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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
What is Lender's Mortgage Insurance?
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is an insurance policy that protects your lender if you default on your mortgage. The cost of LMI can be significant, and may affect your home loan budget when buying a property or refinancing a mortgage.
Home Loans
18 Mar, 2024
4 min read
![What is Lender's Mortgage Insurance?](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20210526/how-do-you-avoid-lenders-mortgage-insurance-0waXJYYf4.jpg)
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
How do you avoid Lender's Mortgage Insurance?
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) can make a big impact on your mortgage budget if you plan to borrow with a low deposit. Whilethere are several options available to avoid LMI, some may better suit some borrowers more than others.
Home Loans
18 Mar, 2024
6 min read
![How do you avoid Lender's Mortgage Insurance?](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20210526/how-do-you-avoid-lenders-mortgage-insurance-0waXJYYf4.jpg)
![Alex Ritchie](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-alex-512-7pFMYD0mE.jpeg)
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
Big banks vs small banks for mortgages
Choosing your mortgage provider can sometimes involve as much research as locating your ideal property. After all, you wouldn’t purchase the first property you saw without looking inside, so why would you treat your mortgage this way?
Home Loans
05 Mar, 2024
6 min read
![Big banks vs small banks for mortgages](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20210223/how-can-i-secure-a-home-loan-with-bad-credit-pTMkxLoI4.jpg)
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
How to get a home loan: a step-by-step guide to applying for a home loan
Getting your first home loan doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it sounds. With just a little preparation, you can confidently calculate how much you can afford to borrow, what support you may be able to get, and how to make an application that’s more likely to be approved by the bank.
Home Loans
29 Feb, 2024
11 min read
![How to get a home loan: a step-by-step guide to applying for a home loan](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220121/how-to-apply-for-a-home-loan-FBKZw78B0.jpg)
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
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](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20230906/how-to-get-started-in-property-investing-FmHrYEVjv.jpg)
![Alex Ritchie](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-alex-512-7pFMYD0mE.jpeg)
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](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20231213/too-hot-to-handle-one-in-five-property-investors-to-sell-in-2024-QKIrc9-n3.jpg)
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
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?](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20210601/can-you-change-your-home-loan-to-an-investment-loan-YakI1loZb.jpg)
![Vidhu Bajaj](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220721/vidhu-av-GVZVe0oct.jpg)
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?](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20231204/should-you-get-home-loan-pre-approval-before-looking-for-property-WrCcAquIP.jpg)
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
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](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20200520/aussie-houses-terrace-j3hocyjXd.jpg)
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
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](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220201/the-pros-and-cons-of-paying-off-your-mortgage-early-vs-buying-an-investment-property-00UhV4Wh9.jpg)
![Alex Ritchie](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-alex-512-7pFMYD0mE.jpeg)
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](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220330/i-stock-1319766088-FnKej3jdg.jpeg)
![Vidhu Bajaj](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20220721/vidhu-av-GVZVe0oct.jpg)
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](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20231107/easy-ways-to-make-home-energy-efficient-EiC_ypN3U.jpg)
Trending articles
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
18 Mar, 2024
What is Lender's Mortgage Insurance?
![Mark Bristow](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-mark-512-zioiNTrC5.jpg)
Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
18 Mar, 2024
How do you avoid Lender's Mortgage Insurance?
![Alex Ritchie](https://images.ratecity.com.au/large/20190930/author-alex-512-7pFMYD0mE.jpeg)
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Editor
05 Mar, 2024
Big banks vs small banks for mortgages
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