How to buy a home and start investing in property

Once upon a time, every Australian might have had their eyes on the nuclear family with two and a half children and the house with the red door.

How to take advantage of record low mortgage rates

The RBA’s decision to leave the cash rate on hold at 2 per cent for the 10th month in a row is unsurprising, to say the least, but little comfort for mortgage holders struggling to get ahead on their home loan repayments. One of the best ways to prepare for an increase in rates is to switch to one of the lowest interest rates on the market and put the savings you make towards additional repayments on your loan. Not only will this help pay down your loan faster, it will also reduce the amount of interest you pay your bank over the life of your loan by tens of thousands of dollars.

It's time to be water wise as water costs climb

RateCity has put together a list of our top 15 water saving times in time for summer.

Australia's pension system ranks high but has a hazy future

Australia is a world leader when it comes to the aged pension but that doesn't mean there's not room for improvement. As we live longer and our ageing population continues to rise, experts warn that our first-class pension system will deteriorate under the added strain if changes aren't made.

Investors get cold feet as banks put the squeeze on interest

September ABS figures showed that the investment housing commitments fell by a whopping 8.5 percent (seasonally adjusted) or $1.24 billion, from the previous month. The drop in investor borrowing is largely, if not solely, but to the introduction of different interest rates for investors and owner-occupiers, a practice which has been taken up by half the market already.

Reserve Bank unlikely to cut the cash rate _ just yet

A number of key economic indicators are pointing to a rate cut this month, but experts agree that the RBA is likely to take a 'wait and see' approach.

Simple ideas for adding value to your home

Whether you’re planning to sell now or simply want to keep your options open in the long-term, adding value to your home over time is a smart move for any homeowner.

Four property investment myths

Just under 8 percent of the Australian population owns an investment property, according to the Australian taxation Office, although a much higher proportion considers it – or ends up selling up and giving up on the dream of being a landlord.

How to make the most of low interest rates

With Australia’s official cash rate at a 53-year historical low of 2.5 percent, Australian home owners are enjoying lower mortgage repayments than ever.

Are SMSFs driving up property prices?

Property has long been a popular investment strategy for Australians. However, increased investment activity in residential property by self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) is worrying regulators amid concerns it may be pushing up house prices.