Home loan question: Is a short term fix just what you need?
If you haven’t noticed already, fixed home loans are well and truly back in vogue in 2020, largely replacing the spot previously occupied by variable home loans in offering the sharpest rates on the market.
In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a lender that hasn’t substantially reduced its fixed rate offers in recent months.
Speaking of which, yesterday’s rate cut by Victorian-based Bank First is typical of this trend. The mutual bank dropped the interest rate available with its 3-year fixed term Home Loan (Fixed, Premier Package) by 20 basis points to 1.99% (3.10% comparison rate*).
That means the offer is now the lowest 3-year fixed rate in the Mozo database and one of the very few home loan interest rates sitting below 2.00%.
Bank First aren’t the only lender to have recently dropped a fixed rate offer to new lows though, with other notable changes in the past month including:
- Homestar: Released the new Star Classic Owner Occupied Special loan with a 1.98% fixed rate (2.51% comparison rate*) for 1 year
- UBank: Cut 15 basis points off the 3-year UHomeLoan (Fixed) offer which now sits at 2.14% (2.41% comparison rate*)
- Community First Credit Union: Launched the new Accelerator Package Fixed Rate Home Loan offer with a 1.99% fixed rate (3.25% comparison rate*) for 1 year
- Bank of us: Cut the 1-year fixed term rate on the FlexiDiscount Home Loan (Fixed) offer to 1.99% (2.85% comparison rate*)
Why are fixed rates so low?
As the examples above demonstrate, lenders are offering up some seriously competitive shorter term fixed rates at the moment, with a handful even dipping below the 2.00% mark.
But why is this the case, and does this present a real opportunity for borrowers?
According to Mozo Banking Expert, Peter Marshall, the widespread cuts we’ve seen to fixed rates in recent months flow back to actions taken by the Reserve Bank.
“Back in March, the RBA made a term funding facility available which was set at 0.25% for three years, so banks know that they’ve got a source of funding to draw upon. RBA Governor Philip Lowe has also said that he expects the cash rate to stay where it is for several years, which adds further to this idea of stability.
“Banks are also incredibly keen to attract new business, so they're trying to cut rates as hard as they can.
“If they’re offering a cheap variable rate though, they generally have to keep offering it for pretty much the life of the loan. However, with a cheap 1 or 2-year fixed offer, those rates only apply for a short amount of time before they revert to something higher.”
As the table below shows, despite already being lower back in January, shorter term fixed rates for owner-occupiers have been reduced by significantly larger amounts on average than their variable rate counterparts.
Average variable vs fixed rates for owner-occupiers^
January 2020 | August 2020 | Change | |
Variable rate | 3.71% | 3.38% | -0.33% |
1-year fixed rate | 3.32% | 2.58% | -0.74% |
2-year fixed rate | 3.18% | 2.54% | -0.64% |
3-year fixed rate | 3.21% | 2.62% | -0.59% |
Of course, while nabbing a low interest rate will certainly be high on the wish lists of most borrowers, fixed rate offers aren’t without some drawbacks.
“After the fixed period ends, it’s really open slather - customers either accept the revert rate a lender rolls them onto, or they need to make an active decision to choose another rate,” says Marshall.
“Most people won’t bother making that active decision though, and the lenders know that, which is why another reason why they’re very happy to cut their margins lower than they might otherwise because they know it’s just a short term cost.”
“Fixed loans often don’t come with an offset facility, or if they do, they tend to be quite limited. The same goes for borrowers making extra repayments, because these are often capped or limited as well.”
RELATED: Home loan rates are at record lows, but how much will your revert rate cost you?
Ready to see how your current rate stacks up? Check out some of the most competitive fixed rate offers in the table below, or head on over to the Mozo home loan comparison hub to compare over 500 loans from 80 Australian lenders.
^The averages displayed are based on a $400,000 loan amount with an 80% loan-to-value ratio for owner-occupiers making principal and interest repayments. These are rates from the Mozo database, accurate as of August 2020. For more information, visit our home loan statistics page.
Fixed home loan comparisons on Mozo
Promoted
-
Fixed Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Lock in a low 2 year fixed rate with the Mozo award winning Home Lender of the Year. Available for live-in borrowers with just a 10% deposit required. Free extra repayments (up to 20% in fixed period), free redraw and partial offset available. $10 monthly service fee. Aussie support centre. Fast approvals. Up to 6 free offset accounts (T&Cs apply).
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - up to 20% during the fixed period
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes - partial only
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- 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 this Bendigo Bank Fixed Express Home Loan
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3 Year Special Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.69
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.16
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,899
This home loan is available for purchase or refinance, complete with 1, 2 or 3 year fixed rate options. Minimum 10% deposit required.
- Interest rate
-
5.69
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.16
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$530
- 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
- 90.00%
- 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 this loans.com.au 3 Year Special Fixed Home Loan
Go to site
-
3 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan Special Offer
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <80%
- Interest rate
-
5.49
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.97
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,836
Get repayment certainty with Police Credit Union’s 3 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan Special Offer. No annual or monthly fees to pay. Make additional repayments up to $20,000 per year. Available for first home buyers and refinancers. Member owned, but applications open to all Australians.
- Interest rate
-
5.49
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.97
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$562
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$150.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - up to $20,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $250,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- -
- 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 this Police Credit Union 3 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan Special Offer
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Basic Home Loan
- Fixed
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR<70%
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.01
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,867
No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $10,000,000.
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.01
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$400.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about this Macquarie Basic Home Loan
Go to site -
Offset Home Loan
- Fixed
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <70%
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.24
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,867
Convenient offset account. No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $10,000,000.
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.24
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$248.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$400.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about this Macquarie Offset Home Loan
Go to site -
3 Year Special Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.69
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.16
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,899
This home loan is available for purchase or refinance, complete with 1, 2 or 3 year fixed rate options. Minimum 10% deposit required.
- Interest rate
-
5.69
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.16
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$530
- 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
- 90.00%
- 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 this loans.com.au 3 Year Special Fixed Home Loan
Go to site -
Flex Home Loan
- Fixed
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.79
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.20
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,931
Competitive Fixed rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 40% deposit required.
- Interest rate
-
5.79
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.20
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$250
- Ongoing fees
-
$250.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- -
- Maximum borrowing amount
- -
- 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 this ubank Flex Home Loan
Go to site -
Fixed Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Lock in a low 2 year fixed rate with the Mozo award winning Home Lender of the Year. Available for live-in borrowers with just a 10% deposit required. Free extra repayments (up to 20% in fixed period), free redraw and partial offset available. $10 monthly service fee. Aussie support centre. Fast approvals. Up to 6 free offset accounts (T&Cs apply).
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - up to 20% during the fixed period
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes - partial only
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- 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 this Bendigo Bank Fixed Express Home Loan
Go to site -
Fixed Rate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
6.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
7.10
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,174
Enjoy up to $3000 cashback for eligible first home buyers and $2000 cashback for refinancers on eligible home loans with the ANZ Fixed Rate Home Loan. Get the security of repayment certainty with a competitive locked in rate. No ongoing fees to pay. Offset account on 1-year fixed loans ($10/month fee applies). Interest-only payments allowed.
- Interest rate
-
6.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
7.10
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$160
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$160.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to to lesser of 5% of original fixed loan amount, or $5,000 each year
- Redraw facility
-
no
- Offset account
-
Optional - $10 per month - 1 year fixed term only
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $20,000
- 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 eligible First Home Buyers borrowing $250k+, $2,000 cashback when you refinance loans of $250k+, <80% LVR, settle within 180 days for first home buyers, 120 days for refinances. Excludes refinances from ANZ, ANZ Plus and Suncorp.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about this ANZ Fixed Rate
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* 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. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. 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
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