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Home Loans Articles

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

The pros and cons of paying off your mortgage early vs buying an investment property

Paying off your mortgage early lets you own your home sooner and save money on interest charges. But could investing in a rental property be a better choice when it comes to wealth creation?

Home Loans

10 Sep, 2024

6 min read

The pros and cons of paying off your mortgage early vs buying an investment property
Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

What do house valuers look for?

A professional valuation can be a little different to a real estate appraisal or online report. Understanding some of the differences could help to make sure your valuation is accurate.

Home Loans

10 Sep, 2024

4 min read

What do house valuers look for?
Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

What is a good rental yield?

Learn what is considered a good rental yield, how to calculate rental yield, and best places for rental yield in Australia.

Home Loans

29 Aug, 2024

7 min read

What is a good rental yield?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

How does a guarantor mortgage work?

A guarantor home loan allows family members to use their home equity as security for your loan. If you cannot repay the loan, your guarantor then becomes responsible for making the monthly payments. 

Home Loans

29 Aug, 2024

5 min read

How does a guarantor mortgage work?
Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

What is a property development loan?

Learn what a property development loan is, how it works, the differences between residential and commercial loans, and how much you can borrow for your project.

Home Loans

28 Aug, 2024

6 min read

What is a property development loan?
Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

Average mortgage age in Australia

If the average Australian first home buyer’s age is between 25 and 36 years old, this would make the average age to pay off a mortgage in Australia between 50 and 66 years.

Home Loans

28 Aug, 2024

4 min read

Average mortgage age in Australia
Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

What are the pros and cons of bridging loans?

Learn the pros and cons of bridging loans, a short-term solution to finance a new property while waiting to sell your current home, with flexible options and risks.

Home Loans

27 Aug, 2024

8 min read

What are the pros and cons of bridging loans?
Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

What happens when you pay off your mortgage

After years of discipline, your home loan is fully paid. What next? Let’s take a look at what to do after paying off the mortgage.

Home Loans

23 Aug, 2024

9 min read

What happens when you pay off your mortgage
Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

Can you sell a house before paying off the mortgage?

Understand what is mortgage discharge and loan portability if you're planning to sell the house before the mortgage is paid.

Home Loans

22 Aug, 2024

5 min read

Can you sell a house before paying off the mortgage?
Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

How do mortgage brokers get paid?

How mortgage brokers get paid? Can this affect which home loans the broker recommends? Let’s explore how mortgage brokers operate and receive commissions.

Home Loans

22 Aug, 2024

5 min read

How do mortgage brokers get paid?
Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

Own your house outright and want another loan?

If you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria and have sufficient usable equity, you could use your current home’s value to help finance the purchase of a second property,

Home Loans

20 Aug, 2024

7 min read

Own your house outright and want another loan?
Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

What is cash-out refinancing, and how does it help you?

Whether you want to renovate a home, pay for a wedding or make some new investments, if you need some extra cash, you could consider leveraging the equity in your home. This is also known as cash-out refinancing, and it’s a competitive option for some homeowners to consider.

Home Loans

15 Aug, 2024

7 min read

What is cash-out refinancing, and how does it help you?