Lenders may charge an application fee when you apply to refinance your home loan. This fee covers the administrative costs of processing your application. It’s important to inquire about the application fee amount before proceeding with the refinancing process.
When refinancing, there may be a settlement fee payable to cover the costs associated with the transfer of the mortgage from your current lender to the new lender. This fee covers administrative and legal expenses involved in the settlement process.
If you’re refinancing from one lender to another, your existing lender may charge a discharge fee. This fee covers the administrative costs of releasing the mortgage and closing your loan account with them.
It’s important to consider any ongoing fees associated with the new loan, such as annual fees or account management fees. These fees can vary between lenders, so it’s important to compare the ongoing costs when evaluating different loan options.
Your Madd Broker will consult with your new lender and review the loan documentation to understand the specific fees applicable to your refinancing. Additionally, they will consider the potential benefits of refinancing, such as securing a lower interest rate, accessing different loan features, or consolidating debt, to determine if the potential savings outweigh the associated fees.
When refinancing your home, there are several important factors to consider and be cautious about. Here are some things to look out for:
Interest Rates: Compare the interest rates offered by different lenders to ensure you are getting a better deal than your current loan. Keep in mind that interest rates can vary depending on factors such as loan term, loan-to-value ratio (LVR), and your creditworthiness. Look out for any promotional or introductory rates that may increase after a certain period.
Fees and Charges: Take note of the fees associated with refinancing, such as application fees, valuation fees, discharge fees, and legal fees. Ensure that the potential savings from refinancing outweigh the fees involved. It’s important to consider both upfront fees and any ongoing fees associated with the new loan.
Loan Features: Evaluate the features and flexibility offered by the new loan. Consider factors such as the ability to make additional repayments, redraw facilities, offset accounts, and the option to switch between variable and fixed interest rates. Assess whether these features align with your financial goals and requirements.
Loan Term: Determine if you want to change the loan term when refinancing. While extending the loan term can reduce monthly repayments, it may result in paying more interest over the life of the loan. On the other hand, shortening the loan term may increase monthly repayments but help you pay off the loan sooner.
Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR): Be aware of the LVR requirements of the new loan. If your property’s value has decreased or your equity has changed since you took out the original loan, it could affect your ability to refinance or result in additional costs such as lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) if the LVR is too high.
Prepayment Penalties or Break Costs: Check if there are any penalties or break costs associated with paying off your existing loan early. Some loans may have exit fees or break costs, particularly if you have a fixed-rate loan. Consider these costs in your refinancing calculations to ensure it’s financially beneficial to proceed.
Creditworthiness and Eligibility: Understand that refinancing requires a reassessment of your creditworthiness. Lenders will review your financial situation, income, expenses, credit history, and employment status. Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the new loan before proceeding with the application.
Consider Professional Advice: It can be beneficial to consult with mortgage brokers or financial advisors who can provide guidance specific to your situation. They can help you navigate the refinancing process, assess the potential benefits, and ensure you make an informed decision.
Carefully evaluating these factors and understanding the terms and conditions of the new loan will help you make an informed decision when refinancing your home. Take the time to compare offers, calculate the potential savings, and consider your long-term financial goals before proceeding.
While home loan refinance options might feel overwhelming at first, the reality is that ripping the Band Aid off has the potential to save you thousands.
As such, this is where home loan refinance options come in. A lot can change in a year, which is why conducting a home loan review is always a good idea to ensure that your mortgage is performing at its best. Depending on your individual set of circumstances, your mortgage broker may suggest swapping to a more favourable home loan product, which is otherwise known as refinancing – but what does the process involve?
Whether we like it or not, banks aren’t generally in the habit of checking in with their customers and offering a discounted interest rate, which is why consumers need to be proactive when the market conditions change. While the mortgage you originally signed up for may have been a great fit at the time, there’s a wide variety of circumstances to consider when evaluating if it’s still the best loan product for you or not.
Refinancing refers to the process of paying out your current home loan by taking out a new loan. While this can be with the same lender, it is also common to change to an entirely different lending provider for a better interest rate, lower fees or generally more favourable loan terms overall.
Those looking to refinance their existing mortgage are increasingly carrying out much of their research online by comparing home loans to review what the market has to offer, as the benefits of doing so can include –
However, before you make the swap, it’s important to remember that refinancing isn’t free. Depending on the value of your existing home loan, expect to be hit with extra charges linked to application fees, valuation fees, discharge fees and more. If your current mortgage is on a fixed interest rate, there are also additional exit fees to contend with, and can easily amount to a few thousand dollars.
Needless to say, there’s a wide variety of factors to consider before you dive into a new home loan. Your current credit score, property value, the outlook on interest rates and new loan terms all have a role to play when it comes to determining if refinancing will leave you in a better position or not, so it’s always worth speaking to the professionals before you make the commitment.
As the founder of Brisbane based Madd Loans, George Samios has seen his fair share of unfavourable home loans. Instead of jumping on a home loan refinance option that looks good on face value, he helps customers conduct and make informed financial decisions and see if their home loan product is still right for them.
“Competing on variable-rate mortgages generally makes sense for lending providers, as they can always increase their rates later on – something they cannot do for fixed-rate customers. A home loan review is important to ensure that borrowers minimise their exposure to rate hikes and potential risk, particularly given the current uncertainty surrounding the cash rate. If you have the right finance partner, a home loan health check should be a positive and empowering experience, and not something to shy away from.”
Although many homeowners put off refinancing out of concern that the process is time consuming or requires a lot of work, it’s not a hard process and the benefits could be substantial. In fact, it can be as simple as meeting with a reputable mortgage broker, providing some documentation and making a decision – but where do you find such a partner in finance?
Navigating the complex world of home loans has long been regarded as stressful, frustrating and time consuming – but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be.
Since their inception in 2012, the team at Madd Loans have worked tirelessly in providing over 3,000 Australians with finance options to help turn their dreams into reality. With the entire brand being built on referrals, owner George Samios takes great pride in making the loan process both fun, educational and stress free – and he has a swag of awards to prove it.
If thinking about your financial future strikes a chord with you, then it might be time to speak to a professional. Whether you’re chasing mortgage solutions or a financial fairy godmother, the team at Madd work together as a collective to turn your goals into reality.
Lower Interest Rate: One of the primary reasons to refinance is to secure a lower interest rate. If market conditions have changed since you obtained your original loan or if your credit score has improved, refinancing can help you take advantage of lower interest rates, potentially saving you money over the life of the loan.
Reduce Monthly Payments: Refinancing can also be a way to lower your monthly mortgage payments. By refinancing to a loan with a longer term or a lower interest rate, you can spread out your repayments over a longer period or reduce the interest portion of your monthly payment, thereby freeing up some cash flow.
Access Equity: If your home has appreciated in value or you have made significant repayments on your current loan, you may have built up equity. Refinancing allows you to access this equity by increasing your loan amount, which can be used for various purposes such as home improvements, investments, or debt consolidation.
Consolidate Debt: Refinancing provides an opportunity to consolidate high-interest debt, such as credit cards or personal loans, into your mortgage. By combining these debts, you can potentially benefit from a lower overall interest rate and a single monthly payment, simplifying your finances.
Change Loan Terms: Refinancing enables you to modify the terms of your loan. You can switch from a variable rate to a fixed rate or vice versa, depending on your preference and the current market conditions. Additionally, you can adjust the loan term, such as refinancing from a 30-year loan to a 15-year loan to pay off your mortgage sooner.
Change Lenders: If you are dissatisfied with your current lender’s customer service or want to explore better options, refinancing allows you to switch to a different lender. This can give you access to improved customer service, more competitive interest rates, or additional loan features that better suit your needs.
Renegotiate Loan Features: Refinancing provides an opportunity to renegotiate the features of your loan. You can add features like an offset account, redraw facility, or flexible repayment options that may not have been available with your original loan.
Life Changes: Refinancing may be prompted by major life events such as marriage, divorce, starting a family, or a career change. These events can impact your financial situation and goals, making it necessary to adjust your mortgage arrangements accordingly.
Before deciding to refinance, it’s important to carefully consider the associated costs, such as application fees, legal fees, and valuation fees, to ensure that the potential benefits outweigh the expenses. It’s also advisable to seek professional advice from mortgage brokers or financial advisors to assess the suitability of refinancing based on your individual circumstances and financial goals.
The home loan amount is the total sum of money borrowed from the lender. It is typically a percentage of the property’s purchase price, known as the loan-to-value ratio (LVR). The borrower is required to repay this amount, plus interest, over an agreed-upon period.
The interest rate is the cost charged by the lender for borrowing the money. It is usually expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR) and can be fixed (remains the same throughout the loan term) or variable (may fluctuate based on market conditions). The interest rate determines the amount of interest the borrower will pay over the life of the loan.
The loan term refers to the duration of the loan repayment period. It is typically 15, 20, or 30 years, although other terms may be available. The borrower makes regular repayments, usually monthly, to gradually pay off the loan over the agreed term.
Home loans have different repayment structures. The most common types are Principal and Interest (P&I) and Interest Only (IO). With P&I, borrowers make regular repayments that include both principal (the loan amount) and interest. With IO, borrowers only pay the interest portion for a specified period, usually between 1 to 10 years, and the principal is not reduced during this time.
The property being purchased serves as collateral for the home loan. If the borrower fails to repay the loan, the lender has the right to sell the property to recover their funds.
Home loans often involve various fees and charges, such as application fees, valuation fees, legal fees, and ongoing fees. These costs should be considered when evaluating different loan options.
Some home loans offer the flexibility to make additional repayments beyond the regular scheduled repayments, helping borrowers pay off the loan faster. Additionally, certain loans may allow borrowers to redraw any additional payments made, providing access to those funds if needed in the future.
Comparison rates are designed to help borrowers understand the true cost of a loan by taking into account both the interest rate and associated fees and charges. Here’s what you need to know about comparison rates:
Definition: A comparison rate is a single percentage figure that represents the overall cost of a loan, including both the interest rate and certain fees and charges associated with the loan. It provides a more accurate representation of the true cost of borrowing than the interest rate alone.
Calculation: The comparison rate is calculated based on a standardized formula set by regulatory authorities. It takes into account the loan amount, term, repayment frequency, interest rate, and certain upfront and ongoing fees. The formula ensures consistency across lenders and loan products, allowing borrowers to compare loans more easily.
Inclusion of Fees: Comparison rates include fees and charges that are known as “included” fees. These fees typically include application fees, valuation fees, and certain ongoing fees. The inclusion of these fees allows borrowers to compare the total cost of different loan options more accurately.
Exclusion of Fees: Not all fees are included in the comparison rate. Fees that are considered “excluded” fees, such as government charges, redraw fees, and fees associated with optional features, are not factored into the comparison rate. These fees can vary between lenders and loan products and should be considered separately.
Standardisation: The use of comparison rates is regulated to ensure consistency and transparency in the home loan market. Lenders are required to calculate and disclose comparison rates alongside their advertised interest rates to provide borrowers with a clearer understanding of the overall cost of the loan.
Comparison Shopping: Comparison rates enable borrowers to compare different home loan options more effectively. By considering both the interest rate and the included fees, borrowers can make more informed decisions about which loan offers better value for their needs.
It’s important to note that while comparison rates provide a useful tool for comparing loans, they may not capture every aspect of the loan’s features and costs. Individual circumstances and loan requirements may vary, so it’s advisable to thoroughly review the loan product’s terms and conditions, including any additional fees or features, before making a final decision. Additionally, seeking professional advice from mortgage brokers or financial advisors can help ensure you choose the most suitable home loan for your specific needs.
Introduced to the Australian market in 1965, Lenders Mortgage Insurance (or LMI) was essentially designed to allow more Australians to enter the housing market, while allowing the lender to protect themselves in the event that you defaulted on your loan.
Typically, LMI is compulsory if you don’t have a 20% deposit for your home loan. In 2020, the median house price for Brisbane suburbs ranges from $550, 000 to $900, 000. Without the option of Lender’s Mortgage Insurance, buyers would be expected to save a whopping $110, 000 at the very least to purchase a property. This figure is simply unobtainable for many, especially first homeowners looking to get their foot on the property ladder.
Lenders Mortgage Insurance Explained
Lenders mortgage insurance operates on a sliding scale and varies depending on how big (or how little) your deposit is. Let’s look at some comparisons.
Source: Genworth
While the thought of adding potentially thousands of dollars to your mortgage may seem daunting, Lenders Mortgage Insurance offers a glimmer of hope to those wanting to get into the property market faster – why pay rent, when you can pay off your own home? The amount of your LMI doesn’t need to be paid upfront, it can be capitalised into your loan, but be careful as the premium today may be $10,000, but over 30 years it will be significantly more with compounding interest.
There is a common misconception that LMI is designed to protect the buyer. However, it is in fact in place to protect the lender, in the event that the buyer was to default on their loan. Madd Loans owner George Samios helps buyers to navigate LMI on a daily basis and explains the logic behind it.
“What the banks usually want is for you to have a 20% deposit, or say a $100, 000 deposit for a $500, 000 loan. If you look at it on a scale, the bank has a certain amount of debt secured against your loan. If something were to happen to you or the repayments – and the bank did have to sell the property – even if they had to sell the property for $450, 000 at a loss, the loan amount is covered, and the bank isn’t losing any money on the debt.”
Although fixed interest rates are having their moment in the spotlight thanks to increasing variable rates, what are the pros and cons to consider?
For prospective home buyers and existing property owners alike, the timing and magnitude of any changes to interest rates is being closely watched. Even the smallest increase could mean hundreds of dollars more in mortgage repayments per month.
While it’s not uncommon for lenders to offer lower rates to entice new customers, they often fail to look after their existing customers with the same benefits. Banks don’t make a habit of checking in with their customers to let them know if they’re potentially missing out on a better deal, which is why fixing interest rates is currently a hot topic amongst Australians from all walks of life – but is this really the solution to curbing the rising cost of living?
Choosing a fixed or variable interest rate for your home loan often comes down to how familiar you are with the interest rate cycle, and what the market is up to. With the world feeling slightly more daunting than usual – particularly if it’s your first big foray into a large scale loan – you should be paying extra attention to your financial commitments, and how these changes could potentially impact you and your mortgage.
When compared to a variable interest rate, or one that fluctuates along with global economies, fixed term interest rates can provide stability, certainty and security. Although they traditionally sit slightly higher than variable options, fixed interest rates provide protection against fluctuating financial markets.
The primary benefit of a fixed rate home loan is that it gives consumers the certainty of knowing that their repayments won’t change over the fixed interest period, which is usually between one and five years. Should the interest rates rise, having a fixed rate loan means no increase in mortgage repayments until the fixed term expires.
Considering all of the potential benefits that fixed interest rates offer, what do you have to lose? Well, it’s important to note that loan products with fixed rates rarely feature some of the best benefits of a mortgage, such as access to an offset account or the ability to redraw, as well as limits on making extra repayments. In addition, there may also be hefty fees to consider if you break your fixed term agreement – even in the event that you actually sell the property that your mortgage is tied to.
The solution for homeowners looking for the best of both worlds are split loans. In simple terms, split loans are a home loan or mortgage product that is ‘split’ into multiple loans with different interest rates. One of the most common examples used in today’s market is a home loan that has a variable interest rate component, with the remaining amount linked to a fixed interest rate.
Although there are no limits on how much a client can allocate to each portion of the split loan – for example 60% fixed, 40% variable, etc – what you are essentially doing is distributing interest rate movements, as well as the relevant risks that may apply or be associated with each feature. While most lending providers offer borrowers the ability to split their loan, it’s not necessarily a valid option on all of their products. As such, it’s always worth checking whether the particular loan product that you are considering can be used as part of a split arrangement.
If you are thinking about a fixed rate, rate lock is another feature that buyers really should consider in the immediate future. A rate lock is usually applied before a fixed rate home loan settles, as processing your home loan application does indeed take some time.
Depending on the lending provider and the rate lock options available, once you ‘lock’ in the interest rate with them, the rate you apply for will be secured and confirmed for up to ninety days before your loan settles. In a nutshell, you remove the risk of being caught out with a change to interest rates while you get the paperwork sorted. Depending on your lender, rate lock can cost as little as $500 – while the peace of mind is priceless.
If you’re thinking about applying for a mortgage or are about to be, then it’s worth getting in touch with the professionals.
Navigating the complex world of home loans has long been regarded as stressful, frustrating and time consuming – but if you can find the right advice on sourcing how mortgages work, then the good news is that it doesn’t have to be.
Since their inception in 2012, the team at Madd Loans have worked tirelessly in providing over 3,000 Australians with finance options to help turn their dreams into reality. With the entire brand being built on referrals, owner George Samios takes great pride in making the loan process both fun, educational and stress free – and he has a swag of awards to prove it.
If thinking about your financial future strikes a chord with you, then it might be time to speak to a professional. Whether you’re chasing mortgage solutions or a financial fairy godmother, the team at Madd work together as a collective to turn your goals into reality.
What if we told you that there was a way to pay less on interest while still saving money? Needless to say, offset accounts can be worth their weight in gold.
With homeowners around the nation feeling nervous about rising interest rates, it’s only natural that many have started researching ways to pay less on what feels like an unavoidable expense. Even an increase of 1% can see repayments lift by hundreds of dollars each month – a prospect nobody relishes.
However, offset accounts are proving to be an increasingly popular way to pay less interest on an existing home loan. While lending providers and mortgage brokers often tout this feature as one of the key “bells and whistles” that separate loan products, not all home loans offer such a feature. When properly deployed, a well oiled offset account has the potential to save homeowners thousands of dollars in repayments, but what’s the catch?
In simple terms, the aim of the offset accounts game is to use up to 100% of the balance of a linked transaction account to “offset” – or effectively reduce – the portion of your home loan that is accruing interest. As an example, if you currently had a mortgage with a balance of $350, 000 owing, but also had $50, 000 in a linked 100% offset account – you would only pay interest on $300, 000 of your balance.
Thus, instead of having that $50, 000 earning interest in a separate savings account, by placing it in a linked offset account to your mortgage, it’s a means to pay less interest on an existing mortgage. While the loan repayments remain the same, the payments come off the principal of the loan and not interest, ultimately saving consumers thousands of dollars over the lifetime of their mortgage.
When making repayments on your home loan, you’re usually paying both the principal of the actual loan, plus interest. Offset amounts can make the loan technically “smaller”, offering borrowers a chance to pay their loan off faster. In addition, Australians pay tax on any interest earned from a savings account or term deposit. If you have a large amount of savings, transferring this to an offset account is also an effective way to reduce the amount of tax you’re paying – an opportunity almost everyone would happily jump at.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of offset accounts, there are two primary formats available in Australia. A 100% offset account “offsets” the interest rate payable on the mortgage, by the full balance of the account. This option is usually available for just variable rates, but ultimately depends on your lending provider, their products and their policies.
When it comes to virtually any style of loan, nobody wants to pay any more money than they have to right? Offset accounts are one way to significantly reduce the amount of interest that you are paying to a bank.
When making repayments on your home loan, you’re usually paying both the principal of the actual loan, plus interest. Offset amounts can make the loan technically “smaller”, offering borrowers a chance to pay their loan off faster.
Australians pay tax on any interest earned from a savings account or term deposit. If you have a large amount of savings, transferring this to an offset account is one way to reduce the amount of tax you’re paying.
If you’re making voluntary contributions to your home loan without the function of an offset account or redraw facility, then you can’t access those funds or get them back in the event of an emergency – so an offset account provides an extra layer of both security and flexibility.
If you’re feeling anxious about how future interest rate rises will potentially affect you or how you could best use an offset account, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your lending provider or mortgage broker. In simple terms, a home loan health check is a free discussion or “check up” aimed at fine tuning all the complexities involved with your current mortgage, and can allow consumers to explore their options linked to offset accounts.
Home loan navigation can be challenging, particularly when you’re unsure about the right choice for your needs. Fortunately, teaming up with a mortgage expert ensures that you have a knowledgeable ally to guide you through the process.
If contemplating your financial future resonates with you, now may be the perfect time to consult with a professional. Whether you’re seeking mortgage solutions or in need of a financial fairy godmother, the cohesive team at Madd works collaboratively to transform your aspirations into actual achievements.
Home loan navigation can be challenging, particularly when you’re unsure about the right choice for your needs. Fortunately, teaming up with a mortgage expert ensures that you have a knowledgeable ally to guide you through the process.
If contemplating your financial future resonates with you, now may be the perfect time to consult with a professional. Whether you’re seeking mortgage solutions or in need of a financial fairy godmother, the cohesive team at Madd works collaboratively to transform your aspirations into actual achievements.
From buying your first home to refinancing, commercial or construction loans – our free service takes the stress out of getting finance. We offer our services Australia wide so why not reach out to us today. We’d love to hear from you.
