Mark Bristow

How home loan calculators can help you

Whether you’re buying your first home, refinancing your mortgage, or looking to buy an investment property, it’s usually a good idea to make some calculations to work out if you’re making the best choice for your financial situation.

How to buy your first home

Ready to take the step from renter to home owner? It’s one of the biggest financial commitments you may ever make, so it’s important to get an understanding of the process involved before taking the plunge.

What is a basic home loan?

A basic home loan does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s where you borrow money to buy a property. Basic home loans are popular with some borrowers as they often have lower interest rates and fees than other options. However, basic home loans may not offer the popular features and benefits that could deliver extra value to some mortgage holders.

Can you lock in a fixed home loan rate if you're still looking for a house?

So you decided to lock in a fixed rate home loan while the rates are hot? But what happens if you haven't settled on your new home yet? While you would be inclined to panic every time there was talk of an interest rate rise, there is a way to avoid this and lock in your fixed rate before you're approved.

What is the Reserve Bank of Australia and what does it do?

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is Australia's central bank. Part of its role involves setting Australia’s monetary policy, which can make a significant impact on the cost of loans, as well as your ability to grow your savings.

COVID still hitting young people in the wallet – how can you get your finances back on track?

While much of Australia is on a road to recovery after the past few years of financial ups and downs, Australians under 24 are still struggling to shake off the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report.

How to reduce home loan debt

Finding ways to lower your outstanding mortgage debt could potentially help to lower your risk of financial stress, and even make more options available for managing your personal finances.

How to borrow money in Australia

Borrowing money in Australia isn’t as easy as walking into a bank and walking back out with a big bag of cash. Whether you’re borrowing money to buy a home or for other purposes, you’ll need to fulfil certain eligibility criteria to see your loan application approved.

How to understand your mortgage repayments

Whether you’re working out if you can afford a home loan, or if you already have a mortgage, it’s worth understanding exactly what goes into your mortgage repayments, so you can be confident that you’re getting value for money.

What is a home loan offset account?

When used carefully, a mortgage offset account can cut years off your home loan and save you thousands of dollars.