Empower Blog Property & Financial Investment

What Could Push Interest Rates Higher From Here?

Interest rates are once again front and centre for Australian households and investors. As predicted, the RBA increased the cash rate by 0.25% in September to 4.60%, its highest level since 2011. At the same time, inflation has moved higher, with the latest monthly headline reading reaching 4.0%, above the RBA’s 2–3% target range. So, w...

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Gen X: How to manage competing financial demands and still plan for your future

If you’re in your 40s or 50s and earning more than ever but still wondering where all the money goes, you’re certainly not alone. For many Gen X Australians, these can be some of the most financially demanding years of their lives. You might still be paying off the mortgage, supporting children through school or university, helping adu...

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4 simple ways to improve your health at home

Please Note: This article was created and provided by AIA Australia. Taking control of your wellbeing is becoming a lot more accessible. From wearable fitness trackers to at-home health tests, more Australians are building healthier habits without having to leave the comfort of their own homes. The rise of home health technology means you ca...

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Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House? What Home Buyers Should Know This Spring

Just last week, one of our Buyers Agents flew to Adelaide for an auction with a rather unusual brief. The clients had worked with us before, using our Buyers Agent service to purchase an investment property. But this time, they weren’t looking for another investment. They wanted to buy the property next door to their existing rural home. (...

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(LIVE) RBA Sep 2026 | Rates Hit a 15-Year High. What Happens Next?

The Reserve Bank raised the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.60% this afternoon — the highest level in 15 years, and the fourth increase this year. The decision was unanimous. And the statement that came with it made clear the Board doesn't consider the job done. The RBA told us this was coming What made today unusual wasn't the decision. I...

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Interest Rate Rises in Australia: The Hidden Risk Most People Are Missing

Interest rates are back in the headlines, with plenty of discussion around the possibility of further rate rises in Australia. And when there’s this much uncertainty, one response we’re hearing a lot is: “I think I’ll just wait and see.” Wait before refinancing.Wait before upgrading the family home.Wait before buying that firs...

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August 2026 Property Market Update: What Is the Data Telling Us?

There is a lot for property investors to digest right now. Higher interest rates, persistent inflation, cost-of-living pressures and recent tax policy changes have all landed within a relatively short period of time. Add the daily cycle of property headlines and forecasts, and it can become difficult to work out what is actually happening be...

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(LIVE) RBA Aug 2026 | Hold Today, Hike Tomorrow?

The Reserve Bank left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% at its August meeting, in line with what all four major banks had forecast. The decision itself wasn't the surprise. What matters more is what came with it — and on that front, the Board was considerably more direct than a routine hold might suggest. The decision was unanimous There was ...

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Tax Time for Property Investors: What to Claim, What to Review, and What the 2026 Tax Changes Mean for Your Next Move

Tax time is here again. And if you own an investment property, this year may feel a little different. Yes, there are still the usual tax-time questions: What can I claim? What records do I need? Can I claim repairs? What about interest, depreciation, insurance and property management fees? But in 2026, property investors are al...

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Stability on Edge: VanEck’s April 2026 Summary 

Please Note: This report was created and provided by VanEck. “I bought my first stock in, probably, April of 1942, when I was 11. And since then, I mean, actually World War II didn’t look so good at that time.” – Warren Buffett This was the first quarter in over 55 years that Warren Buffett was not the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, ...

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SMSF Property After the 2026 Federal Budget: What Investors Need to Know

Note: Since this article was first drafted, the proposed changes have progressed significantly. As at 26 June 2026, the negative gearing and CGT reforms have passed Federal Parliament, and the Labor–Greens deal includes a ban on future SMSF borrowing arrangements for residential property. The Federal Budget has naturally led many investors to...

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(LIVE) RBA June 2026 | Pause, Peak… or More Pain Ahead?

The RBA has held the cash rate at 4.35% — the first pause after three consecutive hikes this year. But the Board's statement made it clear that the tightening cycle is not necessarily over. What Happened Today? The RBA left the cash rate unchanged for the first time in 2026, responding to signs that the trio of earlier hikes are beginning ...

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Guaranteed Property Returns: Why Investors Should Be Cautious of Promises That Sound Too Good to Be True

The recent liquidation of a highly prolific property advisory firm has put a spotlight back on an important issue in property investing: Guaranteed Returns. For many investors, certainty is incredibly appealing. When markets feel noisy, tax policy is changing, borrowing conditions are shifting, and people are trying to make smart decisi...

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