RateCity
Five ways to slash your home loan interest bill
Even at today’s low rates, the total interest bill can amount to almost as much as the initial loan. But there are ways to reduce the mortgage quickly and painlessly to save interest.
Reserve Bank Interest Rate Announcement
May update: RBA cuts the cash rate to 2.75 percent
Property investors surge into the market
February saw the highest value of investment loans written since before the global financial crisis, with investors borrowing $7.9 billion, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.
From credit cards to car loans and the mortgage, you can free yourself from debt. There are simple tips to cover everything and free up some cash in the weekly budget.
Rent or buy: which puts you on top?
The mortgage is taking a bigger chunk of our income now, despite lower interest rates. But is it cheaper to rent than buy?
There’s no magic when it comes to saving money on your home loan.
More home owners fall behind on loan payments
The number of home loan borrowers in arrears of 30 days or more on mortgage repayments increased to 1.46 percent, up 10 basis points compared to the September 2012 quarter.
New hurdle for first home buyers
Despite lower interest rates, it’s now more costly for some first home buyers to enter the property market than it was this time last year, research shows.
Two in five home owners are saving for a major renovation this year.
Three mistakes home buyers make
Steady house prices and low interest rates are encouraging would-be buyers into the property market.
Housing market “definitely unaffordable”, say experts
First-home buyers are not showing any great enthusiasm to buy into the Aussie dream.
Australian women “stressed” about money
Half of the female population are stressed and overwhelmed when they have to deal with money, and it’s getting worse, research shows.
Reserve Bank Interest Rate Annoucement April
April update: RBA leaves the cash rate on hold at 3 percent
A step-by-step guide to buying your first home
If you've made the decision to buy your first home, it's probably a safe bet that you're more than a little confused.
How to identify a property hot spot
Buying property does not automatically guarantee financial success. But make a sound purchase, choose a home loan wisely, and a buyer stands to gain tens of thousands of dollars, even in a slow property market.
Five mistakes property investors make
Before you apply for your first mortgage as a property investor, take the time to consider the most common mistakes to avoid.
At a time when your expenses are set to skyrocket, you may also be adjusting to a single income. With a little planning, though, you can make the transition painless and easy.
Government relocation plan a ‘farce’
The four-year scheme has been capped at 40,000 grants, but figures from the Office of State Revenue show just 1363 grants were provided across NSW between June 2011 until October last year.
The financial incentive most first buyers overlook
New figures released by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority show up until December 39,000 accounts had been opened – about 19 times fewer than initially predicted.
Aussies still at risk in housing drought
A report from the federal government’s independent advisor on housing, the National Housing Supply Council (NHSC), has warned of the long-term consequences of constricted new supply and low affordability.
January applications through the site showed an almost 50 percent jump in uptake of fixed rates compared to January 2012.
Consumer cartel could force $100k loan savings
Banks are earning more profit on mortgages – 0.88 percent after tax – than at any time since 2004, according to a new report from global investment bank UBS.
Reserve Bank Interest Rate Annoucement March
March update: RBA leaves rates on hold
Big new incentives to help home buyers
Developers are offering up lavish gifts and money-can’t-buy experiences to prospective homebuyers in an effort to kick start a sluggish home building market.
Investors are property’s big winners
Property investors are hundreds of dollars per month better off now than they were two years ago, with falling interest rates and rising rents providing a healthy income boost, research shows.
