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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.

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Is a benchmark interest rate the average home loan rate?

A benchmark interest rate is the term given to describe the average interest rate among Australia’s major four banks – ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB and Westpac. It is also the term commonly used to refer to the minimum interest rate investors will accept when investing in a non-Treasury security.

Home Loans

21 Mar, 2022

4 min read

Is a benchmark interest rate the average home loan rate?

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

How to prepare for rising home loan interest rates

With leading banks raising fixed rates and slashing variable rates, many borrowers may be reconsidering variable rate home loans. But with almost one in four new mortgages taking on unsafe debt levels, and banks forecasting that interest rates could start rising as soon as June 2022, what steps can you take to help minimise the risk of bill shock before the next rate rise?

Home Loans

17 Mar, 2022

5 min read

How to prepare for rising home loan interest rates

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How much should you borrow for a mortgage?

Based on your financial situation, you have a certain borrowing capacity for a home loan. Even if you can borrow more, you need to exercise financial discipline and only take on as much debt as you can comfortably repay.

Home Loans

16 Mar, 2022

3 min read

How much should you borrow for a mortgage?

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

How much does it cost to paint a house?

Painting a house can cost you anywhere from $2,400 to $35,000. The costing can depend on whether the home is single or double storey and whether you are painting the interior or exterior of the home.

Home Loans

16 Mar, 2022

4 min read

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How do land and construction loans work?

If you’re planning to buy land and build a house, there are specific land and construction loan options available to you. Find out how these work.

Home Loans

14 Mar, 2022

4 min read

Land & Construction Loans: How do they work? | RateCity

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

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Australia?

If you’re daydreaming about a kitchen upgrade and hoping to turn this into reality, you may be curious as to how much an Australian kitchen renovation costs.

Home Loans

11 Mar, 2022

5 min read

How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Australia?

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Will fixed rates rise in 2022? Here’s what the experts say

Wondering when fixed rates could rise in 2022? Experts from the big four banks weigh in, and you may be shocked at their predictions.

Home Loans

10 Mar, 2022

5 min read

Will fixed rates rise in 2022? Here’s what the experts say

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Do you need to be married to buy a house together?

The short answer to this question is… no. In Australia, as long as you and your spouse fulfil the mortgage lender’s eligibility criteria, you can buy a property and put both of your names on the title whether you’re married or in a de-facto relationship.

Home Loans

09 Mar, 2022

6 min read

Do you need to be married to buy a house together?

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