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Learn more about how to manage your personal finances with RateCity's home loan articles, including how-to-guides on comparing home loan interest rates, fees, features and other benefits.

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Is negative gearing to blame for house unaffordability?

Negative gearing allows investors to claim any losses they incur on an investment property against their personal tax income and is often accused of driving up the price of property by encouraging investors to enter the market. Some economists have called for it to be abolished, and many blame it for Australia’s housing unaffordability.

Home Loans

22 Sep, 2023

6 min read

Is negative gearing to blame for house unaffordability?

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

How to invest in Australian property as a non-resident

Investing in Australian property can often prove lucrative for international investors, thanks to the high-quality lifestyle, and choice of locations. If you want to invest in Australian property, you’ll need to understand the rules and regulations governing non-resident borrowers. Before your application for a non-resident home loan can be approved, the government authorities will evaluate it.

Home Loans

22 Sep, 2023

6 min read

How to invest in Australian property as a non-resident

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Fixed vs variable rates: which is better, and can you have both?

Whether you are buying your first home, refinancing or purchasing an investment property, make sure you compare the best home loans on the market to see if home ownership is a good financial step for you.

Home Loans

22 Sep, 2023

5 min read

Fixed vs variable rates: which is better, and can you have both?

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

What is a mortgage registration fee?

When you buy or refinance a property, there are some extra costs to budget for. As well as covering your lender’s upfront fees, there are government charges to consider, such as the mortgage registration fee, which covers the cost of adding the mortgage on your home to the land titles office in your state or territory.

Home Loans

20 Sep, 2023

4 min read

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

How to make an offer on a house

Once you’ve been preapproved for a home loan, you can start house-hunting with confidence, knowing your finances are ready. Once you find a property that suits your needs and your budget, you can take the next step and make an offer. But what is the exact process of making an offer on a house, unit, or investment property?

Home Loans

20 Sep, 2023

7 min read

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

The benefits of refinancing a home loan

If you’ve been paying off your home loan for some time now, you’ve likely thought about refinancing. After all, the chances that your current home loan is still the best option available for you may not be as high as you think.

Home Loans

10 Sep, 2023

7 min read

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Should you refinance or negotiate a better home loan rate?

After you’ve held your mortgage for a few years, a question that often comes up is whether to refinance to something better, or to negotiate with your current lender for a better interest rate?

Home Loans

07 Sep, 2023

5 min read

Should you refinance or negotiate a better home loan rate?

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

How to improve your chances of getting approved for a home loan

Unfortunately, many home loan applications are rejected for avoidable reasons, such as unusually high living expenses, or providing incorrect documentation. Understanding what may lead to your home loan application’s rejection may help you to increase your home loan’s approval chances.

Home Loans

07 Sep, 2023

7 min read

How to improve your chances of getting approved for a home loan

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

How much does it cost to break a fixed mortgage?

Choosing to refinance or repay a home loan during its fixed rate period often means the lender will charge you a break fee. The cost of this fee will vary based on how long is left on your fixed rate term and how much interest rates have changed since you applied for the loan. With break costs reaching tens of thousands of dollars in some cases, they may affect the overall value of your refinance.

Home Loans

05 Sep, 2023

6 min read

How much does it cost to break a fixed mortgage?

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Can I add someone to my home loan?

A joint application is one of the simplest and most common methods for two people to end up with their names on a mortgage. But adding a second person to a mortgage that’s already in place can be more complex, and will likely require refinancing.

Home Loans

01 Sep, 2023

6 min read

Peter Terlato

Personal Finance Editor

What is a cashback mortgage broker?

Cashback mortgage brokers generally credit all ongoing lender commissions, in cash, to the borrower. These funds are usually paid by the lender on a monthly or annual basis for the life of the loan.

Home Loans

29 Aug, 2023

6 min read

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Checklist of documents needed for a home loan application

Once you’ve decided to apply for a home loan, the first step is to start gathering the necessary documents for the application process. While the exact disclosures required can differ from lender to lender, there are specific documents that are usually mandatory to supply while applying for a mortgage. Even if your lender requires additional documents, preparing the basics beforehand could save you considerable time.

Home Loans

25 Aug, 2023

3 min read