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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

Personal Finance Editor

How to get started in property investing

Owning an investment property could potentially offer a path to building wealth and ensuring a more comfortable retirement. However, not all borrowers will successfully invest in property, with many selling within the first five years and giving up on their property dreams.

Home Loans

21 Dec, 2023

5 min read

How to get started in property investing

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Can foreigners buy property in Australia? Everything you need to know

Yes, foreign residents can buy property in Australia. However, there are generally more hoops to jump through than if you were a citizen or permanent resident looking to buy.

Home Loans

19 Dec, 2023

5 min read

Can foreigners buy property in Australia? Everything you need to know

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Can you change your home loan to an investment loan?

Mortgage lenders offer different types of home loans to owner occupiers and to property investors. Buying a home to live in is different from buying an investment property, and comes with a different type of risk for the lender.

Home Loans

15 Dec, 2023

4 min read

Can you change your home loan to an investment loan?

Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

Should you get home loan pre-approval before looking for a property?

Plan wisely and learn the benefits of getting a home loan pre-approval before searching for a property.

Home Loans

04 Dec, 2023

5 min read

Should you get home loan pre-approval before looking for a property?

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

A short guide on different types of home loans in the market

Different types of home loans are better suited to borrowers with different conditions or requirements. For instance, if you’re building your home from scratch, a construction loan might prove more useful than a regular home loan. By understanding the various home loan options in the market, you can choose the mortgage that’s best suited to your needs.

Home Loans

21 Nov, 2023

6 min read

A short guide on different types of home loans in the market

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 is it the best option for you when it comes to wealth creation? There is no one-size-fits-all approach that is right for everybody.

Home Loans

21 Nov, 2023

6 min read

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

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

Interest rates on the rise: how to afford your higher mortgage repayments

The Reserve Bank of Australia has hiked the cash rate again, so what can homeowners do right now to help give their budget some breathing room and better afford higher mortgage repayments?

Home Loans

09 Nov, 2023

4 min read

Interest rates on the rise: how to afford your higher mortgage repayments

Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

Easy ways to make your home energy efficient

By making your home more energy efficient, save on energy bills while also doing your part to protect the environment.

Home Loans

07 Nov, 2023

5 min read

Easy ways to make your home energy efficient

Alex Ritchie

Personal Finance Editor

How to prepare for an interest rate rise

As the interest rate is arguably the biggest ongoing cost that can influence a home loan, preparing your budget for a rate rise may be useful in reducing potential financial stress.

Home Loans

07 Nov, 2023

5 min read

How to prepare for an interest rate rise

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

How much does a house depreciate in value?

You may not think of houses as depreciating in value – after all, don’t house prices keep going up and up? But property investors know that houses and apartments also experience wear and tear over time, which requires upkeep and maintenance. While this depreciation can eat into the rental yield from an investment property, the costs can often be claimed as an expense on your taxes.

Home Loans

07 Nov, 2023

3 min read

How much does a house depreciate in value?

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Everything home buyers need to know about stamp duty

There are many costs associated with buying a home, and stamp duty is one of the biggest. Stamp duty is a tax charged by states and territories on property purchases. This not only includes real estate, but business assets, vehicles, and some gifts and insurance policies.

Home Loans

07 Nov, 2023

11 min read

Everything home buyers need to know about stamp duty

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

Can you use rental income to qualify for a mortgage?

If you own an investment property and are thinking of buying another one, you may want to use the rental income you receive from your tenants to help pay for your next mortgage. However, not all mortgage lenders will take all of your rental income into account when assessing your mortgage application.

Home Loans

02 Nov, 2023

3 min read