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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 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
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
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
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
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
How much does it cost to break a fixed mortgage?
Choosing to refinance or repay a home loan during its fixed rate period often means the lender will charge you a break fee. The cost of this fee will vary based on how long is left on your fixed rate term and how much interest rates have changed since you applied for the loan. With break costs reaching tens of thousands of dollars in some cases, they may affect the overall value of your refinance.
Home Loans
05 Sep, 2023
6 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
Can I add someone to my home loan?
A joint application is one of the simplest and most common methods for two people to end up with their names on a mortgage. But adding a second person to a mortgage that’s already in place can be more complex, and will likely require refinancing.
Home Loans
01 Sep, 2023
6 min read
Peter Terlato
Personal Finance Editor
What is a cashback mortgage broker?
Cashback mortgage brokers generally credit all ongoing lender commissions, in cash, to the borrower. These funds are usually paid by the lender on a monthly or annual basis for the life of the loan.
Home Loans
29 Aug, 2023
6 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
Checklist of documents needed for a home loan application
Once you’ve decided to apply for a home loan, the first step is to start gathering the necessary documents for the application process. While the exact disclosures required can differ from lender to lender, there are specific documents that are usually mandatory to supply while applying for a mortgage. Even if your lender requires additional documents, preparing the basics beforehand could save you considerable time.
Home Loans
25 Aug, 2023
3 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
Is it worth refinancing my mortgage for one percent?
While some people say that it’s worth refinancing for a rate cut of one percent, a reduction of even half a percentage point could help your household gain some breathing room in your budget.
Home Loans
24 Aug, 2023
4 min read
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
Is there a cost to refinance your home loan (and how much could you save)?
Refinancing a home loan typically costs some money in fees and charges from your old and new mortgage lenders. However, there may be ways to reduce or offset these costs, and the potential savings from switching could see you break even sooner than you expect.
Home Loans
24 Aug, 2023
5 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
Is there any danger in taking out a variable rate loan?
You may have heard friends or family mention the “dangers” of taking out a variable rate home loan. Let's explore the risks and the benefits of a variable rate home loan.
Home Loans
24 Aug, 2023
5 min read
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
How long does it take to get approved for a home loan?
How fast you can get approved for a home loan depends almost entirely on the lender. You should ensure you have the necessary information before applying.
Home Loans
22 Aug, 2023
5 min read
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Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
18 Sep, 2024
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Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
10 Sep, 2024
The pros and cons of paying off your mortgage early vs buying an investment property
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
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