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Learn more about how to manage your personal finances with RateCity's home loan articles, including how-to-guides on comparing home loan interest rates, fees, features and other benefits.

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

How borrowers can beat the imminent rate rise

If you have a home loan or considering taking out one, there are steps that home owners can implement now that will not only help them take advantage of the current stable rates, but also prepare them for any rate increases before the year is out.

Home Loans

13 Oct, 2010

3 min read

How borrowers can beat the imminent rate rise

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Refinancing at the right time can save you $63,000

Refinancing your mortgage can be a great option for those whose circumstances may have changed since applying for the loan, such as welcoming another member to your family or a decrease in your salary. Other reasons why someone may refinance their home loan can include

Home Loans

08 Oct, 2010

3 min read

Refinancing at the right time can save you $63,000

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Five steps to owning your own home sooner

In order to buy the home of your dreams this mortgage season, you need the right mortgage. RateCity has compiled five ways to help you choose the best home loan to suit your lifestyle. Compare intro loans to variable loans. Intro rate home loans are generally targeted at first home buyers because of their lower interest rates for usually the first 12 months

Home Loans

08 Oct, 2010

4 min read

Five steps to owning your own home sooner

RateCity

Finding the best home loan for you

Your home is a direct result of your home loan so it's imperative to place as much importance on finding a loan that fits your budget and lifestyle, as it is to find your ideal home.

Home Loans

06 Oct, 2010

4 min read

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Getting ready for a rate rise

If and when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announces that the official cash rate will increase, there are a number of strategies that borrowers can implement to prepare for a rate rise. In order to better prepare for a rate rise, we've prepared a few suggestions for Australian borrowers.

Home Loans

06 Oct, 2010

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Is rent really dead money or are you better off buying?

It can be difficult to gauge if you will be better off buying or renting. For some people buying a home is simply not an option, but for those that can afford it, it is worth looking into both options. RateCity compared the difference between the average rental prices with the average mortgage repayments in Australia's five capital cities based on the current average standard variable rate of 7.05 percent for a 25-year loan term.

Home Loans

04 Oct, 2010

3 min read

Is rent really dead money or are you better off buying?

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Stay away from Mortgage Stress Street

While buying a home is an exciting and pivotal time in your life, it can also be very stressful. Interest rate rises, the higher cost of living and unemployment all impact the level of mortgage stress that households may feel, pushing some borrowers off Struggle Street and into Mortgage Stress Street.

Home Loans

04 Oct, 2010

3 min read

Patricia Babalis

Try before you buy home loans

Try before you buy home loans? Surely not! That's right folks there actually are Australian home loans that allow you to rent the property you are interested in buying, before you actually sign the dotted line.

Home Loans

28 Sep, 2010

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Should property investors keep away from mortgage season?

Historically, spring is the busiest time for first home buyers with a rise in the number of applications for home loans, but is this the best time for investors to jump on the bandwagon? With rental prices on the rise it is a good time for investors to take advantage of the current market conditions.

Home Loans

24 Sep, 2010

3 min read

Should property investors keep away from mortgage season?

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

In two minds about your home loan rate? Split it!

In two minds about your home loan rate? Most Australian's like having options but when making a decision on something as important as a home loan we can feel awfully pressured to make the right decision. Perhaps a split home loan may be just the option for home loan borrowers, and fence-sitters alike.

Home Loans

22 Sep, 2010

3 min read

Why you might want to consider a split home loan

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Warning to first home buyers: Beware of appealing home loans

Financial institutions have regained confidence in borrowers, with lenders offering loans with very high loan-to-value ratios for the first time since the global financial crisis. As well as this loan, Mortgage House also has a 99 percent LVR mortgage that they launched in August. Westpac has also raised its LVR for new customers on some of its home loans by 5 percent to 92 percent.

Home Loans

22 Sep, 2010

3 min read

Warning to first home buyers Beware of appealing home loans!

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Get the best of both worlds and split your mortgage

There are rumours that the cash rate could increase towards the end of the year or early next year. If these rumours turn out to be true, the decision on whether borrowers should fix or not could be a little easier, that is if you choose to split your loan.

Home Loans

15 Sep, 2010

3 min read