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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

The 5 mistakes people make with home loans

A home loan is arguably the most expensive purchase you will make, so you can’t afford to make mistakes. RateCity has compiled a list of the most common miscalculations you can make when choosing a home loan.

Home Loans

22 Jun, 2017

2 min read

The 5 mistakes people make with home loans

Nick Bendel

Property & Personal Finance Writer

Is the cheapest home loan always the best?

We all want to pay as little for our mortgage as possible, but it would be wrong to assume that lower-rate products are automatically better.

Home Loans

22 May, 2017

3 min read

Is the cheapest home loan always the best?

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

What the new bank levy could cost you

One surprise to come out of Australia’s 2017 Federal Budget was the introduction of a new 'budget repair' levy on Australia’s big banks.

Home Loans

15 May, 2017

5 min read

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Good debt and bad debt, how to consolidate and save

Even if you didn’t pay much attention to the 2017 federal budget, you may remember how it was presented a little differently. Rather than focusing solely on surpluses versus deficits, the federal government sorted its borrowing into "good debt" and "bad debt".

Home Loans

11 May, 2017

7 min read

Good debt and bad debt, how to consolidate and save

Nick Bendel

Property & Personal Finance Writer

Don't make this big refinancing mistake!

The main reason people refinance their home loan is to save money. But sometimes people make a crucial mistake and actually lose money.

Home Loans

08 May, 2017

2 min read

Don't make this big refinancing mistake!

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How offset accounts can strip years off your home loan

Unless you have a bachelor degree in finance, really smart friends or a great financial advisor, you may never learn all the tricks of the trade. For instance, did you know that offset accounts reward the conscious saver by saving you thousands in interest charges and shaving years of your loan term?

Home Loans

08 May, 2017

8 min read

How offset accounts can strip years off your home loan

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

How will the big four's interest rate increases affect you?

Yet another of the big four banks has increased home loan rates, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) raising borrowing costs for owner-occupiers and property investors.

Home Loans

28 Mar, 2017

2 min read

How will the big four's interest rate increases affect you?

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

What is a Mortgage Discharge Fee?

Also known as a termination or settlement fee, a discharge fee is paid when you finish paying off the balance on a loan, or refinance with another lender.

Home Loans

23 Mar, 2017

1 min read

What is a Mortgage Discharge Fee? | RateCity

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

The secrets to getting the lowest home loan rate

Did you know some banks compete to give certain borrowers a home loan?

Home Loans

22 Mar, 2017

3 min read

The secrets to getting the lowest home loan rate

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

The Trump Factor, Will fixed rates protect you from volatility?

When US President Trump was first elected, a wave of uncertainty washed over the world of finance, causing investors to seek safe havens for their wealth. The 45th president’s election victory led to the price of gold breaking through the US$1300 an ounce mark, while US treasuries rose 10 points. There was also speculation that investors could start moving their money from shares to property – specifically Australian property, generally considered to be one of the safest markets in the world – as they wait to see the fallout.

Home Loans

20 Mar, 2017

5 min read

The Trump Factor, Will fixed rates protect you from volatility?

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

8 cities that are more affordable than Sydney

When you examine the average Australian house prices in December 2016 (according to the Domain Rental & House Pricing Report) the average price of a house in Sydney is $1,123,991.

Home Loans

17 Mar, 2017

3 min read

8 cities that are more affordable than Sydney

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Will US rate rises affect Australia?

Last night’s meeting of the US Federal Reserve increased America’s benchmark interest rate from 0.75% to 1%. Leading up to this widely-forecast increase, finance industry experts predicted that rising US interest rates may influence Australia and other countries where lenders could struggle with increased overseas funding costs, and raise their own interest rates to compensate.

Home Loans

16 Mar, 2017

2 min read