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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.

Jodie Humphries

Personal Finance Editor

What credit score do I need to buy a home?

When you are starting the home loan application process, you could have some anxious moments about how lenders will view your application. Typically, lenders look at factors such as age, occupation, and income. In addition to those, your credit score plays an important role in evaluating your application.

Home Loans

02 Oct, 2020

5 min read

Minimum Credit Score for Home Loan Australia | RateCity

Mark Bristow

Home & Personal Finances Editor

Can you include renovation costs in a mortgage?

Traditional real estate advice says to buy the worst house in the best street – you can pay less today and renovate tomorrow. But renovating still costs money, so you may want to look into the options for using your home loan to help take care of your budget.

Home Loans

11 Sep, 2020

5 min read

Can you Include Renovation Costs in a Mortgage? | RateCity

Mark Bristow

Home & Personal Finances Editor

What is a reverse mortgage, and what are the risks?

A reverse mortgage is a financial product that allows retirees to unlock the value of their family home. Sometimes called an equity release loan, a reverse mortgage lets you access a lump sum, line of credit or income stream to support your lifestyle in retirement. But just like any other financial product, there are risks involved with reverse mortgages, which you should be aware of before you apply.

Home Loans

07 Sep, 2020

5 min read

What is a reverse mortgage, and what are the risks?

RateCity

Top 5 refinancing home loan rates in July 2020

Is your home loan rate still competitive? If you’ve let it go for a while, chances are you’ll be paying more than you should.

Home Loans

30 Jun, 2020

1 min read

Top 5 refinancing home loan rates in July 2020

Mark Bristow

Home & Personal Finances Editor

How much is Lender's Mortgage Insurance?

Because Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI) can be a significant extra expense when purchasing a property, it’s important to include it in your budget when calculating whether you can afford a home loan, to avoid finding yourself in financial stress at the very start of a 30-year mortgage term.

Home Loans

21 Nov, 2017

3 min read

How much is Lender's Mortgage Insurance?

Mark Bristow

Home & Personal Finances Editor

What is LVR?

LVR stands for Loan to Value Ratio, and is a comparison of how much you’re borrowing with your mortgage (the Loan) to how much the property you’re purchasing is worth (the Value).

Home Loans

31 Oct, 2017

2 min read

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

The 5 mistakes people make with home loans

A home loan is arguably the most expensive purchase you will make, so you can’t afford to make mistakes. RateCity has compiled a list of the most common miscalculations you can make when choosing a home loan.

Home Loans

22 Jun, 2017

2 min read