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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.
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
The hidden costs of buying a home
Most first homebuyers know that the two main costs of their first mortgage are the upfront cost of the deposit on the property, and the ongoing expense of mortgage repayments. But what other costs will you need to budget for when you apply for your first home loan?
Home Loans
10 Feb, 2022
4 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
How to choose the right home loan
Need help choosing the right home loan in Australia? Find the lowest interest rates and features for your personal home lending needs by comparing mortgages at RateCity.com.au.
Home Loans
10 Feb, 2022
7 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
How to find (and pay for) your first mortgage by yourself
Where do you start looking for your first mortgage? Many budding first homebuyers go straight to their current bank to see if they can get a loan. This may be one of the simplest options, but it may not be the most affordable choice or the best option to suit your financial situation.
Home Loans
10 Feb, 2022
5 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
How Today Show's Pay Your Mortgage Competition could affect your loan
We’ve all daydreamed of winning the lottery, but what about winning a competition that could pay your mortgage for a year? If you're not a winner of the Today Show's Pay Your Mortgage competition, there is still a way you might win by refinancing.
Home Loans
09 Feb, 2022
5 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
Mortgage repayment calculators
Mortgage repayment calculators are great tools for working out exactly how much your home loan may cost you. This can not only help you plan your household budget, but allow you to estimate the total cost of interest charges and the overall value of your home loan.
Home Loans
08 Feb, 2022
4 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
Interest only home loan repayments
Do you need to find a home loan that can make your dream home a reality? Finding a home loan that suits your needs is the first step towards home ownership and shouldn't be taken lightly. Equally, it's important to understand how you intend to manage your mortgage interest repayments.
Home Loans
08 Feb, 2022
4 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
What is an interest-only home loan?
Interest-only home loans are a type of mortgage where the borrower only has to pay the interest charged on the principal balance. Because they are only required to pay interest, the monthly repayments are lower. This leaves borrowers with more money available in their monthly household budgets for use elsewhere.
Home Loans
07 Feb, 2022
3 min read
Jodie Humphries
Personal Finance Editor
Can I take out a loan against my home’s equity?
You can use the equity in your home as a deposit for taking out another loan. But lenders may require a home valuation before reviewing your loan application.
Home Loans
03 Feb, 2022
4 min read
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
Jodie Humphries
Personal Finance Editor
Do you really need a 20 per cent deposit before applying for a home loan?
Like most first home buyers, you may think that you’ll need a 20 per cent deposit before you can apply for a home loan. With Lender's Mortgage Insurance (LMI) and a family guarantee, however, some lenders allow you to buy a home with a lower deposit.
Home Loans
27 Jan, 2022
4 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
What's the difference between banks and non-bank lenders?
Banks, credit unions and building societies are all vying for Australian home loan borrowers business, but which one is best?
Home Loans
25 Jan, 2022
5 min read
Jodie Humphries
Personal Finance Editor
When do you start paying off your mortgage?
Once your mortgage is in place, you need to make repayments every month. When should you start repaying your mortgage?
Home Loans
25 Jan, 2022
3 min read
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Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
18 Sep, 2024
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Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
10 Sep, 2024
The pros and cons of paying off your mortgage early vs buying an investment property
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
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What do house valuers look for?
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