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First Home Buyers

First home buyers: what do you need to know?Buying a property can be time-consuming, expensive and baffling, but this idiot-proof guide will teach you everything you need to know about finding your dream home.

Are you ready for rate hikes?The Reserve Bank of Australia will raise interest rates in November and follow that with two rate hikes in December and February, according to a leading economist. Are you ready?

House sit your way to a new homeWith the first home owners grant nearing expiration, the attraction of building up a deposit as quickly as possible makes house sitting even more appealing.

Where it's cheaper to buy than rentBuying property is becoming cheaper than renting in many suburbs across Australia, research has found. Here we show you which suburbs are cheaper with our Price Mapping Tool.

Buying your second home, firstIf you can't afford to buy a house or apartment in a suburb you want to live in, why not keep renting in the city, and buy a holiday home instead?

Getting what you want at auctionThe basic ingredients of a property auction are pretty straightforward: there is an auctioneer, but as a potential buyer, what are you mean't to do on the day?

What to do if your mortgage is deniedA growing number of people are having their mortgage applications denied thanks to a sudden tightening of banks' lending criteria. What should you do if your loan is rejected?

Big, budget ideas for small spacesWhen it comes to buying your first home, having too much space is not often on the list of potential decorating problems. Here we bring you some great budget tips for decorating small spaces.

Mates rates: is buying with friends a good idea?For those seeking to get on the property ladder but can't do it alone, buying with friends is a hot new trend. But is buying with friends in the best interest of your investment — or friendship?

Sites to inspireBefore you tear out the sinks or buy that new couch in your new home, take some time to do some research and get motivated.Here we bring you our favourite websites to inspire you in your new place.

8 lies real estate agents tellAre you just putty in the real estate agent's hands? Here are 8 common fibs real estate agents tell, and how you can unravel them to negotiate for a better buy.

People like me: Alex and NataliaVideo: Buying a home is an important decision and purchasing your first home even more so. Alex and Natalia talk about their experiences buying their first home.

Should I buy off the plan?If you do your homework and everything goes to plan then buying your first home off the plan may be a good proposition.

Ten costly mistakes first home buyers makeBuying a home is an important decision and purchasing your first home even more so. Here are the 10 steps to avoid when it comes to purchasing your first property.

Understanding real estate jargonHave you just started looking for a home to buy and getting bamboozled by all the property jargon? Get in-the-know with our jargon-buster glossary.

Apartment living: buying into a strata planMany people love the ease that apartment living provides but it's important you know what you're investing in when it comes to strata plans.

The first home buyer's checklistSo you've been saving hard for a few years and you finally feel ready to start seriously looking to buy your first home. But where do you start?

Extravagant celebrity properties

source: Rosalind Scutt

Many celebrities invest in property, but a few take their investment to the extreme: petting zoos, golf courses, and even plane runways make appearances in some celebrity homes. Here are our favourite extravagant celebrity properties – find out who they belong to, and what they're really worth.

Making good on a bad investment

source: Barbara Messer

Investment strategies can, and do, go wrong – even for the most experienced investor. It’s possible to be duped into buying properties that are tainted by toxic waste, traffic noise, unsightly power lines or unruly neighbours. Here’s how to cope when you’ve made a bad investment.

Rate Your Place Competition: Info and Terms and Conditions

source:

Your say: what is Australia's best suburb?

source: Megan Tidd

Now’s your chance to vote on Australia’s best suburb, on Rate Your Place. A community tool where everyone can rate, review, and discuss suburbs, Rate Your Place aims to find the best suburb in Australia, as ranked by the people who live there. Where is Australia’s best place to live? Have your say.

Following rate rise, home owners urged to refinance

source: Megan Tidd

Following last Tuesdays rate hike of 25 basis points, many home experts are urging homeowners to investigate their refinancing options.

Rate Your Place: Help Page

source: Megan Tidd

Welcome to Rate Your Place: Rate Your Place is a hub where you can explore, discuss and rate suburbs in your area. It's a place for having your say, discovering new towns, and finding the best place in Australia to live.

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Aussie house price mapping tool

Find out where the good places are to buy, sell, rent and invest.