The Reserve Bank of Australia have increased the cash rate for the 4th time in 4 months. The increase of 0.50% brings the new cash rate to 1.85%. For those home owners currently on a variable home loan rate, you can expect the banks to follow with another interest rate increase in the coming weeks.
This latest rate rise will result in home owners with an average home loan of $500,000 needing to pay an extra $140 a month or $470 since the RBA first increased the cash rate in May 2022.
The last time the RBA lifted the rates over four consecutive months was in 1990. The announcement follows last week’s increase in annual inflation, which hit 6.1 per cent, the highest level in 21 years. The RBA says it will continue to do what’s necessary to tackle soaring inflation until it returns to the 2 – 3 per cent range.
With expectations that the cash rate will continue to increase over the coming months, now is the time to speak to a Mortgage Broker about your home loan options.