. While interest rates are expected to remain low, the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) announced it was making it tougher to get home loans. APRA has told banks that it has increased the minimum interest rate buffer from 0.0 per cent to 0 per cent. This will bring down the amount that people can borrow. For those looking for a commercial property, there has been much interest in a vacant block - and former carpark - that has come on the market in one of Newcastle's most famous eat streets, Beaumont Street Hamilton. Its your for around $0 million. 