REFINANCING
Refinancing your home loan
We’d be happy to assist you in investigating the options to refinance your current loan.
Read our tips on refinancing, or complete the below to find out some of your options.
Simply let us know what you’re looking for so we can start to match you with a finance solution that’s right for you.
Refinancing is the process of restructuring or reorganising, your loan to ensure you have the combination of fixed and variable terms that work right for your individual situation. It may involve transferring your loan from one bank to another bank to take advantage of more favourable terms and conditions that are in your best interest.
For Refinancing is available for anyone with a mortgage who meets certain criteria and For Refinancing with us you don’t have to be a current Loan House customer to take advantage of this service.
With refinancing, our team of specialists will review your financial situation and check to how your mortgage is performing. We look at the rate/s you are paying, the structure of your loan, your income and expenses as well as your near to medium term goals.
With this information, we can provide a recommendation for refinance that may save you thousands of dollars in interest payments and allow you to pay off your loan faster and still within your working life. If you are currently on a fixed term, we can analyse the break costs (i.e. what you need to pay to end your term) to understand if this option is worth pursuing. With refinancing, we will always present a deal that works in your interest. Think of it as a “check-up service” for your mortgage!
Should I refinance my mortgage?
Reasons for refinancing a home loan are diverse but generally, you may be looking to achieve one of these objectives:
Secure a lower interest rate
When you believe your current bank is not giving you the lowest rate on your mortgage and playing hard ball, switching to a new bank can help you negotiate a lower interest rate. As a mortgage broker with major Australian banks we understand which lender may go the extra mile for you. If your new loan is on a lower interest rate then the interest savings are for you to keep, or simply use towards paying off more of the home loan itself!
Reduce interest charges through debt consolidation
If you have other debts such as outstanding credit cards, hire purchases, car loans or business loans, refinancing can provide the opportunity to streamline your debts and group any debts with a high interest rate into one lower home loan rate, reducing. the monthly payments. However, paying these debts over a much longer loan term is likely to increase the total interest payable.
Access new home loan features
Depending on your personal circumstances, you may want to access bank products. These could be credit cards with home loan interest rates or offset facilities which combine the balances of your everyday accounts and subtracts these from the total owing on your mortgage to reduce the amount of interest you pay. If these products or features are not available at your current bank, switching to another bank can help you access these features so you can save money on interest repayments.
Avoid putting all your eggs in one basket
Rather than having your loan portfolio with just one bank, you may want to spread any risk by switching some of your loans to another bank.
Current Bank not giving good service
If you are not happy with the level of service from your current bank or personal banker then switching to a new bank gives you a chance to start over.
Your current bank has said NO!
You’ve asked your current bank for additional loan and they said NO! Why not try asking another bank? Each bank’s lending criteria is a little different and switching your existing home loan to another bank may help you secure the additional funding you need.
Avoid ongoing bank fees
Often, you will come to a point where your current bank no longer waives the ongoing monthly account maintenance fees and debit card fees. Switching to a new bank can help you avoid these fees as many banks these days waive such fees for an initial period of one to two years.
Pay off your home loan quicker (restructuring)
Having the right structure on your home loan may help you pay off the loan sooner than a bank’s standard 30-year loan term. If restructuring your existing home loan with your current bank is costing you, then switching to a new bank may help you will avoid these costs and may allow you to pay the home loan quicker.
Time to switch from non-bank lender to mainstream bank
You have been with a private lender for a while and you have grown tired of paying ongoing fees and high interest rates. Switching to a new bank can help you avoid these high interest rates and fees.
You have an interest-only loan for an investment property
The interest-only period on your property investment loan is coming to an end and your current bank is not going to renew it, meaning your repayments will increase. We can shop around on your behalf and negotiate a new interest-only loan with a new provider in order to keep your repayments at the current level. In some cases, this interest-only period can be extended up to five years.
What are the costs involved in refinancing my mortgage?
- Early Repayment Cost – If you repay your loan before your loan is due for maturity as part of refinancing, your current bank may charge a break fee.
- Discharge Fee – Banks may charge a discharge or admin fee to complete the paperwork involved in discharge of your home loan and transfer it over.
- Legal Cost – Switching to the new bank will involve signing new loan documents in front of a solicitor and the solicitor will charge you for their services.
- Valuation Cost – Many banks give cash and legal fee contributions to ensure the cost of switching is minimum or negligible. Many banks complete an electronic valuation of properties but in some cases, banks may ask you to get a physical valuation completed using the services of a registered valuer.
