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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

Apartment v house: which is a better investment?

It’s an age-old question property investors have been asking themselves since they cottoned on to the fact that property makes a sound investment: house or apartment? Which property type makes a better investment?

Home Loans

18 Dec, 2012

3 min read

Apartment v house: which is a better investment?

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Is now a good time to buy?

If you’re considering buying a property, chances are you’ve asked yourself, “Is this a good time to buy?” Just as likely, friends and family have volunteered advice on whether now is a good time to buy, or whether you should wait until it is a good time to buy.

Home Loans

17 Dec, 2012

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Conditions improve for first home buyers

Rising incomes and stagnate house prices mean home buyers are taking less time to save for their first home deposit, research suggests.

Home Loans

09 Dec, 2012

3 min read

Conditions improve for first home buyers

RateCity

About low doc home loans

A low doc loan or low-documentation loan is for someone, generally the self-employed, who has difficulty coming up with the necessary documentation required to apply for a traditional home loan. This may include those with a poor credit history or who don't work full time.

Home Loans

06 Dec, 2012

2 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Try before you buy property

In a bid to kick start a sluggish property market, would-be homebuyers in Queensland are being given the opportunity to live in their dream home before they buy it.

Home Loans

05 Dec, 2012

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Educated first home buyers slash home loans

In a sign that the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) decision to cut interest rates in recent months is starting to bite, research shows borrowers are making more than the minimum loan repayments in a bid to slash their home loan liabilities.

Home Loans

03 Dec, 2012

3 min read

Educated first home buyers slash home loans

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Six rules to capitalise in a slow property market

Buying property does not automatically guarantee financial success.

Home Loans

26 Nov, 2012

4 min read

Six rules to capitalise in a slow property market

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

More homebuyers fix amid economic uncertainty

It was always the big question for homebuyers; lock in a fixed interest rate or take a gamble and go for variable. Now amid economic uncertainty more Australians are taking the guesswork out of mortgages by fixing their rates.

Home Loans

19 Nov, 2012

3 min read

More homebuyers fix amid economic uncertainty

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Auction v private sale: how to create a bidding war

If you're thinking of selling your home now may be the time to do it as buyers flood back into the market.

Home Loans

14 Nov, 2012

3 min read

Auction v private sale: how to create a bidding war

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Millions have no savings safety net

Millions of Australians have little or no savings set aside to cover emergency situations such as redundancy, research shows.

Home Loans

11 Nov, 2012

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Low interest rates fail to curb mortgage defaults

Borrowers are increasingly defaulting on their home loan repayments despite the low official cash rates, research shows.

Home Loans

08 Nov, 2012

3 min read

Low interest rates fail to curb mortgage defaults

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Renovating for profit

It’s easy enough to paint a few walls, sand floorboards and call yourself a renovator. But knowing exactly what you need to do to add value to your home requires expert knowledge, which many people do not have.

Home Loans

07 Nov, 2012

3 min read