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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

Are you cut out to be a landlord?

With housing supply still trailing population growth, rents across Australia continue to rise steadily and rental yields – the percentage of rental income compared to the property's price – are more favourable than ever. That's good news for landlords and wannabe-landlords alike – now is a good time to consider property investment. But what does it take to be successful at it?

Home Loans

20 Dec, 2011

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Is 5 percent enough to save for your first home?

First home buyers entering the property market would be wise to consider saving at least 10 percent of the purchase price, despite most lenders now requiring just 5 percent down payment.

Home Loans

20 Dec, 2011

2 min read

Is 5 percent enough to save for your first home?

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

The financial battle of the sexes, who will win?

If you're a single woman and the prospect of finding a mortgage leaves you overwhelmed don't feel alone – most women feel just like you. There are some positive steps you can take to become more confident about choosing a home loan.

Home Loans

20 Dec, 2011

3 min read

The financial battle of the sexes, who will win?

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

How to own your dream home within a year

As interest rates continue to fall, the dream of owning your own home may seem more achievable for many Australians. So if you're a first home buyer with a goal of securing a property next mortgage season, here are some tips to help make the dream a reality.

Home Loans

08 Dec, 2011

3 min read

How to own your dream home within a year

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Three biggest mistakes when buying a home

It's the biggest purchase most of us are ever likely to make, so any mistakes we make in the process of buying a home are likely to be costly –financially and emotionally.

Home Loans

07 Dec, 2011

3 min read

Three biggest mistakes when buying a home

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

How the rate cut will impact you

Home owners and potential first home buyers got an early Christmas present yesterday when the Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate for the second consecutive month to 4.25 percent.

Home Loans

06 Dec, 2011

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Save $70,000 on your home loan

Keen to pay down your home loan with minimal effort and looking for advice about how to do it? Then you've come to right place because at RateCity we've got heaps of advice, guides, tips and even calculators – including a mortgage calculator – that will help put you on the fast track to financial freedom.

Home Loans

01 Dec, 2011

2 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

How much is too much debt?

Buying your first home doesn't have to be a financial headache. There are ways to ensure you don't overstep your mortgage budget and borrow more that you can afford.

Home Loans

22 Nov, 2011

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

How to get a holiday home to call your own

If owning a home is the great Australian dream, surely owning a holiday home is the dream on steroids.

Home Loans

20 Nov, 2011

3 min read

How to get a holiday home to call your own

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

How to capitalise on a holiday home

If owning a home is the great Australian dream, surely owning a holiday home is the dream on steroids.

Home Loans

20 Nov, 2011

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Five ways to save as a first-home buyer

Buying your first home is an experience fraught with excitement, anticipation and fear, in constantly changing doses. The main anxiety-inducing aspect of the process is the cost. But don't despair: here are five ways to save when you are buying your first home and taking on a mortgage.

Home Loans

16 Nov, 2011

3 min read

Kate Cowling

Cut your home loan debt with extra repayments

Conquering your debt is no easy feat and when you sign up for a home loan, it can feel like you will never get to the end of those home loan repayments. However, if you can tighten those purse strings and find a little extra to put into your repayments you could save a huge amount of money and cut years off your loan.

Home Loans

14 Nov, 2011

3 min read