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.
1049 articles written by Mark Bristow
![](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220802/some-of-the-best-home-loans-in-august-2022-Y9u33T171.jpg)
Some of the best home loans in August 2022
Following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) decision to hike the national cash rate by 50 basis points at its August 2022 meeting, many owner occupiers and aspiring homeowners may be feeling concerned for their futures.
![mark-bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20241119/mark-b-ac-07-b-2-pr-y-4sZZkez7Y.jpg)
Mark Bristow -
02 Aug, 2022 -
3 min read
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Should I move or renovate? What makes more financial sense
It’s a decision that many an Australian homeowner has had to make – should you sink the time and money into fixing up your home, or pull up stumps and move elsewhere? The answer could depend on your plans for the property, your financial situation, and the personal goals you want to achieve.
![mark-bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20241119/mark-b-ac-07-b-2-pr-y-4sZZkez7Y.jpg)
Mark Bristow -
01 Aug, 2022 -
4 min read
![](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220704/rba-oBM6w3G3z.png)
What to expect from the RBA meeting in August 2022
With inflation high and unemployment low, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is being widely tipped to be planning another cash rate hike at its August 2022 meeting. But how much are rates likely to rise, and how long could this last?
![mark-bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20241119/mark-b-ac-07-b-2-pr-y-4sZZkez7Y.jpg)
Mark Bristow -
28 Jul, 2022 -
6 min read
![](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220728/buying-a-house-when-youre-unmarried-pxvoqHFnN.jpg)
Buying a house when you’re unmarried
When it comes to getting a home loan and buying property in Australia, there is usually no real difference between a married couple and a couple in a de facto relationship. That said, it’s still worth considering whether buying property when you’re unmarried is the best choice for your personal finances and your relationship.
![mark-bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20241119/mark-b-ac-07-b-2-pr-y-4sZZkez7Y.jpg)
Mark Bristow -
28 Jul, 2022 -
4 min read
![](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220728/how-to-choose-a-cryptocurrency-exchange-HkEEM4fqI.jpg)
How to choose a cryptocurrency exchange
Even if you’ve done your research and are confident you’ve found a crypto coin that’s heading straight to the moon, you’ll need to choose a cryptocurrency exchange to make your investment.
![mark-bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20241119/mark-b-ac-07-b-2-pr-y-4sZZkez7Y.jpg)
Mark Bristow -
28 Jul, 2022 -
3 min read
![](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220726/what-are-the-rules-of-a-home-equity-loan-RHJMcKSkW.jpg)
What are the rules of a home equity loan?
Accessing your equity can help you make the value of your property work for you, allowing you to enjoy more financial flexibility and reach your goals. But there may be rules and regulations to consider before applying for a home equity loan, which could affect your decisions.
![mark-bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20241119/mark-b-ac-07-b-2-pr-y-4sZZkez7Y.jpg)
Mark Bristow -
26 Jul, 2022 -
4 min read
![](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220725/how-do-couples-split-finances-r6bbEs6kk.jpg)
How do couples split finances?
Finance and romance don’t always go well together, with nearly three quarters of Australian couples clashing over money. There are several different methods available for couples to consider when splitting their finances, each with their advantages and disadvantages.
![mark-bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20241119/mark-b-ac-07-b-2-pr-y-4sZZkez7Y.jpg)
Mark Bristow -
25 Jul, 2022 -
4 min read
![](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220722/when-do-you-need-a-house-valuation-for-property-tax-cgPvOQchP.jpg)
When do you need a house valuation for property tax?
Becoming a property owner can have its advantages, but it can also mean paying taxes you may never have considered before. Getting a property valuation can help to make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax for your property.
![mark-bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20241119/mark-b-ac-07-b-2-pr-y-4sZZkez7Y.jpg)
Mark Bristow -
22 Jul, 2022 -
4 min read
![](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220722/personal-overdraft-vs-personal-loan-dUaeoV9De.jpg)
Personal overdraft vs personal loan
Different types of financial products can help you achieve a variety of personal goals, from managing your everyday expenses to covering the cost of a large purchase. A personal overdraft may be able to help Australians with several similar problems as a personal loan, so which one may be the best choice for you?
![mark-bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20241119/mark-b-ac-07-b-2-pr-y-4sZZkez7Y.jpg)
Mark Bristow -
22 Jul, 2022 -
4 min read
![](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220722/what-are-blue-chip-shares-HqvKmQA2s.jpg)
What are blue chip shares?
Named after what are traditionally the most expensive poker chips in a casino, blue chip stocks are generally thought of as some of the top options for investors to consider. So what gives a share “blue chip” status, and what can you expect from an investment in blue chip stocks?
![mark-bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20241119/mark-b-ac-07-b-2-pr-y-4sZZkez7Y.jpg)
Mark Bristow -
22 Jul, 2022 -
3 min read