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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

Some of the best home loans in June 2021

The era of record-low fixed rates may be ending, with leading banks starting to increase the rates fixed home loans – first for 4 and 5-year fixed rates, and now for 2 and 3-year fixed rates. However, there are still mortgage deals available to Australians wanting to lock in a low rate, as well as other rewarding options.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

12 Jun, 2021 -

3 min read

Home Loans

Can I borrow money for stamp duty?

Stamp duty can be a significant cost to consider when buying a property. As well as your deposit and other fees and charges, stamp duty can add thousands of dollars to your upfront costs, depending on the value of the property. So it’s not surprising that some Australians look for alternative ways to manage this expense, such as borrowing money for stamp duty.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

11 Jun, 2021 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

You can now earn frequent flyer points on your personal loan

Most Australians are familiar with rewards credit cards, where you can earn points on your spending that can be redeemed for airline tickets or other benefits. But an Australian fintech may now allow Australians to earn reward points on personal loans.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

09 Jun, 2021 -

2 min read

Home Loans

What can count towards a home loan deposit?

The first step on many a home loan journey is saving up the deposit. Unfortunately, it’s often also a step that many borrowers struggle with, thanks to the high property prices in some Australian cities. Fortunately, there are several methods available to supplement your savings, so you can get your deposit together to buy your property sooner.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

09 Jun, 2021 -

6 min read

Home Loans

UBank cuts fixed rates for end of financial year home loan sale

Just in time for the end of the financial year, UBank has slashed fixed interest rates on selected home loan deals by up to 24 basis points, for borrowers who apply before 30 June 2021.

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Mark Bristow -

03 Jun, 2021 -

2 min read

Home Loans

What adds value to a house appraisal?

Thinking about selling your property? By making a few changes to enhance your property’s appeal to potential buyers, you may be able to maximise the house value at your real estate agent’s appraisal. This could help to set buyer expectations, leading to a higher sale price.

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Mark Bristow -

31 May, 2021 -

5 min read

Home Loans

What should I ask a lender when I apply for a home loan?

According to a recent survey, eighty-four per cent of Aussies who are yet to buy a property say they need to know more about financial products such as home loans, rates and deposits. With this in mind, it’s important to ask the right questions before you start filling out application forms.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

29 May, 2021 -

6 min read

Home Loans

Can a student get a home loan?

It is possible for students in Australia to get home loans, provided they can fulfil a mortgage lender’s eligibility requirements. This may not be easy for many students, who already have significant study commitments.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

28 May, 2021 -

4 min read

Home Loans

How to pay off your mortgage faster

Not a fan of being in debt? Here are a few tips that could help you get your home loan paid off sooner, so you can own your home or investment property outright, without a mortgage hanging over your head.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

27 May, 2021 -

4 min read

Home Loans

How to value a property for insurance

Home insurance can provide much-needed peace of mind by covering your property in case of accidents, damage, or other disasters. Plus, it’s often a necessary requirement when applying for a home loan with many lenders.

mark-bristow

Mark Bristow -

24 May, 2021 -

2 min read