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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.

RateCity

What is a fixed mortgage?

In times when interest rates are set to rise more Australians turn to fixed rates for stability. A fixed rate mortgage sets your repayments for a period of time on a fixed rate often 1 to 5 years in length.

Home Loans

09 Dec, 2009

1 min read

RateCity

Government Boost

The Government boost, also known as the First Home Owners Boost was introduced by the Federal Government in 2008 to help stimulate Australia’s property market and encourage people who have never purchased a home buy their first property

Home Loans

03 Dec, 2009

1 min read

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

New homes become the first buys for 2010

Experts believe that this is the perfect time for keen home buyers to snap up bargains in the housing market, which puts home loans at the top of many shopping lists. Is it a good time to buy a home with interest rates on the rise?

Home Loans

01 Dec, 2009

3 min read

New homes become the first buys for 2010

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

2010 Hotspots Biggest property bargains revealed

A report of Australia’s cheapest property areas reveal ’hotspots’ for price growth that are almost $400,000 less than median house prices across the country. These bargain properties are fodder for investors, and home buyers wishing to own a property outright as soon as possible.

Home Loans

01 Dec, 2009

3 min read

2010 Hotspots Biggest property bargains revealed

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Rudd tells home buyers to stand on their own feet

When it comes to home loans, the Australian government isn’t prepared to hold consumers’ hands anymore, and home buyers are expected to rely on their own decisions, according to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Home Loans

01 Dec, 2009

3 min read

Rudd tells home buyers to stand on their own feet

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Mortgage trends Basic is in, fixed is out, and capped is hot

Despite a recent string of rate hikes, borrowers are shunning fixed rate home loans. The latest ABS figures on housing finance show that demand for fixed loans fell by more than 10 percent, with fewer than 6 percent of homebuyers locking into a fixed rate.

Home Loans

01 Dec, 2009

3 min read

Mortgage trends Basic is in, fixed is out, and capped is hot

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Bricks and boards - Construction loans solve housing shortage

Many home loan borrowers are now considering taking up construction loans to save on costs and help with building more homes for future generations. The housing shortage is crippling Australia, according to experts who believe that the undersupply of properties will cause future suffering for home buyers.

Home Loans

01 Dec, 2009

3 min read

Bricks and boards - Construction loans solve housing shortage

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Interest rates to hit 5 percent in 2010

The recent interest rate rises may be just the beginning of a long climb for home loan rates, with economists predicting that the Reserve Bank cash rate will rise to 5 percent by Christmas 2010.

Home Loans

30 Nov, 2009

3 min read

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Summer buying Now is the time to find a home and borrow

Summer is a season for family gatherings, beach holidays and long, lazy afternoons. For savvy home buyers, it may also be a good time to snap up your dream home and score the best home loan deals on the market.

Home Loans

30 Nov, 2009

3 min read

Summer buying Now is the time to find a home and borrow

Georgia Brown

Personal Finance Editor

What is a redraw facility?

Home Loans

30 Nov, 2009

2 min read

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

How will first home buyer cap affect you?

Buyers’ Cap, which forces future buyers receiving the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) to keep under a price limit. Those who are planning on taking a larger home loan will have to look elsewhere to save.

Home Loans

23 Nov, 2009

3 min read

How will first home buyer cap affect you?

Laine Gordon

Head of Public Relations

Don't be wooed by home loan goodies

In this era of new austerity, home loan customers are sticking to the basics. While the housing market remains strong thanks to historically low interest rates and the First Home Buyers Grant, people are very cautious

Home Loans

23 Nov, 2009

3 min read