Home Loans Articles

How much is enough?

The hardest aspect of buying a home is saving for the deposit. For many of us, that means scrimping and saving, possibly for years, to gather the magic number that will allow us to bid farewell to rented digs.

First home buyers back in the game?

First home buyers are still showing signs of caution this year making up just 15.5 percent of all borrowers on average for the 12 months to July 2011, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics numbers.

How to tailor a home loan for you

If you’re in the market for a home loan and unsatisfied with the standard offering, don’t despair – some lenders provide customised home loans.

Are you ready for the next interest rate rise?

It’s nine months since the last interest rate rise by the Reserve Bank and while opinions vary on the timing of the next upward swing, one thing is certain – interest rates cannot remain at historically low levels.

How you can compare home loans to save

The elusive “cheapest mortgage” spurs home loan hunters to scramble the market for weeks before settling on a good deal. But while it’s easy to compare interest rates, few learn what it really takes to find the cheapest mortgage until they’re paying more than they have to.

The age old question to rent or buy?

It seems like a perennial debate, but for many Australians surrounded by financial and economic uncertainty, the decision about whether to rent or buy a home has arguably never been more relevant.

Unlock the equity in your home

If you’re a homeowner, before you put that next big purchase on your credit card, you may want to consider a line of credit on your home loan.

How to spot a dodgy home loan

Dodgy deals, misleading ads, and fake companies are just some of the landmines in the home loans market. To keep yourself safe from stress and scandals, here are some common symptoms of bad lending for the savvy borrower.

The biggest purchase you'll ever make

There are no 'secrets' to buying a house or affording a mortgage, rather following simple principles for money management should see you through the biggest financial commitment of your life.

Is fixing your home loan your best bet?

Lenders have started competing aggressively in the fixed home loan market by dropping rates, and it seems to be working.

Saving for a home easier now than five years ago

Average Australians face a better prospect of saving for a first home now compared to five years ago and especially two years ago, new research has shown.

Are you ready for mortgage season?

It's only one week until spring and that means neighbourhoods across the country will be dotted with 'open house' signs every weekend. Thanks to steady house prices nationwide, it's a buyer's market.

Slash your mortgage by $32,000

Want to reduce the amount of interest you pay on your home loan? It can be as simple as linking your everyday banking with your mortgage using an offset feature.

First home buyers hung out to dry?

Despite some growth in the past few months, there were around 60,000 fewer first home buyers to enter the market in the 12 months to May 2011 than last year, says RateCity.

Chop $77,000 off your mortgage

Cropping almost five years, and about $77,000, off your home loan may be as simple as increasing your repayment frequency from once per month to fortnightly. But the amount you save will depend entirely on your lender and their method of calculating interest.

Falling fixed rates a sign of what's to come?

A further drop in some fixed interest mortgage rates has fuelled speculation that the Reserve Bank will slash the cash rate when it meets on Tuesday (August 2). But consumers are being urged not to become complacent with debt levels and continue to pay down debt where possible.

Is your lender trying to supersize you?

Next time you go into your mortgage or bank branch to conduct some day-to-day business, beware the smiling customer service operative behind the counter. According to a new survey, they might be out to sell you a shiny new financial product you don’t want or need but that they’ll have you thinking you just can’t live without!

Property bubble set to burst?

Whether or not you believe the ‘housing bubble’ a) exists, and b) is set to burst,