Mark Bristow is RateCity's Home & Personal Finances Editor, and an experienced analyst, researcher, and producer. While primarily focused on Australian mortgage and home loan expertise, he has experience across energy, home and travel insurances. Mark has been a journalist and writer in the financial space for over ten years, previously researching and writing commercial real estate at CoreLogic. In the years since, Mark has worked for the Winning Group, Expedia, and has seen articles published at Lifehacker and Business Insider.
1028 articles written by Mark Bristow
Some of the top-rated home loans for refinancers and investors in October 2023
With Australians reportedly putting more of their income towards their mortgage than any other developed nation on the planet, it’s little wonder that so many of us are looking to refinance. But with high levels of refinancing activity leading several lenders to withdraw some of their most competitive home loan discounts and cashback incentives, is it still possible to find a good home loan deal?
Mark Bristow -
17 Oct, 2023 -
3 min read
Heritage home renovations explained
Buying and renovating an older property can be an affordable and satisfying way to improve your quality of life at home, or to add more value to an investment. However, renovating a home old enough to qualify for heritage listing can bring with it a whole set of new complications. Be prepared for extra work and hassle, but also extra satisfaction!
Mark Bristow -
17 Oct, 2023 -
4 min read
How to apply for a personal loan
If you need money for a personal project like a renovation, an event like a wedding or a holiday, or a major purchase like a car, you may be in the market for a personal loan. But before you start firing off applications, it’s important to get an idea of what to look for in a personal loan, and how the application process works.
Mark Bristow -
16 Oct, 2023 -
7 min read
Energy experts concerned about El Nino summer: Are your air conditioners and appliances covered?
Australian energy experts are worried that heatwaves this summer could push the nation’s power grid to the limit. With many of us relying on air conditioners to stay cool, can we be confident that our household appliances are covered by insurance if disaster strikes?
Mark Bristow -
11 Oct, 2023 -
4 min read
What is a home insurance premium?
Your home insurance premium is what you pay your insurance provider for covering your home under their home insurance policy. It is calculated based on the type of coverage you choose for your home as well as any additional coverage you buy for either your possessions or specific incidents.
Mark Bristow -
10 Oct, 2023 -
5 min read
Can I have two insurance policies on one car?
It’s possible to have two or more car insurance policies on a single vehicle, such as to provide different types of coverage for a wide variety of situations. However, you can’t legally claim on two different car insurance policies for the same vehicle.
Mark Bristow -
10 Oct, 2023 -
3 min read
Can you get same-day car insurance?
While you can buy car insurance the same day you purchase a vehicle, the coverage may not always take effect immediately. It’s important to know whether any waiting periods may apply, so you aren’t unknowingly driving around without an active car insurance policy.
Mark Bristow -
10 Oct, 2023 -
2 min read
Home loan cashbacks: will you qualify for up to $10k when you refinance?
Higher living costs mean that Australians looking to buy or refinance a home may be keen to offset some of their loan costs with a mortgage cashback deal. But with only a limited number of home loan cashbacks available, it’s important to compare your options and work out if you fulfil the offer’s terms and conditions.
Mark Bristow -
09 Oct, 2023 -
5 min read
Some of the top-rated term deposits in October 2023
It’s not yet certain if Australia’s cash rate has already reached its peak, or if one more rate rise may be required before the end of the year to help push inflation back down into the RBA’s target band. But if inflation does slow down, you may find that the right term deposit can make a much bigger impact on your savings goals.
Mark Bristow -
06 Oct, 2023 -
2 min read
Some of the top-rated personal loans in October 2023
The latest lending indicators from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) saw the value of new loan commitments for fixed term personal finance rise 6.1% in August, following a rise of 6.0% in July 2023.
Mark Bristow -
06 Oct, 2023 -
2 min read