INTEREST RATES

Interest rates to stay low through to 2015

David Potts Sharemarkets have much to look forward to if central banks have anything to do with it - which, almost entirely, they do.

LOW-DEPOSIT LOANS

Seeking to get a foot in the door

Christine Long For first home buyers battling to get into Australia's competitive property markets, 95 per cent home loans can offer a doorway in. But borrowers should do their homework first.

PROPERTY

Head over heart the best tip

Melissa Browne Buy a new place, and rent out the old one? Make sure it is a financially sound move.

INSIGHT

House prices rise in step with incomes

Gareth Hutchens Are houses becoming less affordable? Well, it depends.

THE 'HONEST' BROKER

You'll never beat the banks by fixing your rate

Marcus Padley Basically, fixed rates are designed for chickens and the over-geared. If you're fixing because you're over-geared, it's simple: you are borrowing too much.

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CREDIT SCORES

Good records lead to better loans

JOHN COLLETT Solid credit scores could help you get a cheaper mortgage if Australia follows the US.

CREDIT CARDS

Dumb debt can rack up interest costs

David Potts It's more about when, rather than where, the credit's due that should worry you.

CAR TONES

Any colour you like as long as it's white

Nina Hendy Over-the-top colour choices are out and conservative hues are in as car buyers seek to maximise resale value.

HOME LOANS

Ten more mortgage myths to bust

Mark Bouris Informed borrowers make better choices, so here are another 10 mortgage myths we can bust:

CREDIT CARDS

Pay off full balance on time to avoid backdated interest

JOHN COLLETT It's all there in the small print - but customers who pay off most of their debt face getting hit with all of the interest payment.

Busting finance's tall tales

Mark Bouris I've noticed a number of myths and misconceptions that keep coming up about mortgages, so I thought I would address the 10 most common.

PROPERTY

Putting a Dent in our economy's future

David Potts US economist Harry Dent is on a mission, frightening the bejesus out of anyone who owns property.

BUBBLE TO POP?

Nightmare vision of impending property crash

JOHN COLLETT We should brace ourselves for a spectacular collapse in home prices, an American economist claims.

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BALANCE TRANSFERS

Forget loyalty - card switching can help you get on top of debt

Christine Long Need some breathing space from heavy interest charges on your credit card debts? A balance transfer deal could be the answer.

REPORTING

Providers to be able to share your credit history

Penny Pryor Skip a payment, repent at leisure - from next month your past will become more public.

INSIGHT

Time to shop around for cut-price credit

CLANCY YEATES Banks are competing fiercely to sign up more customers in anticipation of stronger credit growth. This means many are offering cut-price home loans

RATES

Do the sums on mortgage options

Mark Bouris With low interest rates forcing competition among lenders, price is not the only factor.

PROPERTY

It pays to keep a cool head

Melissa Browne Let me share my tips for safely navigating the treacherous waters of the property market.

SUIT YOURSELF

Does red zone thrill, or are you still a bit green?

Emily Chantiri It is never too early to start investing, but one strategy does not suit all.