Home Loans

The latest monthly CPI indicator released today is further evidence the RBA will keep the cash rate on hold at 4.35 per cent, but borrowers are encouraged to break the holding pattern themselves.

Eden Radford -

28 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Home Loans

For anyone looking to secure a home loan, the stage 3 tax cuts - and the subsequent increase to your take home pay - could mean your borrowing capacity, gets a bump too.

Eden Radford -

22 Apr, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Loans

While interest rates are important, Australia’s borrowers, first home buyers, investors and refinancers may also want to compare more than just rates when looking at home loans. When comparing home loan features and benefits, it’s important to consider which of these extras may offer you the most value in your financial situation, and help you to achieve your personal goals.

Mark Bristow -

10 Apr, 2024 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

Australians are reportedly moving away from personal loans, in a partial reversal of an earlier uptick in lending activity earlier in the year. While new data shows a decline in personal lending overall, there are still competitive personal loans available for borrowers who know where to look.

Mark Bristow -

09 Apr, 2024 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

Data shows Australians are increasingly looking to personal loans to secure finance. However, before committing to a personal loan, it’s important to compare the available options and consider your needs to make sure you’re selecting a loan that offers the most value for your needs.

Mark Bristow -

13 Mar, 2024 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s the time of year when a lot of money gets spent on everything from grand romantic gestures to elaborate weddings. While a personal loan could offer the financial support you need to splurge on your loved ones when the cost of living is high, it’s important to consider your budget and your credit score, and to carefully compare personal loan options before you apply.

Mark Bristow -

08 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Credit Score

Having bad credit may make applying for loans and credit cards feel impossible. But it is possible to recover from a bad credit score, though the length of time it will take may vary. Checking your credit report is often a good start, as is demonstrating your financial responsibility.

Mark Bristow -

28 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Car Loans

Australians bought record numbers of new vehicles in January 2024, with most being SUVs and Light Commercial vehicles. However, with new emissions standards potentially on the cards, how could this affect your choice of vehicle, and in turn your choice of car loan?

Mark Bristow -

07 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Savings Accounts

At its June 2023 meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board pushed the national cash rate up to 4.10%; the highest it’s been since April 2012. While these hikes are putting borrowers under increased pressure as their borrowing power shrinks, some savers may be able to benefit from rising savings rates that could make it easier to increase their wealth.

Mark Bristow -

13 Jun, 2023 -

4 min read

Home Loans

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.

Mark Bristow -

18 Mar, 2024 -

6 min read

Home Loans

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?

Alex Ritchie -

05 Mar, 2024 -

6 min read

Home Loans

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.

Mark Bristow -

29 Feb, 2024 -

11 min read

Credit Score

Shoppers find the buy now, pay later services quite attractive but before you jump in, you should know how these services work and if they impact your credit score.

Vidhu Bajaj -

15 Mar, 2024 -

5 min read

Credit Score

Is there such a thing as 'good debt' and what could it mean for your financial future?

Mark Bristow -

16 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Credit Score

Australian credit reporting bureau Equifax has credit score system that could mean your credit behaviours are better reflected.

Eden Radford -

28 Jan, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Insurance

Many apartments are already covered by strata insurance, so you may not need to apply for a traditional home insurance policy to cover damage to the property. However, strata insurance may not always offer the cover you need. If you’re one of the 10% of Australians who live in apartments, it could be worth comparing contents insurance policies and other options.

Mark Bristow -

26 Apr, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Insurance

While home insurance isn’t compulsory in Australia, many mortgage lenders require borrowers to have a home insurance policy in place over a property before they’ll approve a home loan application.

Mark Bristow -

21 Aug, 2023 -

4 min read

Personal Loans

Many banks won’t allow borrowers to use a personal loan to pay tax debts. However, it may be possible to get a loan to help cover your other expenses while you concentrate on repaying what you owe to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Mark Bristow -

21 Dec, 2023 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

The simple fact is that no, in Australia you generally cannot apply for a personal loan on behalf of someone else. However, there are alternative options you could consider. 

Alex Ritchie -

14 Sep, 2023 -

4 min read

Personal Loans

Self-employed Aussies can find it harder to apply for personal loans without a regular income. Self-employed personal loans are low-doc options for contractors, freelancers, tradies and small business owners. Compare interest rates, fees and features of personal loans for self-employed at RateCity

Alex Ritchie -

19 Jun, 2018 -

6 min read

Home Loans

Professional package home loans were introduced by lenders to reward low-risk borrowers like doctors, lawyers and accountants. Find out if you qualify.

Jodie Humphries -

06 Nov, 2020 -

9 min read