Morning Briefing: Major bank set to hike 'principal and interest' investor rates

A major bank will announce a rate rise for a group of its property investors... More than 2,200 auctions expected this week...

NAB set to hike 'principal and interest' investor rates
National Australia Bank will announce a rate rise for a group of its property investors, according to the Australian Financial Review. 

Street Talk has revealed that NAB will up rates by 0.15 of a percentage point for property investors who are paying off principal, as well as interest.   

The rate increase is part of a new tiered home loan pricing structure and expected to come into effect on April 4.

The move comes as the bank launches a new mortgage pricing structure where it will group its home loan products by both borrower type (owner-occupier or investor) and loan structure (interest-only or principal and interest). 

More than 2,200 auctions expected this week
Despite a drop in volumes in most capital city auction markets, more than 2,200 homes across Australia are expected to go under the hammer this week.

CoreLogic RP Data is currently tracking 2,230 auctions this week compared to last week’s 2,701, with Sydney and Melbourne both seeing sold falls in terms of volume.

Last week’s national clearance rate finalised at 71.4%, a slight decrease from the previous week’s 71.8%.

Melbourne continues its run as the nation’s busiest market, with the Victorian capital set to hold 1,179 auctions this week, down from the 1,347 it held last week.

Last week saw Melbourne post the highest clearance rate of any capital city at 74.8%.

You may have missed:
MPA's in-depth report 'ASIC and brokers: Communication breakdown?'
The sale is in the seduction

Let's talk about mentoring