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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.

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

Get the best of both worlds and split your mortgage

Kate Cowling

Be prepared for interest rate rises

Sometimes the dream of owning a new home can override our basic common sense when applying for a home loan. Taking out a home loan with repayments that are just within your budget doesn’t allow you much room for interest rate rises and this is where Aussie borrowers get in trouble.

Home Loans

14 Sep, 2010

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Borrowers warned to watch their mortgage rates

Last week, while the nation absorbed the news that Labor will remain in government, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced that the official cash rate would remain unchanged at 4.5 percent for the fourth consecutive month. However while this news is good for borrowers, mortgage holders, particularly first home buyers should be cautious of lenders increasing interest rates for home loans.

Home Loans

10 Sep, 2010

3 min read

Borrowers warned to watch their mortgage rates

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Sold! How to prepare for buying a home at auction

Buying a home at auction can not only be an exhilarating experience but it can also be a great way to nab yourself a property at a great price. Unlike other ways of buying property, buying at auction can offer other benefits, such as greater buying opportunities, an immediate result, a prepared mortgage, and unlike private sales you always know what the offers are.

Home Loans

08 Sep, 2010

3 min read

Sold! How to prepare for buying a home at auction

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Try before you buy your dream home

Trying before you buy a home, with an extended period to rent gives you the added bonus of having extra time to get your finances sorted in time for a home loan. If you decide that this option is for you or if you want to purchase property the old-fashioned way and are in the market for a mortgage, compare home loans online before making any decisions.

Home Loans

06 Sep, 2010

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

First home buyers could benefit from a home loan package

If you are a first home buyer, considering one of the major lenders through to the smaller brands is one of the toughest choices you will make when choosing a home loan. So why do so many Australians shop with one of the major banks, namely ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac?

Home Loans

06 Sep, 2010

3 min read

First home buyers could benefit from a home loan package

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Protect yourself from dodgy property cover ups

Some people will do almost anything they can to cover up major problems, especially if money comes into the equation. Take buying a house, for example. We have all heard of cases where the seller has covered up an issue for the purpose of selling their house at a higher price.

Home Loans

27 Aug, 2010

4 min read

Protect yourself from dodgy property cover ups

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Home loans ranked poor' when it comes to switching

Do you have a mortgage but want to ensure you have the best deal available? One way to achieve this is by switching loans to receive a better rate. But how is this even possible if some financial institutions make it so hard to make the change?

Home Loans

20 Aug, 2010

3 min read