Home
Home Loans
Articles

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 much interest will you pay over the life of a home loan?

Interest charges are one of the most significant costs to consider when applying for a home loan. But how much could a home loan ultimately cost, and are there any ways to lower the total interest you’ll pay?

Home Loans

26 May, 2022

6 min read

How much interest will you pay over the life of a home loan?

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

How to find your remaining loan term

You may be closer to the end of your loan term than you think so discover how to find your remaining loan term. Plus, there are steps that homeowners can take to shave years off their loan.

Home Loans

25 May, 2022

4 min read

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

What's the difference between variable and fixed rate home loans?

Borrowers taking out home loans have a choice to make when it comes to their interest rates – variable or fixed? There are advantages and disadvantages to both of these options, as well as to choosing a split rate mortgage.

Home Loans

25 May, 2022

5 min read

What's the difference between variable and fixed rate home loans?

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Where to get help choosing your home loan

It turns out there are a lot more mortgage choices available than just the home loan offered at your local bank branch. Working out the best mortgage option to suit your needs can be a challenge, so you may need a little help along the way.

Home Loans

25 May, 2022

5 min read

Where to get help choosing your home loan

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

When is the right time to switch to fixed interest rates?

Experts advise that when we near the end of the interest rate cycle that when it’s time to start fixing rates. But how do we know for sure that the right time is approaching?

Home Loans

24 May, 2022

5 min read

When is the right time to switch to fixed interest rates?

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

How to use equity to buy investment property

Are you watching others around you build their property portfolios and wondering how to buy your own investment property without blowing all your savings? If you own a home, you could harness the power of your home equity to get a kick start.

Home Loans

24 May, 2022

4 min read

How to use equity to buy investment property

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

What is a home loan package?

A home loan package may offer a variety of benefits – but it can come with a price. It’s worth understanding the advantages and risks of a home loan package before you sign on the dotted line.

Home Loans

23 May, 2022

4 min read

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Selecting the right home loan

Let’s explore what factors are important to compare when searching for your best home loan option, and how to easily compare home loans and create a short list that suits your needs.

Home Loans

23 May, 2022

4 min read

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

What is a fixed rate home loan?

Fixing your home loan interest rate can help keep your mortgage repayments stable and consistent for a limited time, for simpler budgeting and additional peace of mind. There are also other benefits to consider, along with a few risks, before you look at signing up for a fixed rate home loan.

Home Loans

20 May, 2022

4 min read

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

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Are some Australian home loan lenders more competitive than others?

While you could get a home loan simply by applying with your current bank, casting your net a little wider could find you dozens of a competitive offers from other banks and non-bank lenders. So which lenders are the most competitive on the market, and which of their home loan options may best suit your needs?

Home Loans

20 May, 2022

4 min read

Are some Australian home loan lenders more competitive than others?

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Who needs a low documentation home loan?

Low doc home loans are designed for self-employed Australians who may not be able to provide the documentation that’s required to apply for a typical home loan. While low doc home loans can help some Australians purchase property, they may also have risks to consider before applying.

Home Loans

19 May, 2022

3 min read