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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

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

Money Editor

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

Money Editor

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

Money Editor

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

Money Editor

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

Home loans for the over 45s now tougher to obtain

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Is rural Australia the next investment property boom zone?

With many property investors taking advantage of the threat of rising interest rates and other financial factors keeping first homebuyers out of the market, Australia’s rural areas are emerging as an investment hot spot.

Home Loans

30 May, 2011

3 min read

Is rural Australia the next investment property boom zone?

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Get into your own home sooner

Get into your own home sooner by capitalising your Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

Home Loans

26 May, 2011

2 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

The real cost of defaulting on your mortgage

Skipping a mortgage repayment once per year over the life of your home loan could extend your mortgage by two years and see you paying an extra $33,000 in interest and late fees. That's the cost of defaulting annually on an average 25-year, $300,000 home loan

Home Loans

25 May, 2011

3 min read

The real cost of defaulting on your mortgage

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Is now the right time to buy your first home?

With slightly lower prices, reasonable interest rates and plenty of properties to choose from, is 2011 shaping up as a great year for first homebuyers?

Home Loans

24 May, 2011

2 min read

Is now the right time to buy your first home?

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Taking the stress out of your first home loan

Use these handy tips to take the legwork out of owning your first home! Get help, get tailored, use calculators and much more.

Home Loans

21 May, 2011

2 min read

Taking the stress out of your first home loan

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Interest rates will rise

In the period from October 2009 to November 2010, Australian homeowners were hit by seven interest rate rises. But the honeymoon is about to end, according to finance experts.

Home Loans

20 May, 2011

2 min read

Patricia Babalis

What happens if I default on my home loan?

It's often hard when you fall on tough times to get yourself back on your feet. Home loan debt can become a scary black hole that once you've fallen into can feel impossible to rise out of.

Home Loans

18 May, 2011

4 min read