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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

Simple ideas for adding value to your home

Whether you’re planning to sell now or simply want to keep your options open in the long-term, adding value to your home over time is a smart move for any homeowner.

Home Loans

19 Dec, 2013

3 min read

Simple ideas for adding value to your home

RateCity

Smart tips for adding value to your home

Whether you’re planning to sell now or simply want to keep your options open in the long-term, adding value to your home over time is a smart move for any homeowner.

Home Loans

18 Dec, 2013

3 min read

Smart tips for adding value to your home

Kate Cowling

Superannuation versus paying off the mortgage

You’ve saved diligently all year, or perhaps you’ve received an unexpected windfall, bonus or inheritance. No matter how you’ve come across it, the question is likely to be about how to make the most of any spare cash – a common choice would be to inject it into your mortgage or add it to your superannuation fund.

Home Loans

15 Dec, 2013

3 min read

Superannuation versus paying off the mortgage

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Fixed rates rise further in November

A growing number of institutions are increasing the interest rates on their fixed home loans - a move that shows their hand on where they think the market might be heading.

Home Loans

10 Dec, 2013

3 min read

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Four property investment myths

Just under 8 percent of the Australian population owns an investment property, according to the Australian taxation Office, although a much higher proportion considers it – or ends up selling up and giving up on the dream of being a landlord.

Home Loans

25 Nov, 2013

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Fixed rates rise further

About half of all four- and five-year fixed rate home loans, and more than a third of three-year fixed rate home loans, have had rates adjusted up in the past two months, according to RateCity research.

Home Loans

20 Nov, 2013

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

How government can really help home buyers

Despite record low interest rates, first home buyers now account for less than 10 percent of all new home loan dollars financed – a record low. Yet an opportunity to support a savings initiative for first home buyers is going to waste, according to RateCity.

Home Loans

17 Nov, 2013

4 min read

How government can really help home buyers

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How to make the most of low interest rates

With Australia’s official cash rate at a 53-year historical low of 2.5 percent, Australian home owners are enjoying lower mortgage repayments than ever.

Home Loans

15 Nov, 2013

3 min read

How to make the most of low interest rates

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Low rates put borrowers 20 months ahead

The study by RateCity has revealed that a low interest rate environment has helped households to pay down their home loans more quickly than required.

Home Loans

06 Nov, 2013

3 min read

Patricia Babalis

Avoiding the rental trap

With property prices across Australia consistently rising rather than falling, buying your first home may seem discouragingly out of reach. However, new research shows that rents are creeping up at a faster-than-usual rate may prompt some tenants to swap renting for home ownership.

Home Loans

01 Nov, 2013

3 min read

Kate Cowling

Property or shares: where should you invest?

When it comes to investing their hard-earned cash, Australians have always been partial to bricks and mortar and consistently rising property prices have guaranteed a solid investment return. As an alternative investment strategy, the Australian share market has also delivered results for investors, with shares reaching a five-year high last month.

Home Loans

31 Oct, 2013

3 min read

Property or shares: where should you invest?

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Are SMSFs driving up property prices?

Property has long been a popular investment strategy for Australians. However, increased investment activity in residential property by self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) is worrying regulators amid concerns it may be pushing up house prices.

Home Loans

21 Oct, 2013

3 min read