THE 2009 MORTGAGE TRENDS REPORT

The fifth annual edition of the Genworth Financial Mortgage Trends Report provides unique and comprehensive insights into the changing attitudes of Australians regarding the mortgage and property market. Our 2009 Report surveyed over 2000 consumers and focuses on property ownership, entry into the property market, mortgage debt and consumers' plans for the future.

Highlights from the report include:

• Unemployment is a threat for 24% of our survey's respondents with 13% of borrowers having less than one month's mortgage repayments in reserve in the event they lose their job.
  
• Debt burdens have risen substantially in the first home buyer (FHB) segment, with the average loan size increasing by 6.4%. Report findings suggest some FHBs may be poorly prepared for what will probably be their biggest investment decision, with 24% of recent FHBs bringing forward their purchase to take advantage of government stimulus efforts.
  
• Positive sentiment towards brokers is growing, with the portion of non-property owners who would not consider using a broker falling from 26% in 2008 to only 3% in 2009.