With another decision on interest rates due early in May, and constantly-evolving economic conditions, many borrowers are feeling the need to be able to make confident, well-informed financial decisions.
The Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) this week released its February 2026 Market Sentiment Survey showing a shift in sentiment, with borrowers taking a cautious view of their financial outlook.
Cost-of-living pressures are no longer driven by a single factor, the survey suggests. Rising interest rates, higher fuel and energy costs, insurance increases and broader inflation are all impacting households. The lending landscape is becoming more complex as household priorities shift.
According to the report, while most borrowers are not in hardship, they are nevertheless feeling the impact of these changes. As they weigh trade-offs between cash flow, long-term cost and financial flexibility, the value of clear, informed guidance is more important than ever.
One of the clearest insights from the research is that timing matters. Borrowers who engage early often have more options, including negotiating with their current lender, reviewing their loan structure or planning ahead. There’s a range of actions brokers are already taking to support their home loan clients in this environment, including:
- Reviewing interest rates and negotiating with lenders;
- Assessing the true cost of refinancing, not just headline rates;
- Optimising loan structures and repayment strategies;
- Helping clients to build financial buffers where possible.
The report advises borrowers to take advantage of their mortgage broker’s access to a broad range of lenders and extensive knowledge of how policy, pricing and structure interact, to find practical solutions that will enable them to remain in control of their financial position.