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mark-bristow

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

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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.

1009 articles written by Mark Bristow

Home Loans

Should I pay off my mortgage early?

Paying off your mortgage early may not always be easy, but there may be benefits to consider, such as saving money on interest charges. 

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

22 Jun, 2022 -

4 min read

Home Loans

Credit scores can affect your home loan application - what you need to know

It’s important to get your finances in order before applying for a home loan. As well as thinking about your income, expenses, assets and liabilities, you may want to also consider your credit score, as this could affect how quickly our application gets assessed, and even whether you’ll be eligible for a some home loan products.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

22 Jun, 2022 -

4 min read

Home Loans

Do you need good credit for a home equity loan?

A home equity loan could be a useful option for accessing money when you’ve previously paid extra onto your mortgage or the value of your home has grown. But could you run into trouble if your credit score isn’t the best? 

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

21 Jun, 2022 -

4 min read

Home Loans

Some of the best home loans for investors and refinancers in June 2022

Variable interest rates are likely to rise further before the year is out, with the RBA governor committing to “do what it takes” to get inflation under control. This could put more pressure on some Australian investors and refinancers, making it more important to compare available mortgage offers.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

21 Jun, 2022 -

3 min read

Home Loans

Mortgage redraw vs personal loan

Australians wanting to access finance to pay for personal projects may have several options available to them. Australians who are also home owners may have extra choices to consider, such as deciding between applying for a personal loan or using the redraw facility from their mortgage.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

16 Jun, 2022 -

4 min read

Car Loans

Can you have more than one car loan at the same time?

If you’re thinking of turning your home into a two-car household, you may need finance to afford that second set of wheels. But is it possible to hold two or more car loans at once, and what effects could this have on your finances?

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

16 Jun, 2022 -

4 min read

Home Loans

NSW to scrap stamp duty: what this means for first home buyers

The New South Wales (NSW) state government is reportedly planning to overhaul stamp duty at its upcoming state budget, and introduce an ongoing land tax as an alternative. So what could this mean for everyone eagerly awaiting a chance to get onto the first rung of the property ladder?

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

14 Jun, 2022 -

5 min read

Home Loans

How to understand home loan mortgage statements

A mortgage statement is a document provided by your lender that contains various details about your home loan, including how much of your loan you have repaid and how much is remaining. It will also include additional information, such as your interest rate, and how much money you’re saving in interest charges thanks to your offset account. Therefore, it is important to understand your mortgage statement clearly.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

10 Jun, 2022 -

5 min read

Home Loans

How high will the RBA hike rates in June: here's what the big four banks think

Many economists are tipping that back-to-back rate hikes may be the results of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) upcoming June 2022 meeting. But how high is the cash rate likely to rise this month? Here’s what the  big four banks think. 

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

06 Jun, 2022 -

4 min read

Home Loans

Some of the best home loans in June 2022

With interest rates having increased following the May 2022 cash rate hike, and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) potentially looking to raise rates further in the future, it’s important to compare and carefully consider your options before applying for a new home loan or refinancing an existing mortgage.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

02 Jun, 2022 -

3 min read