Home Loans Articles

Home loan repayment methods

If only home loans came with an instruction manual explaining the difference between all the facts and figures. Understanding your repayments, interest, fees and charges can be overwhelming and it's easy to overlook, or not understand certain aspects.

Home loan calculations

When selecting the best home loan for your circumstances, taking some smart steps early could potentially save you thousands of dollars over the life of the home loan.

The importance of comparing Aussie home loans

When comparing Aussie home loans there are many factors to take into consideration. The best way to get started is to carry out a comparison. By comparing home loans side-by-side you can get a great overall look at what each Aussie home loan is offering and work out what matters most to you.

Looking to buy? Calculate your home loan repayments.

Are you planning to take out a home loan to purchase a home or unit? Working out your budget, expenses, how much the bank will lend you and how much you can comfortably afford to pay back is the first step towards achieving this.

Can you beat interest rate hikes?

The mere mention of the words 'interest rate hikes' send many homeowners into a spin as they debate the long-term financial benefits of fixing their rate versus riding out the variable rollercoaster. So why should you fix your home loan rate and when is the right time to lock it in?

Mortgages at mates' rates

A growing group of Australians are pooling funds to buy a home jointly, enabling them to get a foot on the property ladder when they may be otherwise locked out of the market. But the pitfalls of buying with friends or family can outweigh the benefits, unless all parties share a common goal.

How to bag a real estate bargain

Everyone wants to find a bargain when house-hunting and in a real estate market such as this; when house prices are either flat or declining, now could be the time to get a foot on the property ladder.

More doors open to the home loan market

Many more potential homeowners will be eligible for mortgages this year than for the past three years, as institutions loosen the belt on lending criteria, new research shows.

Downsize your house expenses, not your home

The rising cost of living is pushing more homeowners to the brink, with around one in 10 Australians forced to downsize their home last year to reduce living expenses, new research has revealed.

Is it the right time to fix your home loan?

The mere mention of the words 'rate rise' sends many homeowners into a spin, as they debate the long-term financial benefits of fixing their rate compared to riding out the variable rate rollercoaster. But is now the right time to fix your home loan?

Calculating your home loan repayments

Choosing the right home loan can seem almost as challenging as finding a suitable home. The good news is that with RateCity’s repayment calculator for mortgages, help is at your fingertips – literally!

Home loan repayment calculator

Choosing the best home loan from the vast array of lenders in Australia can be a complicated business. With literally hundreds of mortgages to choose from, it’s essential you shop around and compare home loans to find the most suitable product.

Calculate the best home loan for you

With homeowners spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a home loan, choosing the right loan can seem like a complicated task. A great way to narrow down your search is to compare loans online by using repayment calculators to estimate repayment amounts, total interest payable and the total loan amount.

How to pay off your home loan sooner

The more money you repay into your home loan, the faster you will pay it off and the less overall interest you will pay.

How to fake a pay rise

Would you like to increase your disposable income by 5 to 10 percent, but can't convince your employer that you deserve a pay rise? There may be another way to beef up your spending (or saving) money without having to wrestle the extra money from your boss, and the solution involves shopping!

Get on top of your finances with 3 simple steps

If the festive season has left you feeling a little flat, financially, there are a few tools to get you back on top of your budget and in control of your money.

Switching banks, why should you bother?

With ANZ and Westpac Bank's decision to raise mortgage rates independently of the Reserve Bank, lifting standard variable rates by 6 and 10 basis points respectively, RateCity estimates that around 1 million variable home loan customers will be impacted before the end of the month.

Honeymoon rates and rate tracker loans

Variable rate and the fixed rate home loans are the most popular home mortgage rates for Australian homeowners. However, if you are looking to save some money in the short term or are a first time buyer, there are increasingly flexible options such as ‘honeymoon’ and ‘rate tracker’ loans that might be worth exploring.