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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 home equity loan and a personal loan?

Which is the better choice between a home equity loan and a personal loan in the case of a financial emergency? Let us help you decide.

Home Loans

24 Mar, 2022

4 min read

What is the difference between a home equity loan and a personal loan?
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Does paying extra on a mortgage reduce your interest?

By making extra home loan repayments and shrinking your home loan principal, you can reduce the interest you are charged on your mortgage. This could give you the choice between taking steps to pay off your property sooner, or adding some breathing room to your household budget.

Home Loans

22 Mar, 2022

3 min read

Does paying extra on a mortgage reduce your interest?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Which credit report is used for home loans?

When reviewing your home loan application, lenders may request your credit report from one of three credit reporting bureaus, but only with your permission.

Home Loans

22 Mar, 2022

4 min read

Which credit report is used for home loans?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What are the total bank charges for a home loan?

When you are planning on buying a home, understanding the different types of costs involved can help avoid any unpleasant surprises later.

Home Loans

21 Mar, 2022

4 min read

What are the total bank charges for a home loan?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What is the Shared Ownership Home Loan scheme in Western Australia?

The Shared Ownership Home Loan scheme in WA may help home buyers tp get into their own home faster with only a 2% deposit, and without having to pay costly Lender's Mortgage Insurance.

Home Loans

21 Mar, 2022

4 min read

What is the  Shared Ownership Home Loan scheme in Western Australia?
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

What does it cost to hire an architect for a renovation?

Renovating your house can be a small or a large project. Smaller jobs, like painting walls, updating fixtures, or replacing floors, you may be able to do yourself or with the help of a qualified tradie. But bigger jobs, like adding an extension or an extra floor onto your house, may require additional expertise, such as that offered by an architect.

Home Loans

11 Mar, 2022

5 min read

What does it cost to hire an architect for a renovation?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Who can be a guarantor for a home loan?

If you are considering having a guarantor for your mortgage, you will want to know who can guarantee a home loan? Or if you’re planning to guarantee a loan, you should know how to protect your interests.

Home Loans

11 Mar, 2022

3 min read

Who can be a guarantor for a home loan?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Discharge of mortgage: When and how to go about it?

There are certain situations when you may have to discharge your mortgage during the loan term, such as when you are selling your house or refinancing your mortgage. Learn how mortgage discharge works and what it will cost you.

Home Loans

04 Mar, 2022

5 min read

Discharge of mortgage: When and how to go about it?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Is additional borrowing on a mortgage possible?

If you need to pay for a large expense, one of your options is to top up your mortgage. Find out how much you can borrow and how you can use the extra funds.

Home Loans

01 Mar, 2022

4 min read

Is additional borrowing on a mortgage possible?
Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

How much does a laundry renovation cost?

A laundry renovation may cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 and beyond. Let's explore the biggest factors impacting cost and how you can finance your dream laundry renovation.

Home Loans

22 Feb, 2022

6 min read

How much does a laundry renovation cost?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Are home loans available to Aussie expats?

Australian expats can usually apply for the same home loans as Aussie residents, but consider checking lenders’ specific qualifying criteria and loan terms.

Home Loans

27 Jan, 2022

3 min read

Are home loans available to Aussie expats?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What happens to a mortgage in a divorce?

From coming to terms with the end of your relationship to dealing with parenting and living arrangements, divorce is difficult. And if you hold a joint mortgage with your spouse, it can further complicate matters. Here are the different options available after your divorce.

Home Loans

24 Jan, 2022

4 min read

What happens to a mortgage in a divorce? | RateCity