Home Loans Articles

Could you save a packet with a package?

Home owners are flocking to 'package loans' combining a mortgage, transaction account and credit card all with the one lender – but are they all that they're cracked up to be?

Is equity the key to wealth?

Keen to buy a rental property but short of a deposit? Your home equity could open the door.

Baby on board, are you financially prepared?

Thinking of starting a family? Now's the time to make plans for managing your finances once your baby comes on board.

Grants: are they best for first home buyers?

Australian property prices show no sign of easing. If you’re a first home buyer, eager to jump into the market, you’ve probably been keeping an eye on federal and state government grants and stamp duty exemptions in the hope that they can help you buy your first home faster.

Use your mortgage to achieve 2012 goals

As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Day around two-thirds of Australians made financial resolutions – and our home loans could hold the key to making them happen.

Australian home loan types

Securing finance for a new home is one of life’s biggest hurdles and to find the best Australian home loan you have to do your research. Home loan features are unique, as are borrowers requirements, so it's important to assess the different types of home loans, lenders, rates and features to find the best fit for you.

What does a home loan calculator do in Australia?

Gaining finance for a new home can be one of life’s biggest hurdles. But, with online tools such as RateCity’s series of home loan calculators, finding the right home loan for your needs can be simplified.

Types of home loans

Choosing a home loan is a big financial decision riddled with many choices. Often the more choices we are presented with the more confused and anxious we get. But despite the many home loan options in the Australian market there are three key points that can help you along the right path.

New initiative impacts borrowers

As many Australians rose bleary-eyed from their new year's celebrations, borrowers also woke to a timely pick-me-up from the federal government, with Canberra's banking reform legislation now making it compulsory for lending institutions to supply a home loan fact sheet to prospective borrowers, upon request.

Calculate your mortgage repayments

Signing your name on a 30 year home loan can be extremely daunting. Concerns about repayments, job security and unavoidable life circumstances can plague you during this time. But while it can be scary there are a few steps you can take to ease your mind and save you valuable money.

Work out your mortgage repayments

Are you in the market for a home loan and keen to find out how much you can afford to borrow? Or are you considering refinancing your loan?

Save $90K on your home loan with ease

Having a mortgage may seem like a massive long-term financial commitment. But with a few simple tips, you could shave tens of thousands of dollars off the balance and be mortgage-free years sooner.

Are you cut out to be a landlord?

With housing supply still trailing population growth, rents across Australia continue to rise steadily and rental yields – the percentage of rental income compared to the property's price – are more favourable than ever. That's good news for landlords and wannabe-landlords alike – now is a good time to consider property investment. But what does it take to be successful at it?

Is 5 percent enough to save for your first home?

First home buyers entering the property market would be wise to consider saving at least 10 percent of the purchase price, despite most lenders now requiring just 5 percent down payment.

The financial battle of the sexes, who will win?

If you're a single woman and the prospect of finding a mortgage leaves you overwhelmed don't feel alone – most women feel just like you. There are some positive steps you can take to become more confident about choosing a home loan.

How to own your dream home within a year

As interest rates continue to fall, the dream of owning your own home may seem more achievable for many Australians. So if you're a first home buyer with a goal of securing a property next mortgage season, here are some tips to help make the dream a reality.

Three biggest mistakes when buying a home

It's the biggest purchase most of us are ever likely to make, so any mistakes we make in the process of buying a home are likely to be costly –financially and emotionally.

How the rate cut will impact you

Home owners and potential first home buyers got an early Christmas present yesterday when the Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate for the second consecutive month to 4.25 percent.