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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.

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

The pros and cons of buying off the plan

Australia’s capital cities have long been plagued by a shortage of properties, helping drive up prices – which is great if you’re selling, but not ideal if you are in the market for your first home and facing the prospect of a daunting-sized first mortgage.

Home Loans

22 Mar, 2013

3 min read

The pros and cons of buying off the plan

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Budgeting for baby

At a time when your expenses are set to skyrocket, you may also be adjusting to a single income. With a little planning, though, you can make the transition painless and easy.

Home Loans

20 Mar, 2013

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Government relocation plan a farce'

The four-year scheme has been capped at 40,000 grants, but figures from the Office of State Revenue show just 1363 grants were provided across NSW between June 2011 until October last year.

Home Loans

17 Mar, 2013

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

How to take the pain out of moving house

It’s been described as the third most stressful life event (after death and divorce), it can take over your life and cause friction in your relationship. Packing up your life’s belongings and moving house is hardly ever stress-free, but planning ahead can ease the pain and save you money.

Home Loans

14 Mar, 2013

3 min read

How to take the pain out of moving house

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Aussies still at risk in housing drought

A report from the federal government’s independent advisor on housing, the National Housing Supply Council (NHSC), has warned of the long-term consequences of constricted new supply and low affordability.

Home Loans

11 Mar, 2013

4 min read

Aussies still at risk in housing drought

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Borrowers warm to fixed rates

January applications through the site showed an almost 50 percent jump in uptake of fixed rates compared to January 2012.

Home Loans

08 Mar, 2013

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Consumer cartel could force $100k loan savings

Banks are earning more profit on mortgages – 0.88 percent after tax – than at any time since 2004, according to a new report from global investment bank UBS.

Home Loans

04 Mar, 2013

3 min read

Consumer cartel could force $100k loan savings

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Big new incentives to help home buyers

Developers are offering up lavish gifts and money-can’t-buy experiences to prospective homebuyers in an effort to kick start a sluggish home building market.

Home Loans

27 Feb, 2013

4 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

The biggest mistakes women make with money

Ever indulged in a little more retail therapy than you meant to? Ever bailed out an ex? Or woken up one day and realised you didn’t know as much as you thought you did about your money?

Home Loans

18 Feb, 2013

3 min read

The biggest mistakes women make with money

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Top 5 mistakes property investors make

Less volatile than the stock market and more rewarding than buying bonds, property has proved a relatively secure investment strategy over recent decades in Australia.

Home Loans

18 Feb, 2013

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

How to retire in your 30s and live the good life

Forget working in to your mid-60s, a thrifty group of 30-somethings are retiring, and living the good life, to the envy of their peers.

Home Loans

10 Feb, 2013

3 min read

How to retire in your 30s and live the good life

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

The essential guide to downsizing

There are many reasons to downsize to a smaller home. Perhaps the kids have all flown the nest, or you are moving closer to the city centre where your budget only stretches to a smaller home. Or maybe you simply believe that smaller might be better.

Home Loans

07 Feb, 2013

3 min read