Experts urge Aussies to opt for fixed home loan rates, following emergency RBA cut
Mozo money experts have urged Aussies to consider fixing their home loan rate, following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s emergency cash rate cut.
In response to the recent economic downturn as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the RBA made the decision today to cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points. At just 0.25%, the cash rate is now the lowest it has been in 23 years.
RELATED: How home loan refinancing could give you a much-needed cash injection in 2020
Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont said, “With many of us tightening our purse strings, today’s emergency rate cut could be the signal to fix your home loan, as many lenders may soon be faced with higher funding costs they will need to pass on to customers.”
This comes just days after Mozo research revealed that 87% of Australians fear trying economic times ahead and that 1 in 5 are anxious about their job security.
Why fix?
“Although record low rates are generally a good thing for mortgage customers, the level of risk faced by lenders in this volatile market means locking in a rate could be a smart move.”
Lamont suggested that in these difficult times, fixing your home loan interest rate could help ease any anxiety you might have concerning future variable interest rate hikes.
Within minutes of the RBA’s announcement to cut the cash rate, big four bank Commbank announced that it would be cutting rates for it’s 1, 2 and 3 year Fixed Rate (Wealth Package) Home Loan by a significant 70 basis points. This means that 2 year fixed rates will drop to a low 2.29% p.a. (comparison rate 4.19%*). This new low rate will not come into effect until May 1st, but when it does it will most likely be the lowest fixed rate home loan in the Mozo database^.
Depending on what other home loan lenders make cuts, this low rate will be closely followed by the following fixed rates offered by ING, BankVic and Well Home Loans:
ING Fixed Rate Loan (Owner Occupiers with Orange Advantage)
- 2.49% p.a. for 3 year fixed rate loans (3.71% p.a. comparison rate*)
- Must be combined with ING Orange Advantage Home Loan
- No annual service fee (annual service fee $299 for Orange Advantage Home Loan)
- No application fee
BankVic Fixed Rate Home Loan (Premium Package)
- 2.50% p.a. for 3 year fixed rate loans (3.76% p.a. comparison rate*)
- $375 annual service fee
- No application fee
Well Home Loans Well Balanced Fixed Home Loan
- 2.63% p.a. for 3 year fixed rate loans (3.54% p.a. comparison rate*)
- No annual service fee
- $250 application fee
Next steps
Despite Commbank’s decision today to make cuts to its fixed interest rate home loans, Mozo’s research found that on average, fixed rates offered by the big four are still 0.54% higher than the most competitive rate on the market for 3 year terms.
So while fixing your rate may protect you from future rate rises, it is still a good idea to shop around for the most competitive rates.
RELATED: UBank crowned 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year
Lamont also warned Aussies to watch out for hefty variable reversion rates once the fixed loan period is up. Mozo’s research found reversion rates as high as 5.60% p.a., that’s 3.16% p.a. above the most competitive variable rate in the Mozo database!
Feeling inspired to search for a fixed rate home loan? Why not take a look at the deals on offer below or compare rates on our compare fixed rate home loans page.
^Correct as of 19th March, 2020.
Compare fixed rate home loans - rates updated daily
Special Offer Fixed Rate Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.99% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.70% p.a.Limited time 3 Year Fixed Rate Special Offer for purchase or refinance. Rate lock option available. No monthly or ongoing fees.
Special Offer Fixed Rate Home Loan
Limited time 3 Year Fixed Rate Special Offer for purchase or refinance. Rate lock option available. No monthly or ongoing fees.
- interest rate
- 1.99% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 2.70% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $1,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Special Offer Fixed Rate Home Loan
UHomeLoan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.75% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.22% p.a.$0 fees and easy application. Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.
UHomeLoan
$0 fees and easy application. Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.
- interest rate
- 1.75% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 2.22% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $20,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- $395 Establishment fee waived for fixed rate loans that settle by 30 September 2022. Receive 1.75% 3 year fixed rate when you apply by 29 April 2021 and settle within 90 days.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan
Basic Home Loan
Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<70%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.43% p.a.Get a flexible loan structure with up to six loan accounts with different rate types. Make free extra repayments. Enjoy free redraw facility. No upfront or ongoing fees. Option to earn Qantas points.
Basic Home Loan
Get a flexible loan structure with up to six loan accounts with different rate types. Make free extra repayments. Enjoy free redraw facility. No upfront or ongoing fees. Option to earn Qantas points.
- interest rate
- 2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 2.43% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $400.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $750,000
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Basic Home Loan
Special Offer Reward Me Fixed Rate Home Loan
Owner Occupier, LVR <80%, 300k+
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.94% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.77% p.a.Enjoy $3,000 cashback when you refinance with Virgin Money (T&Cs apply). Additional repayments up to $10,000 per annum. Reverts to the discounted variable rate on expiry of the fixed term.
Special Offer Reward Me Fixed Rate Home Loan
Enjoy $3,000 cashback when you refinance with Virgin Money (T&Cs apply). Additional repayments up to $10,000 per annum. Reverts to the discounted variable rate on expiry of the fixed term.
- interest rate
- 1.94% p.a.
fixed 2 years
- comparison rate
- 2.77% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $450
- Ongoing fees
- $10.00 monthly
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to $10,000 per annum
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $300,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- $3,000 cashback for new borrowings of at least $300,000, applications by 28 May 2021, settled by 27 August 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Special Offer Reward Me Fixed Rate Home Loan
Star Classic Fixed Special Home Loan
Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.74% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.23% p.a.Enjoy a new and unbelievably low introductory rate home loan for one year. Unlimited free online redraws and additional repayments up to $20K to help you pay off your home sooner. Multiple loan splits possible and flexible replacements. (Rates revert after introductory period ends).
Star Classic Fixed Special Home Loan
Enjoy a new and unbelievably low introductory rate home loan for one year. Unlimited free online redraws and additional repayments up to $20K to help you pay off your home sooner. Multiple loan splits possible and flexible replacements. (Rates revert after introductory period ends).
- interest rate
- 1.74% p.a.
fixed 2 years
- comparison rate
- 2.23% p.a.
- upfront fees
- $515
- Ongoing fees
- $395.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
- $535.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $20,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $1,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- Special rate available for applications received by 30 May 2021 and settled by 31 August 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Star Classic Fixed Special Home Loan
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loans Awards
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