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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

What is the difference between a full doc and a low-doc loan?

Non-standard borrowers like those who are self-employed may not qualify for a traditional full doc home loan, but there are lenders who offer low-doc home loans that don’t require standard income documentation like payslips for approval.

Home Loans

06 Jul, 2022

5 min read

What is the difference between a full doc and a low-doc loan? | RateCity
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Why do lenders ask for payslips when you apply for a home loan?

Lenders use your payslips to verify your income to make sure you earn enough before approving you for a mortgage loan.

Home Loans

04 Jul, 2022

3 min read

Why do lenders ask for payslips when you apply for a home loan? | RateCity
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Credit scores can affect your home loan application - what you need to know

It’s important to get your finances in order before applying for a home loan. As well as thinking about your income, expenses, assets and liabilities, you may want to also consider your credit score, as this could affect how quickly our application gets assessed, and even whether you’ll be eligible for a some home loan products.

Home Loans

22 Jun, 2022

4 min read

Credit scores can affect your home loan application - what you need to know
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Can you finance two cars on one loan?

If you’re planning to buy two cars and need to finance your purchases, you may be wondering if you can buy two cars with one loan?

Home Loans

21 Jun, 2022

4 min read

Can you finance two cars on one loan? | RateCity
Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Introductory rate home loans

When you're comparing home loans, the ones with the lowest rates always jump out first. This is because banks usually offer a discounted rate for an introductory period to lure in the new customers.

Home Loans

20 Jun, 2022

4 min read

What is an introductory rate home loan?
Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

What are residential home loans?

There are two main reasons to purchase property; to live in the home as your primary place of residence or to rent it out as an investor. A residential home loan refers to the former of these mortgage purposes.

Home Loans

17 Jun, 2022

4 min read

What are residential home loans?
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

How to understand home loan mortgage statements

A mortgage statement is a document provided by your lender that contains various details about your home loan, including how much of your loan you have repaid and how much is remaining. It will also include additional information, such as your interest rate, and how much money you’re saving in interest charges thanks to your offset account. Therefore, it is important to understand your mortgage statement clearly.

Home Loans

10 Jun, 2022

5 min read

How to understand home loan mortgage statements
Georgia Brown

Personal Finance Editor

What is a standard variable rate?

When you’re looking for a home loan, it’s important to understand the different types of interest rates that lenders offer. One that you might hear referred to often is a standard variable rate.

Home Loans

08 Jun, 2022

3 min read

What is a standard variable rate?
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Are there fees for switching home loans?

Australian borrowers wanting a better home loan rate may be tempted to refinance their mortgage and switch to an offer from a competitor lender. But before you jump ship, make sure you check the fees, charges, and other costs that may be involved.

Home Loans

27 May, 2022

5 min read

Are there fees for switching home loans?
Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

What is a flexible home loan and should you consider one?

Flexible home loans can offer you more than just your standard monthly mortgage repayments, so if you are looking for flexibility to match your forever changing lifestyle, consider a flexible home loan.

Home Loans

26 May, 2022

3 min read

What is a flexible home loan and should you consider one?
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Is it easy to switch home loan lenders?

Have you ever thought about refinancing your home loan, but decided it wasn’t worth the hassle? You may be surprised to find that switching mortgage lenders may actually be easier than you anticipated, which could make refinancing worth reconsidering.

Home Loans

20 May, 2022

6 min read

Is it easy to switch home loan lenders?
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

The pitfalls of no deposit home loans

No deposit home loans are pretty much a thing of the past, though there are still a few ways for selected borrowers to pay little or no deposit.

Home Loans

12 May, 2022

5 min read

The pitfalls of no deposit home loans