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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.

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

Which bank is best for first home loans?
Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

How does the interest rate affect mortgage payments?

If you’ve taken out a variable rate home loan and the interest rate changes, your monthly repayment amount will change. Understand how this works.

Home Loans

03 Mar, 2023

5 min read

How does the interest rate affect mortgage payments?
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Why lenders may use exposure limits to curb the size of your mortgage

Exposure limits are the maximum amounts that lenders will let you borrow, taking all your current debts into account. For property investors taking out a mortgage when they’re already paying off others, debt exposure can be a dealbreaker.

Home Loans

02 Mar, 2023

5 min read

Why lenders may use exposure limits to curb the size of your mortgage
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

How to get multiple mortgages for investment properties

Investing in real estate can let you benefit from rental income today and potentially capital gains in the future if your investment property’s value increases. The more investment properties you add to your portfolio, the more of these benefits you could potentially enjoy.

Home Loans

28 Feb, 2023

7 min read

How to get multiple mortgages for investment properties
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Can you buy a house with a reverse mortgage?

Unlike a typical home loan, a reverse mortgage is often taken out by people who already own a home. A reverse mortgage allows equity in the home to be unlocked and used on other expenses, but it may not be easy or even possible to buy a home with a reverse mortgage. 

Home Loans

23 Feb, 2023

4 min read

Can you buy a house with a reverse mortgage?
Peter Terlato

Personal Finance Editor

How to lower your mortgage repayments

You can lower repayments by negotiating, refinancing and making extra payments. Understanding your choices and alternatives can provide a solid foundation from which to seek out the best opportunity.

Home Loans

22 Feb, 2023

6 min read

How to lower your mortgage repayments
Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

Who needs a commercial mortgage broker?

If you’re currently in the market for a commercial mortgage, having an experienced commercial mortgage broker on your team can help you get a great deal. They can also help guide you through the process, saving you precious time.

Home Loans

21 Feb, 2023

5 min read

Who needs a commercial mortgage broker?
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Can you convert a personal loan to a home loan?

If you are juggling multiple debts, one way to simplify your finances is by consolidating your debts into a single loan. Converting from a personal loan to home loan can result in a more affordable, single loan under certain conditions.

Home Loans

21 Feb, 2023

4 min read

Can you convert a personal loan to a home loan?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

5 main home loan features you should consider

When you begin your search for a home loan there is a lot to take into consideration. It's not simply about finding the cheapest home loan rate, although this will play into your final decision. We've put together a list of the most important home loan factors to help you choose the right home loan for you.

Home Loans

17 Feb, 2023

4 min read

5 main home loan features you should consider
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What makes a good home loan?

Finding the perfect home loan is no easy feat but a search worth investing in. Knowing what rates and features make a good home loan will help steer you down the right path.

Home Loans

17 Feb, 2023

7 min read

What makes a good home loan?
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

What's the minimum deposit for a home loan in Australia?

How much a bank may be willing to lend you to buy a property will depend on a range of factors, including your income, household expenses, savings, other debts, credit score, and the size of your deposit. In most cases, a lender will offer an 80 per cent LVR (Loan to Value Ratio) home loan, meaning they’ll lend 80 per cent of your home’s value, and you need to pay the remaining deposit of 20 per cent. 

Home Loans

16 Feb, 2023

5 min read

What's the minimum deposit for a home loan in Australia?