Top banker reveals 2 radical ways to beat RBA’s rate squeeze

The crowd at a Ray White Coastal Living Network auction event in September. With the Reserve Bank poised to hand down its next interest rate verdict on Tuesday, Australian property hopefuls face one of the toughest spring markets in years. But rather than walking away from the great Aussie dream, frustrated house hunters are quietly rewriting the rules to bypass the market gridlock. Here, National Australia Bank’s executive for home lending Denton Pugh reveals the unconventional tactics buyers are leaning on right now to get a foot in the door. NAB executive for home lending Denton Pugh. By Denton Pugh, NAB Executive for Home Lending After four interest rate rises this year, many Australian home buyers will be wondering what comes next. Spring normally brings more energy to the property market, but this year has been subdued. Auction clearance rates across the capital cities hovered around 50 per cent through September, compared with around 70 per cent at the same time last year. In other words, fewer homes are selling at auction. Home buyers will be watching closely when the RBA meets next week. With inflation still elevated, another rise can’t be ruled out. So where does that lea...