Christmas comes early for borrowers with heaps of home loan rate cuts

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Kelly Emmerton

20 Nov 2017

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Key points

  • First home buyers and refinancers are the big winners in recent rate cuts

  • 30 lenders have cut variable rates for principal and interest borrowers since October

  • 70 lenders are now offering variable rates under 4.00%

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The festive season is fast approaching, and lenders are certainly getting into the Christmas spirit, with 30 lenders lowering rates on variable rate home loans since the beginning of October, Mozo data shows.

“First home buyers and refinancers making principal and interest repayments are on the Nice list this year, with a tonne of ultra competitive rates on offer for these borrowers,” said Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont.

Among the lenders reducing rates, the average rate cut was 15 basis points, while one generous lender cut by more than 5 times that amount. There are now a massive 70 lenders in Mozo’s database offering up variable rates under 4.00% on principal and interest home loans.

“These rate cuts have come at a really great time for those looking to get into the property market, with cooling prices and stamp duty exemptions in some major markets making conditions much more welcoming for first time buyers,” said Lamont.

“And for owner-occupiers who already have a mortgage, this presents a perfect opportunity to re-evaluate the deal you’re getting and jump on a better rate.”

Low Rate Home Loans - December 2017 - rates updated daily

  • Promoted

    loans.com.au

    1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.57% p.a. variable

    2.55% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    Smart Booster 1 Year Discount Variable Home Loan

    A super low introductory rate home loan with no monthly or ongoing fees. Unlimited free redraws and unlimited additional repayments to help you build your equity and own your home sooner. Multiple loan splits available. (Rates revert after introductory period ends).

    • 1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.57% p.a. variable

    • 2.55% p.a.

    • $520

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • $520

    • 80.00%

    • $50,000

    • $1,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster 1 Year Discount Variable Home Loan

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  • Promoted

    HSBC

    2.09% p.a.
    fixed 2 years

    2.98% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    Fixed Rate Home Loan

    Have the security of a fixed rate for 2 years with the option to split with one of the HSBC variable Home Loans. No ongoing monthly service fees or annual fees. Mozo Experts Choice Fixed Home Loan 2020^

    • 2.09% p.a.
      fixed 2 years

    • 2.98% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $300.00

    • yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.

    • no

    • no

    • $0

    • 80.00%

    • $50,000

    • $7,500,000

    • Fixed

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Rate Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    UBank

    2.14% p.a.
    fixed 1 year

    3.01% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    UHomeLoan

    $0 fees and easy application with the Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year.^ Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.

    • 2.14% p.a.
      fixed 1 year

    • 3.01% p.a.

    • $395

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free up to $20,000 p.a.

    • no

    • no

    • $395

    • 80.00%

    • $100,000

    • $2,000,000

    • Fixed

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    ING

    2.59% p.a. variable

    2.62% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Mortgage Simplifier

    Enjoy no ongoing monthly or annual account-keeping fees. Unlimited additional repayments. Redraw facility available. If you choose to round up your Orange Everyday, every card purchase will help to directly reduce your outstanding home loan balance.

    • 2.59% p.a. variable

    • 2.62% p.a.

    • $299

    • $0.00

    • $250.00

    • yes - free

    • yes

    • no

    • $299

    • 80.00%

    • $150,000

    • $999,999

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Mortgage Simplifier

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Suncorp

    2.29% p.a.
    fixed 2 years

    3.32% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Fixed Home Loan Special Offer Home Package Plus

    No monthly account keeping fees & No loan establishment fee. Get a $2,000 cash bonus when you refinance with an eligible Suncorp Bank Home Loan of $250k+. T&Cs & eligibility criteria apply.

    • 2.29% p.a.
      fixed 2 years

    • 3.32% p.a.

    • $0

    • $375.00 yearly

    • $350.00

    • yes - free up to $500 per month

    • no

    • no

    • $0

    • 90.00%

    • $150,000

    • -

    • Fixed

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    • Refinance from another lender to receive a $2,000 cash bonus for loans of at least $250,000 or $3,000 bonus for loans over $750,000. Available for loans with an LVR <90% and applications made by 30 September 2020 and settled by 29 December 2020.

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Home Loan Special Offer

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Homestar

    2.39% p.a. variable

    2.42% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Star Essentials Home Loan

    Low Cost Home Loan 2020 winner.^ A home loan packed with all the essentials and offering up to $1500 cashback and no ongoing fees. No Construction loans.

    • 2.39% p.a. variable

    • 2.42% p.a.

    • $515

    • $0.00

    • $535.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • $515

    • 80.00%

    • $150,000

    • $850,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    • Refinances receive up to $1,500 cashback or upfront fees waived on purchases for applications received by 30 September 2020 and settled by 31 December 2020.

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Star Essentials Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Hot Deal $2,500 cashback when you refinance your home loan to BOQ (T&Cs apply)

    Bank of Queensland

    2.29% p.a.
    fixed 2 years

    3.52% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Discount Fixed Rate

    Have the certainty of fixed repayments with a competitive rate from BOQ. Flexible repayment options available and make up to $5,000 in additional repayments annually. $2,500 cashback when you refinance your home loan to BOQ (min. $250k lending, max 70% LVR, T&Cs apply).

    • 2.29% p.a.
      fixed 2 years

    • 3.52% p.a.

    • $450

    • $10.00 monthly

    • $350.00

    • yes - free up to $5,000 p.a

    • no

    • no

    • $450

    • 80.00%

    • $150,000

    • -

    • Fixed

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    • $2,500 cashback when you refinance your home loan to BOQ, min $250,000, 70% LVR or less. Apply before 15 August 2020, settle by 31 October 2020.

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Discount Fixed Rate

*WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for the amount and term you entered.

**Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate, and a loan of $500,000 repaid over 25 years. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.

What to look for in a low rate home loan

A competitive comparison rate. When you’re comparing low rate loans, make sure to take a look at the comparison rate, as well as the headline interest rate. “The comparison rate reflects fixed fees and the interest rate, so it gives you a more accurate idea of what a loan will really cost you,” explains Lamont. A low interest rate paired with a high comparison rate can mean you’ll be up for a bunch of hefty fees!

Key money-saving features. Full feature home loans are generally more expensive than their no-frills counterparts. So to keep your mortgage rate low, choose an option that includes the features you will use and not the ones you won’t. “Pick and choose the extra features you’ll really use. For example, an offset account can save you heaps, but there’s no point paying extra to have it if you don't actually use it,” says Lamont.

An LVR that suits your budget. Some of the lowest rates around are reserved for borrowers with a low loan-to-value ratio - meaning a bigger deposit. So the more you can save for a home loan deposit, the more likely you will be able to snag a rock bottom rate and save on interest. “One thing to keep in mind is that if you have less than a 20% deposit, you’ll probably wind up paying Lender’s Mortgage Insurance as well, which can add thousands of dollars onto your home loan bill,” says Lamont.

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