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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

Head of Public Relations

Property investors buoy flagging housing market

Australian Finance Group (AFG) has released data stating that investors are responsible for an unexpected 18.8 percent hike in mortgage sales in May. The figures also revealed that investment buyers accounted for 36.5 percent of the market in the same period.

Home Loans

17 Jun, 2011

2 min read

Property investors buoy flagging housing market

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Housing boost for the Sunshine State

The cost of buying a new home in Queensland is set to ease in about six weeks when the state government's building boost grant comes into effect. But other plans to emerge from the Queensland state budget will mean some residents will pay increased stamp duty.

Home Loans

17 Jun, 2011

3 min read

Kate Cowling

The real costs of a home loan

Disguised by a league of various names including application, start-up, set-up or up-front fees, whatever you call it, an application fee will always be applied when signing up for a new home. But along with this, what are the other costs, the real costs, of a home loan?

Home Loans

14 Jun, 2011

3 min read

Kate Cowling

Should you be rewarded for your home loan loyalty?

These days it pays to be a loyal customer. More and more companies, including home loan lenders, are realising the importance of customer retention because of the competitive Australian market. In order to keep their customers from looking and going elsewhere they need to offer further incentives to keep their customers loyal.

Home Loans

08 Jun, 2011

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Does your mortgage reward your loyalty?

The number of lenders offering loyalty discounts to mortgage customers has almost doubled in six months, as competition in the home loans market heats up. Loyalty discount home loans reward borrowers with a rate discount after they have held the loan for a certain period of time such as one or two years, encouraging continued loyalty.

Home Loans

08 Jun, 2011

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Home loan wars heat up

As the housing market remains flat, it certainly pays to compare home loans. The major banks are offering discounted interest rates and larger mortgages in a bid to entice borrowers back to the market.

Home Loans

07 Jun, 2011

2 min read

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Is your mortgage really an 'award winner'?

Any foray into the complex world of trying to find the best mortgage is bound to yield an array of products that claim to be award-winning leaders in the field. But as Choice magazine’s Ingrid Just says, it pays to look beyond the gold medals and blue ribbons.

Home Loans

06 Jun, 2011

2 min read

Is your mortgage really an 'award winner' ?

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Aussies skip mortgage repayments at record highs

Skipping a mortgage repayment is becoming more common among Australian households, according to new research from Fitch Ratings. The number of homes that missed a monthly home loan repayment set a new record high in the March quarter.

Home Loans

06 Jun, 2011

3 min read

Aussies skip mortgage repayments at record highs

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Economic slump will not save us from a rate rise

Homeowners hoping that interest rates remain steady as Australia's export earnings continue to drop look set to be disappointed.

Home Loans

06 Jun, 2011

2 min read

Economic slump will not save us from a rate rise

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Home loan spotlight: Second mortgages

Thinking of taking out a second mortgage? Ask yourself first if you would be better off refinancing and, if you still wish to go ahead, make sure you consider the good the bad and the ugly.

Home Loans

04 Jun, 2011

2 min read

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Top mistakes people make when choosing a home loan

Phil Naylor, CEO of MFAA, reveals where you can go wrong trying to find the right mortgage products in a crowded market place.

Home Loans

02 Jun, 2011

2 min read

Top mistakes people make when choosing a home loan

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Home loans for the over-45s now tougher to obtain

Legally, anyone aged over 18 can apply for a mortgage. In reality, lenders are wary of approving older applicants because, to put it bluntly, they need to know you’re going to be around to service the debt.

Home Loans

01 Jun, 2011

2 min read