Could buying the latest iPhone ruin your chance of owning a home?

From going on a daily walk to savouring every last drop of a morning coffee, everyone finds joy in their own way.
And for many Aussies, getting their hands on the latest technology, like a new iPhone, seems to be their cup of tea.
But according to Consumer and Finance Law firm, MyCRA Lawyers, the quest for joy might have an unhappy ending when the time comes to take out a home loan.
“When you apply for a new phone the telco will do a credit check which shows up on your file, and if you buy the handset upfront using a buy-now-pay-later service, some of those will do a credit check as well,” said MyCRA Lawyers CEO, Graham Doessel.
“Once you have a few of these in a short period on your credit file you run the risk of being rejected outright for a home loan.”
Doessel explained that the reasoning for the harsh critique by lenders could come down to comprehensive credit reporting (CCR), the new system that gives lenders a better look at your credit history - from previous credit applications, to whether you’re paying bills on time, and even whenever you pick up a brand new phone.
“Telcos are one of the most common causes of defaults on a credit file, while a default won’t necessarily rule out of getting a home loan it will certainly be enough for your bank to see you as a risk and therefore apply a higher interest rate, which may price you out of the market,” he explained.
It’s no secret that one way to fast track your way to home ownership is to save, save, save, but it could be argued that making sure your credit history is in order is just as important.
And while you might be second guessing grabbing the iPhone 11 now, there are a few other things that could put a dent in your credit history, like:
- Missing loan repayments - Lenders want to see that you’re a reliable borrower, so if you’ve taken out a personal loan or car loan in the past, make sure you’re meeting every repayment on time.
- Credit report mistakes - It’s a good idea to check in on your credit history every now again to make sure there are no unexplainable black marks. The last thing you want is to find your home loan application has been rejected because of an error that might not even be your doing.
- Not having any credit - While it might seem strange, having a blank credit history might be considered less than favourable. Lenders want to see how well you manage credit and whether you can do it responsibly. In this case, a low rate credit card could give you the starting point you might need.
So if you think your credit score could use a little work, check out our guide on improving your credit score!
Or if you’re ready to start comparing some of the latest home loan deals available, head on over to our home loan comparison tool.
Compare home loans - last updated 13 August 2022
-
PAYG Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.29% p.a. variable3.33% p.a.Low variable rate. Ideal for new home buyers or refinancers. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraw. Application completely online. Optional 100% offset can be added for $120 p.a.. 20% deposit required.
CompareComparePAYG Home Loan
Low variable rate. Ideal for new home buyers or refinancers. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraw. Application completely online. Optional 100% offset can be added for $120 p.a.. 20% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 3.29% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.33% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.29% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.33% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $840
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $500.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - $10 per month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $250,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the PAYG Home Loan
-
Smart Booster Home Loan
1 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.74% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 4.23% p.a. variable4.22% p.a.Already includes July RBA rate increase. No monthly or ongoing fees. loans.com.au has some of the fastest settlement times on the market. They can meet 30-day settlement timeline so you can start saving thousands, as soon as possible! Mozo award-winning online lender, friendly and local Australian based team.
CompareCompareSmart Booster Home Loan
Already includes July RBA rate increase. No monthly or ongoing fees. loans.com.au has some of the fastest settlement times on the market. They can meet 30-day settlement timeline so you can start saving thousands, as soon as possible! Mozo award-winning online lender, friendly and local Australian based team.
- interest rate
- 3.74% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 4.23% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 4.22% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.74% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 4.23% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 4.22% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $1,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster Home Loan
-
First Home Buyer Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment4.14% p.a. variable4.17% p.a.A low variable rate loan for home buyers. No establishment or ongoing fees to pay. 100% offset account included. Allows for unlimited repayments, redraws and flexible repayment options.
CompareCompareFirst Home Buyer Loan
A low variable rate loan for home buyers. No establishment or ongoing fees to pay. 100% offset account included. Allows for unlimited repayments, redraws and flexible repayment options.
- interest rate
- 4.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 4.17% p.a.
- interest rate
- 4.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 4.17% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - fees apply
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 95.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- -
- maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the First Home Buyer Loan
-
Variable Home Loan
<80% LVR, Owner Occupier, Interest Only
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment4.74% p.a. variable4.19% p.a.Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 20% deposit.
CompareCompareVariable Home Loan
Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 20% deposit.
- interest rate
- 4.74% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 4.19% p.a.
- interest rate
- 4.74% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 4.19% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Interest Only
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Variable Home Loan
* 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 $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate, loan amount and term entered. 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.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.