Home loan guides, in plain English

Straight answers on borrowing power, DTI limits, refinancing and lender types, reviewed by a practising mortgage broker and backed by real numbers from our lender runs.

All guidesInvestorsRefinancingFirst home buyersLoan features
Loan features
Big four vs tier 2 vs non-bank lenders: what's the difference?
Banks, customer-owned banks, online banks and non-banks compared, with real sample rates.
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Investors
How much more can I borrow as a property investor?
Equity versus serviceability: the two limits on your next purchase and how to lift both.
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Investors
DTI over 6: can you still get a home loan in 2026?
APRA's 2026 DTI cap explained, and what to do if your debt is over six times your income.
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Loan features
Fixed, variable or split?
How to choose based on your cash flow, not the headlines.
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Investors
Structuring for your second, third and fourth property
Why the setup of loan one decides whether loan four happens.
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First home buyers
What is LMI and when is it worth paying?
Lenders Mortgage Insurance explained in plain English.
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Loan features
Offset vs redraw: what is the difference?
Both reduce interest. Only one keeps your money truly yours.
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Refinancing
Is your rate still competitive? A two minute test
Lenders reward new customers. Here is how to tell if you are paying a loyalty tax.
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First home buyers
The NSW first home buyer playbook
Grants, guarantees, duty relief and the order to tackle them in.
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The Rate Engine offer

$1,000 cashback on loans of $1M or more

Refinance or take out a new loan of $1 million or more with us and we'll pay you an extra $1,000, on top of any lender cashback. We compare 30+ lenders and it costs you nothing.

$500

when your loan settles

$500

on your loan's 12-month anniversary

Book a call

Offer applies to new loans and refinances of $1,000,000 or more, arranged through Rate Engine and settled from [start date]. $500 is paid within [X] days of settlement and $500 within [X] days of the loan's 12-month anniversary, provided the loan is still active and has not been refinanced or repaid. One payment per loan. Subject to lender approval.

Frequently asked questions

Who writes these guides?

The Rate Engine team writes them from real client questions and lender policy, and each one is reviewed by a practising mortgage broker before it is published.

Are the rates in the guides current?

Each guide shows the date it was last updated, and rate examples show the date of the run they came from. Rates change often, so book a call for rates on your situation.

Is this financial advice?

No. The guides are general information only and do not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Can you run the numbers for me?

Yes. Book a call and we will compare 30+ lenders for your scenario at no cost to you.

Book a call