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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.

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Tips for a house valuation

Taking the time to properly prepare and set up your home for valuation is crucial to ensure it is valued at the most optimal price. Here is how to prepare your home for valuation.

Home Loans

25 May, 2021

3 min read

Tips for a house valuation
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

How to value a property for insurance

Home insurance can provide much-needed peace of mind by covering your property in case of accidents, damage, or other disasters. Plus, it’s often a necessary requirement when applying for a home loan with many lenders.

Home Loans

24 May, 2021

2 min read

How to value a property for insurance
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

How do banks value property?

Different banks use different methods to calculate the value of a property. Also known as a “bank property valuation”, the method your mortgage lender chooses may depend on their own internal policies, and other reasons, too.

Home Loans

22 May, 2021

3 min read

How do banks value property?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How do you pay back a reverse mortgage loan?

A reverse mortgage is a popular option for retirees who own homes. Keep reading to learn how to pay back a reverse mortgage loan.  

Home Loans

20 May, 2021

2 min read

How do you pay back a reverse mortgage loan?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What you need to know about terminating a reverse mortgage

If you’re considering taking out a reverse mortgage or have applied for one, you need to know how to terminate the arrangement if it doesn’t work for you. There are a few different ways to do this.

Home Loans

18 May, 2021

3 min read

What you need to know about terminating a reverse mortgage
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Learn how to avoid Lender's Mortgage Insurance

With the right deposit, you can save yourself from having to pay Lender’s Mortgage Insurance. The amount you’ll need to save depends on how much you want to borrow.

Home Loans

13 May, 2021

3 min read

Learn how to avoid Lender's Mortgage Insurance
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Income protection vs. mortgage insurance: What you need to know

Both income protection insurance and mortgage protection insurance are income replacement products with different types of coverage. The most significant difference is that you can only use mortgage protection to cover your mortgage repayments if you’re unable to earn an income.

Home Loans

22 Apr, 2021

6 min read

Income protection vs. mortgage insurance: What you need to know
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What is a debt-to-income ratio, and how does it impact your mortgage application?

A debt-to-income ratio (DTI) compares the amount of money you earn to the amount of money you owe to various lenders and credit card providers. It’s used by lenders to judge whether you can repay your mortgage comfortably or not.

Home Loans

21 Apr, 2021

5 min read

What is a debt-to-income ratio, and how does it impact your mortgage application?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What happens to a reverse mortgage when the owner dies?

When a homeowner dies with an outstanding reverse mortgage, their home may be sold to repay the debt. However, their family may need to move out of the house first.

Home Loans

19 Apr, 2021

4 min read

What happens to a reverse mortgage when the owner dies?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Can a reverse mortgage calculator help me estimate my borrowing limit?

While you can borrow at least $10,000 through a reverse mortgage, consider using a reverse mortgage calculator to estimate how much more you could borrow.

Home Loans

15 Apr, 2021

4 min read

Can a reverse mortgage calculator help me estimate my borrowing limit?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What is a reverse mortgage and are you eligible?

Using a reverse mortgage, you can convert the equity of your home into cash if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about reverse mortgages and find out if you’re eligible. 

Home Loans

30 Mar, 2021

4 min read

What is a reverse mortgage and are you eligible?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Can I get a home loan with a low credit score?

You can apply for a home loan with a low credit score, but you may not get the best deal in the market. Check how to improve your credit score before applying.

Home Loans

30 Mar, 2021

5 min read

Can I get a home loan with a low credit score?