Home
Home Loans
Articles

Home Loans Articles

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

Get on top of your finances with 3 simple steps

If the festive season has left you feeling a little flat, financially, there are a few tools to get you back on top of your budget and in control of your money.

Home Loans

12 Feb, 2012

3 min read

Get on top of your finances with 3 simple steps

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Switching banks, why should you bother?

With ANZ and Westpac Bank's decision to raise mortgage rates independently of the Reserve Bank, lifting standard variable rates by 6 and 10 basis points respectively, RateCity estimates that around 1 million variable home loan customers will be impacted before the end of the month.

Home Loans

12 Feb, 2012

2 min read

RateCity

Honeymoon rates and rate tracker loans

Variable rate and the fixed rate home loans are the most popular home mortgage rates for Australian homeowners. However, if you are looking to save some money in the short term or are a first time buyer, there are increasingly flexible options such as ‘honeymoon’ and ‘rate tracker’ loans that might be worth exploring.

Home Loans

09 Feb, 2012

2 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

The real cost of buying a home

You may have a vague idea of the fees and charges associated with buying a home, but many first-home buyers are caught by surprise by the hidden cost of becoming a homeowner.

Home Loans

06 Feb, 2012

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

What will another rate cut mean for you?

The Prime Minister last week joined the chorus of voices calling on the Reserve Bank of Australia to drop interest rates further, but it may not have been necessary – the general consensus by economists and financial markets is that we are heading for a cut in the 4.25 percent cash rate when the RBA meets tomorrow (February 7), even without politicians joining the fray.

Home Loans

05 Feb, 2012

3 min read

What will another rate cut mean for you?

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Could you save a packet with a package?

Home owners are flocking to 'package loans' combining a mortgage, transaction account and credit card all with the one lender – but are they all that they're cracked up to be?

Home Loans

02 Feb, 2012

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Is equity the key to wealth?

Keen to buy a rental property but short of a deposit? Your home equity could open the door.

Home Loans

01 Feb, 2012

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Baby on board, are you financially prepared?

Thinking of starting a family? Now's the time to make plans for managing your finances once your baby comes on board.

Home Loans

24 Jan, 2012

3 min read

Baby on board, are you financially prepared?

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Grants: are they best for first home buyers?

Australian property prices show no sign of easing. If you’re a first home buyer, eager to jump into the market, you’ve probably been keeping an eye on federal and state government grants and stamp duty exemptions in the hope that they can help you buy your first home faster.

Home Loans

22 Jan, 2012

3 min read

Grants: are they best for first home buyers?

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Use your mortgage to achieve 2012 goals

As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Day around two-thirds of Australians made financial resolutions – and our home loans could hold the key to making them happen.

Home Loans

18 Jan, 2012

3 min read

RateCity

Australian home loan types

Securing finance for a new home is one of life’s biggest hurdles and to find the best Australian home loan you have to do your research. Home loan features are unique, as are borrowers requirements, so it's important to assess the different types of home loans, lenders, rates and features to find the best fit for you.

Home Loans

13 Jan, 2012

3 min read

Georgia Brown

Personal Finance Editor

What does a home loan calculator do in Australia?

Gaining finance for a new home can be one of life’s biggest hurdles. But, with online tools such as RateCity’s series of home loan calculators, finding the right home loan for your needs can be simplified.

Home Loans

12 Jan, 2012

4 min read