Most economists seem to believe that the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut rates again over the next 12 months due to rising unemployment. 

Variable home loan rates are currently at around 5 per cent, the lowest in almost 50 years.

Earlier this month, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia raised its variable rate by 10 basis points, blaming higher funding costs.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that more than 125,000 home owners fixed their mortgage rate into rates of more than eight per cent in the 12 months to August 2008.  Then rates fell 4 per cent, leaving the fixed rate home owners feeling trapped.