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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.

Peter Terlato

Personal Finance Editor

How to choose your first home loan

Choosing your first home loan doesn’t have to be a difficult process. Discover how to be your own broker through the power of your phone. Here is how first home buyers can choose their ideal first home loan.

Home Loans

22 Jun, 2022

7 min read

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

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Will your bank lend you money for a mortgage? Home loan lending criteria explained

Home loan eligibility criteria differs from lender to lender and is used to help determine whether you are financially capable of servicing a home loan in Australia.

Home Loans

22 Jun, 2022

6 min read

Will your bank lend you money for a mortgage? Home loan lending criteria explained

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

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Do you need good credit for a home equity loan?

A home equity loan could be a useful option for accessing money when you’ve previously paid extra onto your mortgage or the value of your home has grown. But could you run into trouble if your credit score isn’t the best?

Home Loans

21 Jun, 2022

4 min read

Do you need good credit for a home equity loan?

Georgia Brown

Personal Finance Editor

What’s the difference between interest only vs principal and interest on home loans?

If you’re in the market for a new home loan or refinancing an existing mortgage, it’s important to understand how you intend to manage your repayments.

Home Loans

21 Jun, 2022

3 min read

What’s the difference between interest only vs principal and interest on home loans?

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

Georgia Brown

Personal Finance Editor

What are interest-only repayments?

Opting for interest-only home loan repayments can be a useful strategy in some circumstances, but it’s important to understand how they work and whether they may be right for you.

Home Loans

20 Jun, 2022

3 min read

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

What is a rate rise and how often does it happen?

Over a 25–30-year mortgage it is safe to expect your rate to fluctuate. So, what causes interest rates to rise, and how often can this occur?

Home Loans

17 Jun, 2022

4 min read

What is a rate rise and how often does it happen?

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

Georgia Brown

Personal Finance Editor

How to apply for a fixed home loan

If you’ve decided that a fixed rate home loan is the right choice for you, the next step is to get started on your application.

Home Loans

17 Jun, 2022

4 min read

Georgia Brown

Personal Finance Editor

What are green home loans?

Just like standard home loans, green home loans allow you to borrow money to buy a property. But they also aim to reward borrowers for choosing to live more sustainably.

Home Loans

17 Jun, 2022

3 min read