipate ongoing payment difficulties, contact your financial institution before a payment is missed.
• Loan Restructuring: Discuss options for modifying your loan terms, such as extending the amortization period to reduce the monthly repayment amount, or exploring refinancing to a lower interest rate.

• Tax Payment Arrangements: If a critical cash shortfall impacts your ability to meet tax or regulatory payments, contact the relevant authority (e.g., the ATO) immediately to discuss and negotiate a structured payment plan.