--- title: "RBA Rate Rise: Why Price Certainty Matters for Off-the-Plan Buyers" description: The RBA raised the cash rate to 4.60% on 29 September 2026. Learn what the decision means for Melbourne off-the-plan buyers and price certainty. image: https://blog.norus.com.au/hubfs/EPIC%20Blog.jpg --- [Skip to the main content.](https://blog.norus.com.au/rba-rate-rise-offtheplan-price-certainty#main-content) [![Copy of NORUS BRANDING](https://blog.norus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Norus%20Projects/Copy%20of%20NORUS%20BRANDING.png?width=500&height=125&name=Copy%20of%20NORUS%20BRANDING.png "Copy of NORUS BRANDING")](https://www.norus.com.au) [![Copy of NORUS BRANDING (1)](https://blog.norus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20NORUS%20BRANDING%20(1).png?width=500&height=125&name=Copy%20of%20NORUS%20BRANDING%20(1).png "Copy of NORUS BRANDING (1)")](https://www.norus.com.au) - [Projects](https://www.norus.com.au/sanctuary_sandringham) - [Norus | Beach Point](https://www.norus.com.au/beach_point) - [Norus | Parkview](https://www.norus.com.au/park_view) - [Norus | Riverbend](https://www.norus.com.au/riverbend_ivanhoe) - [Norus | Sanctuary Sandringham](https://www.norus.com.au/sanctuary_sandringham) - [About](https://www.norus.com.au/about) - [Construction Updates](https://www.norus.com.au/construction_progress) - [Completed Projects](https://www.norus.com.au/completed_projects) - [Blog](https://blog.norus.com.au) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu - [Projects *Toggle Menu*](https://www.norus.com.au/sanctuary_sandringham) - [Norus | Beach Point](https://www.norus.com.au/beach_point) - [Norus | Parkview](https://www.norus.com.au/park_view) - [Norus | Riverbend](https://www.norus.com.au/riverbend_ivanhoe) - [Norus | Sanctuary Sandringham](https://www.norus.com.au/sanctuary_sandringham) - [About](https://www.norus.com.au/about) - [Construction Updates](https://www.norus.com.au/construction_progress) - [Completed Projects](https://www.norus.com.au/completed_projects) - [Blog](https://blog.norus.com.au) [*Facebook*](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554483013407) [*Instagram*](https://www.instagram.com/norus.projects/) [*LinkedIn*](https://blog.norus.com.au/rba-rate-rise-offtheplan-price-certainty#0) [*Twitter*](https://blog.norus.com.au/rba-rate-rise-offtheplan-price-certainty#0) [*Youtube*](https://blog.norus.com.au/rba-rate-rise-offtheplan-price-certainty#0) [*Medium*](https://blog.norus.com.au/rba-rate-rise-offtheplan-price-certainty#0) 4 min read # RBA Rate Rise: Why Price Certainty Matters for Off-the-Plan Buyers [Norus Blog](https://blog.norus.com.au/author/norus-blog) : Published September 29, 2026 [News](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/news) [property market](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/property-market) [interest rates](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/interest-rates) [Off-the-Plan Property](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/off-the-plan-property) [Property Investment](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/property-investment) ![RBA Rate Rise: Why Price Certainty Matters for Off-the-Plan Buyers](https://blog.norus.com.au/hubfs/EPIC%20Blog.jpg) On 29 September 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia increased the cash rate target by 25 basis points from 4.35% to 4.60%. For home buyers, the increase may affect borrowing conditions and how much some people can borrow. However, it does not mean buyers have run out of options. Instead, it makes choosing the right property, price and settlement timeframe even more important. For buyers considering an off-the-plan apartment, it can be a valuable advantage to know the purchase price today while having time to prepare financially before settlement. **Rates moved. Your apartment price doesn’t have to.** ## **A Rate Rise Changes One Part of the Buying Decision** The [RBA](https://www.rba.gov.au/media-releases/2026/mr-26-27.html)said inflation remained too high and some upside risks to inflation had materialised when it announced the September increase. For prospective buyers, the useful question is not what interest rates might do next. It is what you can control now. You may not control RBA decisions, lender rates or future market conditions, but you can make informed decisions about: - your budget and deposit - the apartment you choose - the price you agree to pay - your expected settlement timeframe - how you prepare financially before settlement This is where buying off the plan can offer a different pathway from purchasing an established home. ## **Why Off-the-Plan Can Be Worth Considering** When buying an off-the-plan apartment under a fixed-price contract, the agreed purchase price is generally established when you sign, subject to the terms of the contract. That means if interest rates or property market conditions change while the project is being built, those changes do not automatically change the apartment price written into your contract. For buyers trying to plan ahead, having that known purchase price can be useful. There is also usually a period between signing your contract and settling on the completed apartment. Rather than needing to complete the full purchase within a short settlement period, buyers can use the construction period to continue preparing. Depending on your circumstances, that could mean building savings, reviewing your household budget, organising financial documents and staying in regular contact with your broker or lender. ## **There May Also Be a Stamp Duty Advantage** Buyers considering off-the-plan property currently have another reason to understand their options. Victoria's temporary off-the-plan stamp duty concession is available for eligible apartment and townhouse contracts entered into before 21 April 2027. For eligible purchases, construction costs incurred after the contract date can be deducted when determining the property's dutiable value. This means the stage at which an eligible buyer purchases can make a difference to the stamp duty calculation. The amount varies depending on the property, construction progress and individual circumstances, so buyers should confirm their eligibility and estimated duty with their solicitor or conveyancer. ## **What This Means at Parkview Burwood and Riverbend Ivanhoe** For buyers looking at current Norus Projects opportunities, Parkview Burwood and Riverbend Ivanhoe are both examples of off-the-plan apartments already progressing through construction, with both currently expected to complete in 2027. At [Parkview Burwood](https://www.norus.com.au/park_view), structural works are continuing as the building rises, with September works progressing through the level 3 slab and building services beginning to move into the construction program. At [Riverbend Ivanhoe](https://www.norus.com.au/riverbend_ivanhoe), construction is further advanced, with windows, roofing and internal apartment finishes now forming part of the works underway. For prospective buyers, that creates a practical middle ground. You are not purchasing a home that is years away from completion, but you can still access the benefits associated with buying before construction is finished. That can mean agreeing on your apartment purchase price now while using the remaining construction period to prepare for settlement. Current Norus Projects opportunities start from $419,000, giving buyers different price points and apartment options to explore. ## **Focus on What You Can Plan Around** A rate increase does not necessarily mean putting your property plans aside. It can be an opportunity to look more carefully at the way you buy. For some buyers, an established home with a shorter settlement will suit their plans. For others, an off-the-plan apartment may offer a useful combination of price certainty, time to prepare and potential stamp duty benefits. The important thing is to choose an apartment and purchase price that work for your circumstances rather than trying to predict what interest rates or the property market will do next. **Rates can move. Your plans can still move forward.** Explore current apartments at [Parkview Burwood](https://www.norus.com.au/park_view) and [Riverbend Ivanhoe](https://www.norus.com.au/riverbend_ivanhoe), book a private inspection with the Norus Projects team to find an option that suits your budget and plans.   ### Register Your Interest In Norus Projects Apartments and Townhouses. Just enter your details below. Loading...   \*Terms and Conditions apply to any promotions and information that may be contained within this communication. Promotions may end at any time without notice and at a maximum will not be available for more than 14 days from the date of commencement. Only one promotion can be used per purchase and can not be used in conjunction with any other promotions. Prices and other values and information may change at any time without notice. For any government grants, concessions, programs, taxes, levies or duties, please refer to the relevant government websites for further information. The information contained herein is given for general information purposes only and it is subject to change. Readers, viewers and consumers are advised to perform their own research and investigations and obtain their own financial, legal and other advice. The information and materials do not form any representation by any vendors or agents of any vendors and may include third-party opinions that do not represent the opinion of any vendor or agent. They do not form part of any contract of sale and they do not constitute legal, financial, real estate or other advice and must not be regarded or relied upon as such. 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Prospective purchasers or lessees are advised to not to rely on the information contained herein and to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of all information given by making their own inspections, searches, inquiries and advises or as is otherwise necessary. The vendor or its agents or representatives will not be responsible for any error or misdescription which may appear. Further, the vendor or the developer or their agents or representatives do not represent, warrant and/or guarantee that the integrity of this communication has been maintained or that the communication is free of errors, virus, interception or interference. Usage of this or any other websites and materials and any associated website or material is subject to further terms and conditions. Further terms and conditions apply. 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