Empower Blog Property & Financial Investment

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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Should I Still Invest in Property Without Negative Gearing?

Last week, we released a blog titled: What the 2026 Negative Gearing and CGT Changes Could Mean for Property Investors. Since then, one question has come up again and again from our clients and close network: “Should I still invest in property without negative gearing?” And honestly, it’s understandable why. Between headlines a...

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What the 2026 Negative Gearing and CGT Changes Could Mean for Property Investors

On Tuesday night, 12 May 2026, the Federal Government proposed significant changes to property investment taxation in Australia. These changes still require legislation to be passed, but we anticipate this will occur, potentially with some minor tweaks. For now, we are working on the assumption that they will become law, and we will continue to...

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How Much More Will Mortgage Repayments Increase in Australia?

The Reserve Bank has now delivered three rate hikes in 2026, and for many Australians, the impact is starting to show. With interest rates, fuel costs and broader inflationary pressures continuing to shift, households are asking a very real question: How much more am I actually paying on my mortgage? As discussed in our latest RBA updat...

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(LIVE) RBA May 2026 | Why This May Not Be the Last Rate Hike

In its May meeting, the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate by 0.25% to 4.35%, marking the third consecutive rate hike this year. Unlike March’s narrow 5–4 split, this latest decision was passed 8–1 in favour of the hike — a clear signal that the Board is increasingly concerned about inflation and may not be finished yet. Adding to the...

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How to Reduce Mortgage Repayments in Australia: 6 Practical Ways to Save

With interest rates and living costs rising, many households are asking the same question: How can I reduce my mortgage repayments without overcomplicating things? The good news is, there are practical ways to improve your cash flow — and some of them can be implemented straight away. In this guide, we bring together six practical str...

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ATO Holiday Home Tax Crackdown: What Property Investors Need to Know About Rental Property Deductions

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is tightening its approach to holiday home tax deductions, and the implications for property investors across Australia are significant. If you own a holiday home, Airbnb, or short-term rental property, understanding how these new ATO rules apply could mean the difference between claiming deductions and losing ...

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Should I Fix My Mortgage After a Rate Rise in Australia? What to Do Next.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has lifted the cash rate once again in their March 2026 Meeting, marking another shift in the interest rate cycle. While the headline increase of 0.25% (25 basis points) may seem small, the real impact depends on how your lender responds — and what you do next. Because not all lenders move in the same w...

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(LIVE) RBA Mar 2026 | Inflation Fears Win in Close Call Vote

Australia's economic story has taken a decisive turn in early 2026. In its March meeting, the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate by 0.25% to 4.10%, marking the second consecutive hike this year — and one of the most closely contested decisions since board voting transparency was introduced. In a narrow five-to-four split, the Board determin...

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Top Mortgage Brokerages Australia 2026: Empower Wealth Ranked 15th Nationally

Empower Wealth has been recognised as the 15th-ranked brokerage in the Top Mortgage Brokerages Australia 2026 ranking, released by The Adviser. In a year marked by record lending volumes, strong borrower demand and increasing competition across the broking industry, this recognition places Empower Wealth alongside some of Australia’s largest ...

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Market Outlook: Growth Volatility and the “Value Rotation” Illusion

As we move through February 2026, the equity markets have been defined by a tug-of-war between high-flying growth stocks and traditional value plays. While headline volatility might suggest a mass exodus from tech, a closer look at the fundamentals reveals a more nuanced story. Many investors are currently fleeing high Price-to-Earnings ...

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(LIVE) RBA Feb 2026 | RBA Reverses Course After Inflation Surges

Australia’s economic story has taken a sharp turn to start the new year. In its first meeting of 2026, the Reserve Bank has lifted the cash rate by 0.25%, reversing part of last year’s rate cuts and signalling that inflationary pressures are now too strong — and too broad — to ignore. In this month’s LIVE RBA & Economic Update,...

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Resilience through selectivity: VanEck’s Jan 2026 Summary 

Please Note: This report was created and provided by VanEck. “Gold is a way of going long on fear.” – Warren Buffett There is no doubt that many investors are mindful. Many markets appear fully priced, and geopolitics weigh heavily. As a result, during the last quarter of 2025, gold and its miners have continued to rally. There we...

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