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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.

RateCity

Should you have life insurance?

Like most things in life, we don't realise how important or how much we need something until it's too late. Life insurance isn't high on the list of proprieties when you are younger but it should be as soon as you make your first big purchase, like taking out a home loan.

Home Loans

14 Dec, 2010

2 min read

Kate Cowling

What inspections do you need when buying a home?

Buying a home can be a tricky and costly process, one which could end up costing you money before you even make an offer on a home. Once you have your home loan sorted and have few a properties in mind you can start carrying out the inspections.

Home Loans

14 Dec, 2010

3 min read

What inspections do you need when buying a home?

Patricia Babalis

Should I fix my home loan?

Applying for a home loan requires making many decisions. The option to fix your interest rate or not is one that many people struggle with. There are positives and negatives for both but with a little bit of research you can make an educated decision that will suit your personal requirements.

Home Loans

14 Dec, 2010

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

How to pay less on your mortgage no matter when you started

Whether you're in your first year of a mortgage, you took out a home loan before the global financial crisis or you've had your variable rate for five years, there are ways to ensure you are getting the best deal and save yourself money

Home Loans

08 Dec, 2010

3 min read

How to pay less on your mortgage no matter when you started

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

5 percent deposit, don't get sucked in

First home buyers entering the property market are being warned of advertisements for home loans with high loan-to-value ratios (LVR) because they may not be as enticing as they sound. According to RateCity more than half (51 percent) of home loans currently monitored on its website offer 95 percent loan-to-value ratios (LVR).

Home Loans

08 Dec, 2010

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Don't be a victim of rising home loan rates

As a result of the recent interest rate increases many households are struggling to meet their home loan repayments, but is it possible to ease the burden and still get ahead?

Home Loans

08 Dec, 2010

3 min read

Don't be a victim of rising home loan rates

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Will lenders recoup lost exit fees by hiking up other mortgage costs?

Mortgage lenders charging excessive early exit fees have been advised to change their ways thanks to new guidance set by ASIC. But will other costs for mortgages increase as a consequence?

Home Loans

08 Dec, 2010

3 min read

Will lenders recoup lost exit fees by hiking up other mortgage costs?

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Major four banks standard variable rate highest since late 2008

Standard variable rates from the major four banks are the highest they been in two years. Meanwhile the gap between them is also increasing - does this mean more competition in the market? According to RateCity, interest rates from the major four banks have increased to levels not seen since the start of the global financial crisis in 2008.

Home Loans

08 Dec, 2010

3 min read

Major four banks standard variable rate highest since late 2008

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Mortgage applications drop further

More and more Australians are putting off applying for home loans, especially in Queensland. But despite recent rate increases if you are in the market for a home loan your dream may still be possible.

Home Loans

08 Dec, 2010

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

Mortgage lenders that reward you for your loyalty

Some smaller lenders are rewarding loyal borrowers by offering substantial discounts on their home loans after a period of time, but while these may seem attractive are you really better off?

Home Loans

06 Dec, 2010

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Money Editor

The seesaw of fixed and variable home loans

While rates for some variable home loans have increased and fixed mortgage rates dropped, will borrowers be better off fixing their home loans right now? Out of more than 100 lenders monitored by RateCity, 66 have increased their variable home loan rates by as much as 45 basis points from November 1 to November 22.

Home Loans

24 Nov, 2010

3 min read

The seesaw of fixed and variable home loans

RateCity

Home loan terms: loan-to-value ratio

Understanding home loan terms for those who are new to the Australian property market can be like learning the alphabet again. Make yourself familiar with the terms and purchasing a property will become that little bit easier. Let's kick it off with loan-to-value ratios.

Home Loans

23 Nov, 2010

3 min read