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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

How to talk your way to a lower interest rate

If you’re currently paying off a mortgage, there’s an interest rate cut waiting for you if you simply ask for it.

Home Loans

21 Feb, 2018

6 min read

How to talk your way to a lower interest rate

Nick Bendel

Property & Personal Finance Writer

What is a mortgage calculator?

A mortgage calculator is an online tool that shows you how much you’d have to repay based on different home loan scenarios.

Home Loans

08 Jan, 2018

3 min read

Nick Bendel

Property & Personal Finance Writer

What is a non-bank lender?

A non-bank lender is a financial institution that offers mortgages and other types of loans, but which doesn’t hold a banking licence.

Home Loans

04 Jan, 2018

3 min read

Nick Bendel

Property & Personal Finance Writer

Why it would be good if the RBA raised rates

The Reserve Bank hasn’t raised interest rates since 2010, so it will be terrible when it eventually happens, right? Well, no.

Home Loans

21 Dec, 2017

3 min read

Why it would be good if the RBA raised rates

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Why do home loans get rejected?

Having a home loan rejected can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’ve put a lot of time and effort into your application. While different banks use different criteria to assess home loan applications, there are a few common issues that could see your mortgage application rejected:

Home Loans

19 Dec, 2017

5 min read

Nick Bendel

Property & Personal Finance Writer

What is the Reserve Bank's official cash rate and why should I care?

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s official cash rate is the overnight money market interest rate that the RBA charges on overnight loans to commercial banks.

Home Loans

01 Dec, 2017

2 min read

What is the Reserve Bank's official cash rate and why should I care?

Nick Bendel

Property & Personal Finance Writer

What is a mortgage broker?

A mortgage broker is an individual or company that acts as a middleman between the borrower and the lender. The borrower is usually an individual who wants to buy property, while the lender is a bank or a non-bank lender.

Home Loans

28 Nov, 2017

3 min read

Mortgage Brokers For Home Loans | RateCity

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

How much is Lender's Mortgage Insurance?

Because Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI) can be a significant extra expense when purchasing a property, it’s important to include it in your budget when calculating whether you can afford a home loan, to avoid finding yourself in financial stress at the very start of a 30-year mortgage term.

Home Loans

21 Nov, 2017

3 min read

How much is Lender's Mortgage Insurance?

Nick Bendel

Property & Personal Finance Writer

The lowest rates from the biggest banks

Ever wondered which of the high-profile banks offers the cheapest home loan?

Home Loans

16 Nov, 2017

2 min read

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Save $1,000 by next Christmas by doing this one thing

If you’re the kind of person who has trouble saving, avoid complicated budgets and the guilt and stress that comes from unexpected expenses by following this one simple savings tip today.

Home Loans

15 Nov, 2017

3 min read

Save $1,000 by next Christmas by doing this one thing

Nick Bendel

Property & Personal Finance Writer

The cheapest home loans on the market

You might be surprised to learn that various lenders are currently offering some of the cheapest mortgage rates in Australia’s history.

Home Loans

02 Nov, 2017

3 min read

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

What is LVR?

LVR stands for Loan to Value Ratio, and is a comparison of how much you’re borrowing with your mortgage (the Loan) to how much the property you’re purchasing is worth (the Value).

Home Loans

31 Oct, 2017

2 min read