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Home Loans Articles
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.
Peter Terlato
Personal Finance Editor
Do you need a home loan for a houseboat?
Despite being utilised as a home, a houseboat is unlikely to qualify for a mortgage in Australia. Home loans are generally reserved for fixed property. If you’re looking to borrow to buy a houseboat, you’ll more likely need to secure a personal loan.
Home Loans
21 Mar, 2023
3 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
A guide to single-parent home loans
If you’re a single parent with a single income, getting a home loan approved may seem daunting. However, being prepared and not rushing into a decision may help you get through the process with minimal stress. Spending some time doing your research and preparing your finances early can help make the process as smooth as possible.
Home Loans
20 Mar, 2023
5 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
How to find the right home loan when self-employed
While there may not be restrictions on the kinds of loan you can apply for as a self-employed borrower, you may have to work harder to prove to lenders that you can repay the home loan. It’s important to study all borrowing options available to you before choosing a mortgage, as the best home loan for a self-employed borrower may not be the best choice for another.
Home Loans
17 Mar, 2023
4 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
What is mortgage stress?
Mortgage stress is not the worried feeling you get when the news is constantly filled with speculation around housing affordability, property bubbles, or interest rate rises. Instead, mortgage stress can be broadly defined as when your household’s income doesn't adequately cover the cost of your mortgage and other expenses.
Home Loans
16 Mar, 2023
7 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
What happens to a home loan when someone dies?
Because a home loan is a considerable debt, most lenders won’t write it off if the borrower dies. Who inherits the debt and what options they have to repay it may vary depending on the exact circumstances.
Home Loans
16 Mar, 2023
3 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
What is a negative equity home loan?
When you buy a house or other property, you may expect its value to keep rising. However, there are certain conditions that could lead to the house and land value falling.
Home Loans
14 Mar, 2023
4 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
How to buy your first home
Ready to take the step from renter to home owner? It’s one of the biggest financial commitments you may ever make, so it’s important to get an understanding of the process involved before taking the plunge.
Home Loans
14 Mar, 2023
10 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
Parents paying your home loan deposit? This is the one risk you must know before applying
Is using a gift as a house deposit a feasible option to secure a mortgage? Find out whether your parents can help you with this.
Home Loans
10 Mar, 2023
5 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
How to structure your mortgage to reduce interest
Minimising the interest charged on your home loan can not only save you money on your repayments, but potentially help you pay less interest on your property in total. You may need to think about how your mortgage is structured and set up, as different home loan options may affect how your interest is charged and paid.
Home Loans
10 Mar, 2023
6 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
Can a mortgage broker charge a cancellation fee?
You normally don’t pay a fee for the services of a mortgage broker. However, if the broker does the work for you and you decide not to apply for a home loan, the broker may sometimes charge a cancellation fee. There are also other fees a broker may charge in certain circumstances.
Home Loans
09 Mar, 2023
3 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
What do mortgage lenders look for in bank statements?
When you’re applying for a home loan, you will need to send your bank statements to the lender. It’s a good idea to know what lenders are actually looking for when they go over your bank statements.
Home Loans
08 Mar, 2023
5 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
Can you make extra repayments on a fixed loan?
Not every fixed rate home loan will allow you to make extra repayments. So, what are your options if you want a fixed rate home loan and you want to make extra repayments?
Home Loans
07 Mar, 2023
4 min read
Trending articles
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
18 Sep, 2024
What is lending criteria? The factors that may impact eligibility criteria
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
10 Sep, 2024
The pros and cons of paying off your mortgage early vs buying an investment property
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
10 Sep, 2024
What do house valuers look for?
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