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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

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

Patricia Babalis

Do you have to pay home loan exit fees?

In July 2011 home loan exit fees were abolished, except for any home loans that were signed prior to this date. To find out if your home loan has any exit fees contact your mortgage lender.

Home Loans

07 Jul, 2010

2 min read

RateCity

The strong Australian home loan market

The home loan market in Australia is very competitive and because of the size of the home loan market and the competition from lenders, you are more likely to have a better chance of finding a home loan with a lower interest rate and a type of mortgage that will suit your budget and lifestyle.

Home Loans

06 Jul, 2010

1 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

ASIC to crack down on early exit mortgage fees

RateCity looks into the Australian Securities and Investment Commission's planned crackdown on early exit fees for mortgages and what this new proposal means for you.

Home Loans

05 Jul, 2010

3 min read

ASIC to crack down on early exit mortgage fees

RateCity

In the market for an investment property?

Buying a property to rent out is a popular form of investment in Australia. If you like the idea of being able to physically see and touch your investment then this might your preferred choice of investment but make sure you find a suitable investment home loan that's going to suit your specific needs.

Home Loans

01 Jul, 2010

2 min read

In the market for an investment property?

Kate Cowling

Take advantage of falling Australian bank fees

There is no way of avoiding bank fees but you can certainly keep them at a minimum if you spend, save and pay smart.

Home Loans

01 Jul, 2010

2 min read

Take advantage of falling Australian bank fees

RateCity

Find a high LVR lender for home loan deposits under 20%

Are you eager to get into the Australian housing market but don't have the required 20% deposit? If so, you will need find a lender offering a high loan-to-value ratio mortgage when applying for a home loan.

Home Loans

01 Jul, 2010

2 min read

Find a high LVR lender for home loan deposits under 20%

Kate Cowling

Save money by accelerating your home loan repayments

Has that pay rise got you stumped? For homeowners, there is a huge incentive to accelerate your repayments on your home loan because it could save you thousands in interest but there are a few things to consider before doing so, namely do you have any other outstanding debts?

Home Loans

29 Jun, 2010

2 min read