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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.

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Paying off your mortgage vs investing

Should you pay off your mortgage or put more money into other investments? Explore the options before making your decision.

Home Loans

02 Feb, 2023

4 min read

Paying off your mortgage vs investing
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What should be on your home loan checklist?

Do you know your offset option from your redraw facility? Home loans come with so many features that it can be confusing to get your head around what you will need and what you can live without, particularly if you are a first home buyer.

Home Loans

02 Feb, 2023

5 min read

What should be on your home loan checklist?
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Can you get a home loan on a visa?

It is possible to get a home loan in Australia if you’re on a visa, though the process could be more complex than for Australian citizens and permanent residents. Understanding some of the requirements for a mortgage with a visa could help you to compare your options and make a decision that suits your needs.

Home Loans

31 Jan, 2023

4 min read

Can you get a home loan on a visa?
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Should you buy or rent your home?

Ask a group of Australians whether it’s better to rent or buy a home and you will get a different opinion from each one of them. Phrases like “safe as houses” and “rent money is dead money” may be thrown around, while others balk at the prospect of decades of housing debt.

Home Loans

31 Jan, 2023

9 min read

Should you buy or rent your home?
Peter Terlato

Personal Finance Editor

Can you get a home equity loan with low income?

A home equity loan allows you to borrow against the equity in your home. But you need to be earning enough to qualify for one, as lenders want to ensure you can comfortably repay the additional amount you borrow on top of your original mortgage.

Home Loans

31 Jan, 2023

4 min read

Can you get a home equity loan with low income?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What are capped rate home loans?

Capped rate home loans provide extra security of a variable interest rate without locking in a fixed rate. You can be rewarded by capped rate home loans if the variable rate is reduced so your repayments will be less money.

Home Loans

27 Jan, 2023

3 min read

What are capped rate home loans?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Guide to buying a rental property with a home equity loan

If you’re considering buying a rental property, you could use the equity in your own home to secure a loan. Learn more about how to plan before you do this.

Home Loans

27 Jan, 2023

3 min read

Guide to buying a rental property with a home equity loan
Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

Can you refinance a reverse mortgage to a conventional loan?

You likely can’t refinance a reverse mortgage to a conventional loan, but you could refinance your reverse mortgage to get more cash or save on interest.

Home Loans

24 Jan, 2023

4 min read

Can you refinance a reverse mortgage to a conventional loan?
Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

Home Equity Loan: Advantages and Disadvantages

A home equity loan has its disadvantages and advantages. If you’re looking to borrow against your house, check the pros and cons of taking on a home equity loan before you go ahead.

Home Loans

24 Jan, 2023

4 min read

Home Equity Loan: Advantages and Disadvantages
Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

What is the First Home Owner Grant?

A state-wise guide to the First Home Owner Grant and stamp duty concessions available to first home buyers in Australia.

Home Loans

24 Jan, 2023

10 min read

First Home Owners Grant | First Home Buyers Grant
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Should I continue repaying a mortgage if I am not on the title?

If you are a named owner listed on a mortgage, you are responsible for repaying it whether or not your name is on the title. Find out your responsibilities.

Home Loans

23 Jan, 2023

4 min read

Should I continue repaying a mortgage if I am not on the title?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How does a lump sum payment on a home loan help you?

You’re probably keen to repay your home loan as quickly as possible. Find out how making a lump sum payment on a home loan can help you achieve that goal.

Home Loans

23 Jan, 2023

3 min read

How does a lump sum payment on a home loan help you?