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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.

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How to get pre-approval for a home loan as a first-time buyer?

While planning to buy your first home, it’s good to understand how much you’re eligible to borrow. Learn more about the process of getting pre-approval on your home loan.

Home Loans

26 Feb, 2021

5 min read

How to get pre-approval for a home loan as a first-time buyer?

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How can you get a home loan on a low income?

Even if you’re on a low income, you can still fulfil your dream of owning a home and getting a home loan. Getting home loan approval with a low income and bad credit may just take a little extra effort.

Home Loans

25 Feb, 2021

4 min read

How can you get a home loan on a low income?

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How long does a home loan pre-approval last?

A great way to speed up the home buying process is by getting pre-approval, but you may wonder how long does a home loan pre-approval last? Can it be extended if needed? Find out.

Home Loans

25 Feb, 2021

5 min read

How long does a home loan pre-approval last?

RateCity

Take a sledgehammer to your mortgage rate in 2021

Over the past two years, the official cash rate has fallen by a whopping 1.4%. Put simply, if you haven’t checked your mortgage rate during this time, you could be overpaying by an alarming amount.

Home Loans

24 Feb, 2021

1 min read

Take a Sledgehammer to your Mortgage Rate in 2021 | RateCity

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What do I need to do after closing my home loan?

If you’ve repaid your home loan in full, you will go through the process of discharging or closing the loan. This process involves updating your home’s title and securing your sole ownership. It’s also a good time to examine your finances.

Home Loans

24 Feb, 2021

4 min read

What do I need to do after closing my home loan?

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What are the various home loan prepayment advantages and considerations?

Paying off your mortgage faster and owning your home free and clear is a tremendous achievement. There are both benefits and drawbacks to closing your home loan early that are worth considering.

Home Loans

23 Feb, 2021

4 min read

What are the various home loan prepayment advantages and considerations?

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How can I secure a home loan with bad credit?

Having a bad credit score shouldn’t prevent you from applying for a home loan. However, credit issues do affect the type of home loan you can get.

Home Loans

23 Feb, 2021

4 min read

How can I secure a home loan with bad credit?

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Can I get a home loan with unpaid credit card debt?

Getting a mortgage with credit card debt can be difficult, as lenders may decide that you have low borrowing power. Check if you can cancel a credit card.

Home Loans

16 Feb, 2021

3 min read

Can I get a home loan with unpaid credit card debt?

RateCity

Home loan rates now lower than in the 1950s

Towards the end of the 1950s in Australia, $7000 bought you a house, interest rates were around 5% and most people drove a Holden.

Home Loans

16 Feb, 2021

1 min read

Home loan rates now lower than in the 1950s | RateCity

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Can first-time homebuyers get a renovation loan?

Lenders may approve a renovation mortgage for first-time homebuyers if there’s an acceptable reason for the renovation. Lenders may not agree to let you borrow money for renovation unless you have a valid reason. Some of the reasons lenders may accept could be.

Home Loans

15 Feb, 2021

4 min read

Can first-time homebuyers get a renovation loan?

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Can I cancel a home loan before settlement?

The settlement is the last step in the home buying process, when the lender provides the funds for you to purchase the property and register a mortgage against the title of your new home.

Home Loans

10 Feb, 2021

4 min read

Can I cancel a home loan before settlement?

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Buying a second property with a second home loan

Once you purchase your first property, you think that buying the next one would be easy. However, the property market and the lending industry may have changed since the time you brought the first property. Let’s take a look at some factors you should consider while buying a second home.

Home Loans

10 Feb, 2021

3 min read