Brokers looking to generate leads or business through the web in 2009 will need to understand the new language of the Internet.

More people to fix as interest rates come down
Interest rates are tipped to hit a record-low by winter - and analysts say this makes fixed-rate home loans a good idea again. The popularity of fixed-rate loans collapsed to a record-low last year as the Reserve Bank of Australia slashed rates aggressively.This left some families paying interest rates of more than nine per cent while others on variable rates saw their mortgages drop.

Demand for mortgages jumps after RBA cuts interest rate
The latest interest-rate cut and recent improvements to the first-home buyer's grant have prompted a surge in demand for mortgages over the past two days, according to brokers. One mortgage website said it had seen a 250 per cent increase in inquiries, which are now numbering between 3000 and 4000 a day.

NAB cuts standard variable mortgage interest rate
National Australia Bank announced today that following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to reduce the official cash rate yesterday it would reduce its standard variable mortgage interest rate by 1.0% to 5.74% per annum (pa).Since September 2008 NAB has cut its standard variable home loan interest rate by 3.87% pa – the most of any major bank in Australia.

First home buyers leap at lower rates
Loans to first home buyers surged in January as lower interest rates, cheaper houses and boosts to the federal government's grant made owning property more attractive, a leading mortgage broker says. Mortgage sales to first home buyers rose 25.8 per cent in the month, from 21.2 per cent in December. It marked the sixth consecutive monthly rise in since first home buyers accounted for 10.6 per cent of sales in June 2008.

Economists optimistic after RBA's statement
The brokerage firm CommSec says it is optimistic about Australia's chances of avoiding a recession, based on the Reserve Bank's quarterly assessment of the economy. In its Statement on Monetary Policy, the Reserve Bank (RBA) has slashed its growth forecast for the current financial year, but suggests demand will rebound towards the end of the year.

The MFAA CPD program requires AMCs, AFCs & CMCs with two or more years experience to earn 25 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points per year. AMCs and AFCs with less than two years experience are required to earn 30 CPD points per year and participate in Mentoring.

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