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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.
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
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
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
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
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
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
Can you afford a mortgage?
For many Australians, buying your own home is something you dream about (while indulging in a smashed avocado brunch), but is it an unobtainable dream?
Home Loans
07 Mar, 2017
4 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
Renting vs. buying, what should you choose?
Choosing between renting or buying property can be a daunting process.
Home Loans
20 Feb, 2017
4 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
New investor loans blocked by big lenders
One of Australia’s biggest lenders has made sweeping changes to its investor lending policies, RateCity understands.
Home Loans
09 Feb, 2017
3 min read
Peter Arnold
Rates of the Nation Report, January 2017
The Rates of the Nation report is an historical analysis of interest rates in the home loans, credit cards and deposits space for the last quarter.
Home Loans
12 Jan, 2017
4 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
How to find your interest rate
Pop quiz, hotshot – what interest rate are you currently paying on your home loan? Could you name it off the top of your head?
Home Loans
09 Jan, 2017
6 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
How to find the value of your property
It’s romantic to measure what a home is worth in terms of love, memories, or similarly sentimental metrics. Unfortunately, banks and other mortgage lenders aren’t renowned for their sense of whimsy, and prefer to measure the worth of properties in dollar values.
Home Loans
09 Jan, 2017
10 min read
Patricia Babalis
What is the refinancing Fast Track process?
In your refinancing research, you may have come across terms like Fast Track refinancing or FastRefi. These refer to a specific type of refinancing offered by some lenders, that allows the borrower to get their new loan settled in as little as three days if no physical property valuation is required.
Home Loans
05 Jan, 2017
3 min read
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Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
15 Jan, 2025
Getting a mortgage for an international property
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
15 Jan, 2025
Can you have two home loans on one property?
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
08 Jan, 2025
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