Recent research reveals that a significant number of Australian homeowners feel they’ve overextended themselves with their mortgage commitments. The study, conducted by the comparison website Finder, surveyed 1,017 individuals, including 297 mortgage holders, and found that 20% of them perceive their financial obligations as overwhelming.

This statistic translates to approximately 627,000 homeowners nationwide grappling with the weight of their home loans. The survey’s findings underscore a growing concern among Australians about their financial stability in the face of rising living costs.

These insights emerge in the wake of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s recent decision to maintain interest rates at 3.6%. While some mortgage holders had hoped for a reduction, the static rate leaves them facing continued financial strain.

Economists and industry experts remain cautious, suggesting that a rate increase could still be on the horizon next year. The persistent issue of inflation, which continues to hover outside the RBA’s target range, poses a significant challenge to any potential rate cuts.

While the decision left mortgage holders disappointed, economists and commentators have not ruled out a possible hike in the cash rate next year.

They point to inflation stubbornly remaining outside the RBA’s target range as a hurdle to further cuts.

Finder home loans expert Richard Whitten said some borrowers had stretched themselves to enter the housing market.

“Many Aussies who took out a loan at the top of their borrowing capacity are now finding themselves with a mortgage that’s pushing their budget to its limits.

“When you layer home loan repayments on top of everything else – groceries, energy bills, insurance and more – the costs quickly add up.

“Homeowners are having to make some tough decisions – cutting back on essentials, dipping into emergency savings, or postponing major life plans just to keep up with their repayments.” 

Last month, 37 per cent of homeowners said they struggled to pay their mortgage, according to Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker.

Whitten warned if rates increase next year, anyone who’s already stretched will feel the pinch immediately.

“Shaving even half a per cent off your interest rate can save you thousands of dollars.”