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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.

Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

The real cost of buying a home that needs renovation

Purchasing a fixer-upper home could save you upfront costs but there are plenty of other things to consider, especially the cost of renovating your home.

Home Loans

21 Dec, 2021

5 min read

The real cost of buying a home that needs renovation

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Finalising your purchase after mortgage pre-approval

Getting a mortgage pre-approval is an important step in your home buying journey. Find out the next steps after getting a pre-approved mortgage.

Home Loans

20 Dec, 2021

3 min read

Finalising your purchase after mortgage pre-approval

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What are the advantages and disadvantages of paying off your mortgage?

You’re probably looking forward to the day when you no longer need to repay your mortgage. While you could pay it off early, you should also consider the pros and cons of paying off a mortgage.

Home Loans

20 Dec, 2021

3 min read

What are the advantages and disadvantages of paying off your mortgage?

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Calculating the market value of a property

When you’re buying, selling or refinancing, it’s handy to know how to calculate the market value of a property. Getting an estimate will help with the next steps.

Home Loans

16 Dec, 2021

4 min read

Calculating the market value of a property

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What is a home loan settlement and how does it work?

When you’re taking out a loan to buy a house, the process is completed with the home loan settlement. What does this involve, and how do you need to prepare?

Home Loans

16 Dec, 2021

3 min read

What is a home loan settlement and how does it work?

Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

What is the difference between owner-occupied and investor home loans?

If you're planning to buy a house, you'll most likely apply for a mortgage to pay for it. However, whether you apply for an owner-occupied or investor home loan will depend upon the purpose for which you're going to use the property. As the name implies, an owner-occupied home loan is for individuals who wish to purchase a house to live in. On the other hand, an investor loan is for people who plan to buy a house and use it to earn rental income.

Home Loans

16 Dec, 2021

5 min read

What is the difference between owner-occupied and investor home loans?

Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

What is the difference between joint tenants and tenants in common?

Increasing property prices have made it even more challenging to buy a house. To get around this hurdle, some friends or relatives are choosing to buy a house together by pooling their resources and taking out a joint mortgage.

Home Loans

13 Dec, 2021

4 min read

What is the difference between joint tenants and tenants in common?

Georgia Brown

Personal Finance Editor

Could lotto and gambling affect your home loan?

What might seem to you like a harmless punt on a Friday night could have the potential to significantly impact your home loan.

Home Loans

11 Dec, 2021

5 min read

Could lotto and gambling affect your home loan?

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

How to fund your home improvements with equity

Are you considering making home improvements and renovating your property? You may want to consider how you can make use of your home’s equity to finance these plans.

Home Loans

02 Dec, 2021

5 min read

How to fund your home improvements with equity

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How to beat the banks on mortgages?

Are you paying a substantial amount to the bank for your mortgage? There are a few ways you can pay less or finish it sooner.

Home Loans

24 Nov, 2021

4 min read

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Is paying my mortgage off in full a good idea?

While becoming debt-free is wonderful, consider checking if paying down your mortgage is more suitable for your financial situation than investing the money elsewhere.

Home Loans

19 Nov, 2021

3 min read

Is paying my mortgage off in full a good idea?

Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

What’s the difference between genuine savings and non-genuine savings?

It’s likely that you already know you need to provide a deposit to qualify for a home loan. That’s not all your lender will require however. Many lenders also want to see how you saved that deposit, especially if you wish to borrow more than 80 per cent of the property’s price. While it may seem unnecessary, your ability to save money can tell a lender a lot about your credibility as a borrower.

Home Loans

19 Nov, 2021

4 min read