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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](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
Heritage home renovations explained
Buying and renovating an older property can be an affordable and satisfying way to improve your quality of life at home, or to add more value to an investment. However, renovating a home old enough to qualify for heritage listing can bring with it a whole set of new complications. Be prepared for extra work and hassle, but also extra satisfaction!
Home Loans
17 Oct, 2023
4 min read
![Heritage home renovations explained](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20231017/heritage-home-renovations-explained-Nati5e8Af.jpg)
![Vidhu Bajaj](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220721/vidhu-av-GVZVe0oct.jpg)
Vidhu Bajaj
Personal Finance Writer
Are holiday homes a good investment?
Planning to invest in a holiday home? Consider its purpose, pros and cons, and how you can protect your holiday home against damage.
Home Loans
16 Oct, 2023
7 min read
![Are holiday homes a good investment?](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20231016/are-holiday-homes-a-good-investment-E8-mQsGOd.jpg)
![Vidhu Bajaj](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220721/vidhu-av-GVZVe0oct.jpg)
Vidhu Bajaj
Personal Finance Writer
What is rentvesting?
In this article we break down what rentvesting is all about, including what it means, how it works, and its pros and cons.
Home Loans
05 Oct, 2023
9 min read
![What is rentvesting?](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20231005/what-is-rentvesting-CvSwiinkc.jpg)
![Alex Ritchie](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-alex-512-7pFMYD0mE.jpeg)
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
Which type of home loan is best?
There is no one-size-fits-all best home loan type. In fact, there are several home loan types available to suit a range of homeowners in Australia.
Home Loans
26 Sep, 2023
5 min read
![Which type of home loan is best?](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20230920/what-is-a-mortgage-registration-fee-S37qlE36I.jpg)
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
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?](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20230922/is-negative-gearing-to-blame-for-house-unaffordability--gud4Kk0L.jpg)
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
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](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20210222/understanding-non-resident-home-loans-KgWC4nnI5.jpg)
![Alex Ritchie](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-alex-512-7pFMYD0mE.jpeg)
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?](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20191129/i-stock-503544712-kWNdYAOt_.jpg)
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
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
![What is a mortgage registration fee?](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20230920/what-is-a-mortgage-registration-fee-S37qlE36I.jpg)
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
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
![How to make an offer on a house](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20230920/how-to-make-an-offer-on-a-house-wPyTbWO7z.jpg)
![Alex Ritchie](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-alex-512-7pFMYD0mE.jpeg)
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
![The benefits of refinancing a home loan](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20230516/some-of-the-best-home-loans-for-investors-and-refinancers-in-may-2023-j7oE19C7a.jpg)
![Alex Ritchie](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-alex-512-7pFMYD0mE.jpeg)
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?](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20191129/i-stock-503544712-kWNdYAOt_.jpg)
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
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](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20210125/checklist-of-documents-needed-for-a-home-loan-application-1V1t58sxC.jpg)
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![Alex Ritchie](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-alex-512-7pFMYD0mE.jpeg)
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
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![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
Mark Bristow
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Can you make an offer without pre-approval?
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
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