Help Guides

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    Guides for Refinancers, Home Buyers and Property Investors

    There’s a lot to know about home loans. So we’ve put together some handy guides and tips to help you understand more about home loans.

    Reduce Home Loans guides are free to view and download.

    Home Loan Refinance Guide

    • Why should you refinance?
    • What are the costs of refinancing?
    • How long is the refinance process?
    • Common traps to avoid
    • What documents you may need to refinance

    First Home Buyers Guide

    • First Home Buyer basics
    • Finding the right property
    • How to get approved for a home loan
    • How to win at the auction
    • Avoiding common first home buying mistakes

    Investors Guide

    • Benefits and risks of investing in property
    • Choosing the right property
    • What to look for in an investment loan
    • Should you aim to pay down your mortgage quickly
    • What is negative gearing

    Next Home Buyers Guide

    • How do you know it’s time to buy your next property?
    • Should you use bridging loans?
    • Benefits and costs of purchasing an additional property
    • Common traps to avoid
    • Should you sell your first property before buying your next?

    Read more on hot topics

    The world of Loan-to-Value Ratio and its importance

    If you are taking the plunge and purchasing your first property, understanding mortgage jargon and [...]

    How first home buyers can gain home loan approval

    For first home buyers, saving up a property deposit is arguably the most difficult process [...]

    How your LVR could nab you a better home loan

    If you’ve been paying off your mortgage for some time, you may not be aware [...]

    What happens if your mortgage pre-approval expires during lockdown?

    Lockdowns and restrictions across Australia have been challenging for everyone involved, but for would-be buyers [...]

    Create your dream home office in lockdown

    Lockdowns now feel like they’re extending into forever and the novelty of working from home [...]

    Signs it’s time for a sea or tree change

    Feeling the urge to escape from your current location and seek out a sea or [...]

    6 ways to increase your property’s value

    Whether you’re considering selling in the future or simply looking to maintain a level of [...]

    Can you save more by refinancing to an online lender?

    One of the top reasons to switch home loans or refinance is to reduce the [...]

    The good and bad of multiple home loan pre-approvals

    Is it necessary to have multiple home loan pre-approvals? Being pre-approved for a home loan [...]

    How to refinance your home loan in lockdown

    As COVID-related restrictions continue to shift across the country, many Aussies may find themselves thinking [...]

    DIY projects for your home while in lockdown

    With millions of Aussies now plunged into lockdown due to the latest COVID-19-led restrictions, many [...]

    How buyers can fast track home loan approval

     Walking through real estate listings and picturing yourself in a home is arguably the most [...]

    How your tax refund could save thousands off your mortgage

    Expecting a decent tax refund this new financial year? Hold off on cashing it in [...]

    Reduce Home Loans awarded Non-Bank Home Lender of the Year 2021

    Reduce Home Loans has been recognised as the Non-Bank Home Lender of the Year 2021 [...]

    Should I live in my property or consider ‘rentvesting’?

    If you’re a first time buyer intimidated by the current property market, you may be [...]

    What happens to my home loan if interest rates rise

        If you’re a homeowner paying off a mortgage, chances are you’ve been enjoying [...]

    The calculators first home buyers NEED to know about

    Times are challenging for first home buyers, particularly those in capital cities like Sydney or [...]

    How to get a low cost home loan (in a time of high property prices)

    In a time when property prices seem to be skyrocketing, Aussies may feel like the [...]

    Tips To Win At The Auction For First Home Buyers

    You’ve overcome two of the biggest hurdles of property purchasing: saving a deposit and getting [...]

    Why you should choose an online home loan lender

    Gone are the days where Australians were locked into the same bank they’d been with [...]

    The reasons you should renovate instead of buy in 2021

    As Australia continues to recover economically from COVID-19, property prices across the country have followed [...]

    Should I purchase property before or after selling my old home?

    If you’re considering purchasing property but already own an existing property, one of the most [...]

    5 things you need to know about mortgage pre-approval

    5 things you need to know about mortgage pre-approval When it comes to purchasing your [...]

    5 signs it’s time to refinance your mortgage

    There are significant benefits to refinancing a home loan, whether a borrower is looking to [...]

    Reduce Home Loans continues to roll out home loan value with more Canstar 5 Star Ratings!

    Yesterday Canstar awarded Reduce Home Loans a hot 5-Star Rating for Outstanding Value in home [...]

    Reduce Home Loans winner of 5 RateCity Gold Awards

    Leading low-rate lender, Reduce Home Loans, has been awarded five awards for various home loans [...]

    Tips to save for your first home in 2021

    Despite a year filled with challenges and uncertainty, the Great Australian Dream of owning a [...]

    The 2020 Housing Market Snapshot with Reduce Home Loans

    As we prepare to enter 2021, Reduce Home Loans looks back at the last 12 [...]

    Should I buy a property with a 5% deposit?

    Saving for a home deposit is never easy, especially if you’re a first home buyer [...]

    Is now the right time to fix my home loan?

    Right now in Australia, there are two things we are sure of: home loan interest [...]

    Tips and tricks for building your dream home

    Everyone knows the Great Australian Dream is to buy a property of your own, but [...]

    7 questions to ask when choosing a home loan

    Whether you’re a first home buyer, long-term property investor or just looking to refinance, there’s [...]

    8 Common mistakes of first-time property buyers

    You’ve scrimped and saved up a healthy deposit for a home and you’re ready to [...]

    Should you split your home loan rate?

    When you begin your home loan journey, you’ll eventually find yourself at a crossroads: should [...]

    How to pay off your mortgage faster

    Your mortgage is arguably the biggest debt and ongoing bill you will have in your [...]

    How to be your own mortgage broker

    It’s never been easier for everyday Aussies to take control of their finances and cut [...]

    Features that will unlock your home loan’s potential

     Whether you’re a first home buyer or a refinancer, choosing a mortgage with features can [...]

    3 Property Investment Trends in 2020

    Looking to buy an investment property, or expand your current portfolio? Understandably, the market has [...]

    This is how to secure the lowest home loan rate in Australia

    Spring has sprung in Australia, and it’s not just the weather that’s warming up. The [...]

    Is now the right time to invest in property?

    Australia is currently facing its first recession in decades off the back of the Coronavirus [...]

    Why now is the right time to refinance

    With Australia facing so much uncertainty at the moment, you may be considering refinancing your [...]

    What First Home Buyers need to know about buying during COVID-19

    For first home buyers looking to get a foot on the property ladder, it’s no [...]

    Australian housing market defies expectations during COVID-19

    As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the nation, the Australian property market has stayed [...]

    What is LMI and does it apply to me?

    Lender’s Mortgage Insurance If you are looking to purchase a home and have a deposit [...]

    What is a loan split
    What is a Loan Split?

    Lenders can offer many features to go with home loans. We often hear of the [...]

    Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2020
    8 more reasons to make the switch: Mozo Expert’s Choice Awards 2020

    Today Reduce Home Loans has taken out 8 Mozo Expert’s Choice awards across 13 total [...]

    Reduce Home Loans follows RBA’s 4th Cash Rate cut in 9 months

    Reduce Home Loans drops rates to historic lows following the RBA rate cut announcement  Australia’s [...]

    Loyalty doesn't pay
    Bank loyalty doesn’t pay; refinance and save

    With home loan rates the lowest they’ve ever been, most Aussies could spare a few [...]

    Equity in property
    How Does Equity Work in Property?

    If you own a property, the difference in the amount you own on that property [...]

    Dwelling Prices Rising in 2020
    House prices on the rise in 2020

    House prices across the country are showing a rising trend, with the national dwelling value [...]

    Got any questions?

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    Or check out our FAQ page for more commonly asked questions.

    WHO IS REDUCE HOME LOANS?

    Multi-award winning non-bank lender. Operating online, Australia-wide.

    Want to know more? Read more about us.

    Find the Cheapest Home Loan that’s perfect for you

    No matter what stage of the home loan journey you’re at, we’re here to help you find a great rate across variable, fixed or a mix of both.

    Our home loan range also offer great features and flexibility, so you can apply with confidence.

    First home buyer - Reduce Home Loans

    First Home Buyer
    Your Next Home - Reduce Home Loans

    Your Next Home
    Investment loan - Reduce Home Loans

    Investment Loans
    Refinance home and debt - Reduce Home Loans

    Refinance & Consolidate
    Construction loans - Reduce Home Loans

    Construction Loans
    SMSF loans - Reduce Home Loans

    SMSF

    Why choose Reduce?

    Loan calculators and finance calculators

    Crunch the Numbers

    We’ve got a number of home loan and finance calculators available for you to easily crunch those hefty numbers. Give it a try!

    Calculators

    Compare our Different Loan Products

    Not sure which loan product is right for you? Simply compare each of our home loan rates and features side-by-side easily.

    Compare Fixed and Variable Owner Occupied and Investment loans

    Go and compare