Home Loans Articles

RBA unlikely to surprise mortgage holders today

The Reserve Bank is expected to keep official rate steady at 2 per cent today, despite indications from the board that the next move will be down.A RateCity.com.au analysis of the key economic indicators shows that an unexpected rise in unemployment and sluggish inflation won’t be enough to spur the Reserve Bank into action this month. Sally Tindall, money editor at RateCity.com.au, said that while these indicators pointed to a rate cut, the RBA board was expected to bank it for another day.

Rates on hold but market still awash with home loan bargains

The RBA has this afternoon announced that rates will remain on hold for the moment but banks are continuing to offer low interest rate deals for ideal borrowers with big deposits.

Reverse mortgages for seniors

If you are approaching or in retirement you may be looking at ways to fund your lifestyle without having to rely on anyone. One way of doing this is by harnessing the equity in your home to take out a reverse mortgage.

Lenders slash home loan rates in 2016, with just one catch

Competition among mortgage providers is already heating up with hot new discounts from a range of lenders hitting the market in the first few weeks of January. AMP Bank, Beyond Bank, Click Home Loans, IMB, Mortgage House and Suncorp Bank have all announced new low rates in 2016, slashed by up to 0.45 percentage points.

Domain's Home Price Guide: How much is your property worth?

After launching the Home Price Guide in August, property website Domain.com.au has launched a new feature, Track My Home, which allows property owners to update the details of their property – including recent renovations, extensions and refreshes – to receive a current property value estimate.

Property, super and more: What lies ahead for 2016?

Will house prices rise or fall? Will the government implement changes to the super system? And will customers be able to wear online banking technology?

What a US Fed Rate Rise means for Australia

An improving job market in the United States and a strengthening national economy is likely to see the US Federal Reserve (Fed) lift rates for the first time in a decade this week. The Fed itself has been abundantly clear it is keen to begin the “normalisation” of US monetary policy, but mixed US economic data in recent weeks has thrown a question mark into the mix. Dr Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist at AMP Capital still believes a rate hike on 16 December is 70 per cent likely.

Bank of mum and dad' popular choice for first home buyers

It’s always been a bank you can trust, but just how popular is the bank of mum and dad? New RateCity research shows that half of Gen Y couples now need financial help from their parents to get into the property market. Property prices have sky-rocketed in the last five years, particularly in our capital cities, so it’s no wonder a lot of younger people are struggling to outbid cashed-up investors at the point of sale.

Borrowers look to fixed rates as cash rate stalls

The cash rate may have stalled but the appetite for fixed home loans has soared, as Australians look to take advantage of historically low rates. RateCity.com.au data shows that the number of people looking for fixed home loans has increased 58 per cent in the last seven weeks, in line with the major banks’ decision to lift variable rates, compared with the seven weeks prior.

Is now the time to fix your home loan?

A total of 11 lenders, including several major banks, have dropped their three year fixed rates in the last fortnight to lows of 3.89 per cent. With rates at record lows, is now a good time to fix?

Why you've got a $372 hole in your pocket today

RateCity research shows that ‘Rate Hike Friday’ will hit mortgage holders by an average of 0.17 percentage points, or $372 per year on a $300,000 home loan.

Australians urged not to be complacent as rates stay on hold

The Reserve Bank may have left rates on hold today but mortgage holders are urged to take matters into their own hands if they are unhappy with their rate.

The cost of complacency - could you have saved $23K?

The rate hike from the big four banks which takes affect this month, comes at a time when most people are predicting another rate cut. Is this the final straw for complacent borrowers? New research from RateCity shows that if you have been a long time mortgage holder with one of the big banks, you could have saved yourself $1000's, but that it's not too late to switch.

Differential home loan pricing set to stay

The slowing in investor borrowing revealed in RBA figures released today are set to continue in coming months with more lenders offering different home loan rates, according to leading financial comparison website RateCity.

Owning your own home just got 0.85% more affordable

The introduction of different rates for investors and owner-occupiers is turning the tables on the property market

Crunch before you commit - why rewards may lose you money

Competition in the home loan market continues to run hot, but are introductory offers such as cash back or rewards points actually worth it?

A beginner's guide to refinancing home loans

Is a home loan no longer giving you the financial benefits it once did? Here are some of the pros and cons of refinancing and selecting a new loan.

Five financial tips for newlyweds

Just married? Just about ready to buy a home? Here are some tips for newlyweds that are yet to organise their home loan or other finances.