Home Loans Articles

How to save your home from another rate increase

With six rate rises over the past eight months and four rate rises this year alone, home owners are feeling the pinch after yet another rate hike this month. RateCity looks at why refinancing your mortgage may aid in reducing the financial pressure.

Getting a home loan in spite of a bad credit history

Have you ever forgotten to pay a bill or two? Or previously been declined for a loan? You may be one of the many credit-impaired people with a desire to get into the housing market but are unsure if your past is going to catch up with you. RateCity shows you how owning a home can be possible for those with a bad credit history.

What happens if I miss mortgage repayments?

When we sign up for a mortgage we can get so caught up in the dream of owning a home that we haven't suitably prepared for the actual impact the repayments will have on our life. The main problem is, if you have a bad week and miss a payment, you will be stung with a fee, magnifying to your home loan repayment woes.

Beat the mortgage blues Fluff your nest without the price tag

Saving to buy your own home can be tough, but what’s even tougher is meeting those mortgage repayments. Here are some simple tips and tricks to help you swindle some extra cash for rising mortgage repayments - without sacrificing on shopping.

Make late mortgage repayments a thing of the past

Are you thinking of skipping a home-loan repayment? With late fees costing up to $195, you may want to think twice. RateCity looks at what you can do to avoid late mortgage repayment fees.

What are mortgage rates and types?

You start feeling all grown up when someone starts talking to you about mortgage rates but what exactely does fixed or variable insterest rates mean for you on a daily basis? Like all loans, we know we have to pay it off but how the rates are set and when we make payments vary from lender to lender.

Investors take advantage of rate hikes

As interest rates rise, home buyers are taking a back seat with applying for home loans and investors are back in the game.

Unlock your equity the easy way

If you own your home but require extra money for whatever reason, taking out a reverse mortgage could be one option to consider.

Relief for home buyers with smaller lenders

Housing finance numbers have declined according to new research. RateCity investigates how Australians can make buying a home a reality as interest rates rise.

Don't be a statistic Reduce mortgage stress

New research by RateCity shows that many households are at higher risk of mortgage stress. Discover why a large percentage of Australians are struggling to meet their repayments and how you can reduce your mortgage stress levels to make your life a little easier.

Home loan repayment calculators

Want to know how much you can afford to borrow? Need to work out how much your regular mortgage repayments will be? Want to know how much interest you will be paying on your home loan? Use a mortgage repayment calculator to work out the nitty gritty financial details before entering into a home loan.

New home loan rewards for greener choices

The Federal Government set up a green loan scheme to encourage Australians to reduce greenhouse emissions. The scheme has wound up but a group of lenders have recognised the growing demand for green products in the home loan market.

Big four banks making $1.33B extra from your mortgage

Are you with one of the big four banks for your standard variable home loan? If you are, you could be paying an extra $700 more in interest per year. RateCity investigates how the big four banks measure up when it comes to your home loan.

Save $64,000 on your home loan with ease

Having a mortgage is a massive long-term financial commitment. So if there was a way for you to pay it off sooner, wouldn’t you jump at the chance to find out how? Here are some tips to show you how easy it can be to own your home sooner and save potentially tens of thousands of dollars.

Home loan rates going up What you can do to dodge the bullet

We all are aware of interest rates and the effect that their changes have on the economy and more importantly on our bank balances. But did you know that each month interest rates are constantly changing, and most of the time we are unaware of it even happening?

No incentives, no worries - 2010 is ripe for home buyers

Find the upside to downward pressure on the home loan market. Despite rising interest rates and the drawback of government incentives, 2010 may be the perfect time to buy a home, according to some mortgage experts.

Low doc, high cost Be careful of low doc home loans

A growing number of Australians take up the option of self-employment each year, and for many, a ‘low doc’ loan offers the key to home ownership. Low doc home loans are pitched specifically at borrowers who can’t meet lenders’ traditional proof of income requirements.

How much will you pay for home loan satisfaction?

In the wake of Australia’s economic recovery, major banks have reported record profits and market share growth. This has raised concerns about the direction of banking competition in the country