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.
1039 articles written by Mark Bristow
Who pays the mortgage when separated?
Separation is never easy, and the financial questions may be the last thing on your mind. However, bills and mortgage payments will continue, which leads to the question: Who pays the mortgage when you’re separated?
Mark Bristow -
29 Jun, 2023 -
5 min read
Can a credit card help build your credit file and credit score?
Building up your credit score from scratch can make a big difference to your financial future. While you may not need to borrow money to start your credit history, successfully applying for a credit card and managing its payments could potentially make a big difference to your credit score in a relatively short length of time.
Mark Bristow -
23 Jun, 2023 -
4 min read
How can young people start building their credit history?
Just as a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, an excellent credit score can begin when you’re young. Your track record of managing money can have long-lasting repercussions later in life, making it important for young Australians to start building positive credit habits as soon as they are able.
Mark Bristow -
20 Jun, 2023 -
5 min read
Should you start building your credit while in university?
University can be a time of when you start to fully realise your potential. This includes your financial future, which may involve establishing your credit history.
Mark Bristow -
16 Jun, 2023 -
4 min read
Some of the top-rated home loans for investors and refinancers in June 2023
As we approach the middle of the year, many Australians may be facing the fixed rate mortgage cliff. Australians looking to refinance the mortgage on their family home or investment properly may need to compare different options to find a mortgage option that should suit their needs.
Mark Bristow -
16 Jun, 2023 -
3 min read
Who is still offering low-rate home loans after the June 2023 rate hike?
While the 12th increase to the national cash rate in 14 months may not yet have brought inflation down to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) target band, it is reportedly affecting the borrowing power of Australia’s home buyers and refinancers.
Mark Bristow -
14 Jun, 2023 -
3 min read
Which banks have hiked savings account and term deposit rates in June 2023?
At its June 2023 meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board pushed the national cash rate up to 4.10%; the highest it’s been since April 2012. While these hikes are putting borrowers under increased pressure as their borrowing power shrinks, some savers may be able to benefit from rising savings rates that could make it easier to increase their wealth.
Mark Bristow -
13 Jun, 2023 -
4 min read
What you need to know about refinancing for debt consolidation
If you already have a home loan, and also owe money on credit cards, personal loans or car loans, you may be figuratively drowning in debt. Juggling the repayments on multiple loans can be challenging at the best of times, and if your financial circumstances were to suddenly change, such as if you lost your job or suffered a prolonged illness, you could be at real risk of defaulting on one or more debts.
Mark Bristow -
05 Jun, 2023 -
6 min read
Some of the best home loans in June 2023
With new figures indicating that inflation may be proving more stubborn than expected, more rate rises could arrive sooner or later this calendar year. Borrowers may need to look beyond the interest rates and compare the other fees, features and benefits of different home loans to find the mortgage that best suits their needs.
Mark Bristow -
02 Jun, 2023 -
3 min read
What to expect from the RBA meeting in June 2023
While there is a possibility that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) could deliver another interest rate increase at its June 2023 meeting due to stubborn inflation, some major banks are predicting that the next rate hike won’t materialise until later in the year, if at all.
Mark Bristow -
02 Jun, 2023 -
6 min read