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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.

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

What happens to a home loan when someone dies?

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

Parents paying your home loan deposit? This is the one risk you must know before applying

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

How to structure your mortgage to reduce interest

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

Can a mortgage broker charge a cancellation fee?

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

What do mortgage lenders look for in bank statements?

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

Can you make extra repayments on a fixed loan?

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

How to avoid overstretching your home loan budget

The more you can borrow for a home loan, the higher the property prices you may be able to afford. While this could let you purchase your dream home or investment property, pushing your finances too far could risk putting you in mortgage stress.

Home Loans

07 Mar, 2023

8 min read

How to avoid overstretching your home loan budget

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Which bank is best for first home loans?

Because a home loan is a major financial commitment, it makes sense to look for the best possible option for your first mortgage. To find the best mortgage lender for your needs, you may need to look beyond just the interest rates and consider each lender’s features and benefits, including their customer service.

Home Loans

06 Mar, 2023

6 min read