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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.

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

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

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

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

Home loans ranked 'poor' when it comes to switching

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Why it's important to have insurance if you have a mortgage

How would you pay off your mortgage and other debts if something terrible happened to the main breadwinner in your household? It's important to have insurance if you have a mortgage. As most of us don't have a bundle of money tucked away or tied up in investments, how would you or your beneficiaries cope with paying off a home loan?

Home Loans

18 Aug, 2010

3 min read

Why it's important to have insurance if you have a mortgage

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

What's your plan of attack for mortgage season?

Spring time; it's not only birds that start to fluff their nests, but it also marks the start of mortgage season. As winter comes to an end, history proves that spring is the time when borrowers take out more home loans to purchase and build properties. So if you're in the market for a home, make sure you're prepared for the busy mortgage season ahead

Home Loans

16 Aug, 2010

3 min read

What's your plan of attack for mortgage season?

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Oh baby! Why you should plan ahead for your home loan

Are you in the market for a home loan? RateCity investigates how having kids can affect mortgage applications in the US and if this could affect you. According to an article in The New York Times mortgage lenders in the US are getting tougher on prospective borrowers planning to expand their brood by further tightening mortgage lending criteria.

Home Loans

06 Aug, 2010

3 min read

Oh baby! Why you should plan ahead for your home loan

RateCity

The pros and cons of investment property

Property is a popular investment choice for Australians but deciding if it is the right place to invest your hard-earned money can be a difficult one. Consider the pros and cons before you dive head-first into a long-term investment.

Home Loans

07 Jul, 2010

2 min read

The pros and cons of investment property

RateCity

Standard variable credit card rates

The average standard variable rate can be described as the average of the standard variable rates of the major four banks. What are the benefits of a standard variable rate home loan?

Home Loans

07 Jul, 2010

1 min read