Home loan rates review - Spring 2017

Kirsty Timsans

31 Aug 2017

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Key Points

  • Spring home loan season kicks off with fierce rates competition

  • A record 66 lenders are now offering variable rates below 4.00%

  • Average Big 4 bank variable rate now 1.20% higher than lowest on market

Compare top home loans now >>

Fierce lender competition for prime home loan customers is delivering a rate cut bonanza for owner-occupier borrowers this spring.

23 lenders have already cut variable rates to coincide with the spring property season, and Mozo’s data reveals that a record 66 lenders are now offering variable home loan rates below 4.00%. 

Aussie, ING, CommBank and Westpac are among lenders to cut variable rates in recent weeks, with more lenders expected to follow as peak property season heats up.

According to Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont, the level of competition on the home loan rates front is higher than usual this spring.

“Spring is traditionally peak season for home loan offers, and this season we’re seeing intense competition amongst lenders driving owner-occupier variable rates to new record lows”, said Ms Lamont.

Home Loan Rates - November 2017 - rates updated daily

  • Promoted

    loans.com.au

    3.03% p.a. variable

    3.05% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Smart Home Loan

    A low-rate home loan that could save you thousands. No application or ongoing fees. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraws with no minimum redraw amount.

    • 3.03% p.a. variable

    • 3.05% p.a.

    • $520

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 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 Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    UBank

    3.34% p.a. variable

    3.34% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    UHomeLoan - Discount Offer

    Enjoy a low rate & no bank fees (on variable loans) from one of Australia's leading digital banks. Easy & fast to apply, you'll get free redraw with flexible repayments. Min. 20% deposit required. Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2019 in the Low Cost Home Loan category.

    • 3.34% p.a. variable

    • 3.34% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $200,000

    • $699,999

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan - Discount Offer

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    HSBC

    3.27% p.a. variable

    3.28% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Discounted Home Value Loan

    As of 22nd July HSBC will be reducing this rate to 3.27% p.a.* (3.28% p.a. comparison rate^) so enquire now and be one of the first to make the most of this great rate. Enjoy unlimited free extra repayments and no ongoing service fees when you apply by 31 July (t&cs apply). Get help with the application process with an HSBC relationship manager. Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2019 in the Low Cost Home Loan category.^

    • 3.27% p.a. variable

    • 3.28% p.a.

    • $150

    • $0.00

    • $300.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free online

    • no

    • 90.00%

    • $50,000

    • $7,500,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Discounted Home Value Loan

    Go to site

  • Featured Product

    Athena

    3.09% p.a. variable

    3.05% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Variable Home Loan

    With low rates, no fees, and automatic rate match, new-comer Athena wants you to love them and leave them. Refinance only. Minimum 20% deposit.

    • 3.09% p.a. variable

    • 3.05% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $100,000

    • $2,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Variable Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Bank of Queensland

    2.99% p.a.
    fixed 3 years

    4.19% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    3 Year Discount Fixed Rate

    Apply by 31 August 2019. Minimum loan amount of $300k and LVR max of 80%. Free additional repayments up to $5,000 per year. $1,000 cashback for first home buyers

    • 2.99% p.a.
      fixed 3 years

    • 4.19% p.a.

    • $450

    • $10.00 monthly

    • $320.00

    • yes - free up to $5,000 p.a

    • no

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $300,000

    • -

    • Fixed

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the 3 Year Discount Fixed Rate

  • Promoted

    IMB Bank

    3.54% p.a. variable

    3.57% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Budget Home Loan

    Start with only 10% minimum deposit. Unrestricted additional repayments and free redraw facility.

    • 3.54% p.a. variable

    • 3.57% p.a.

    • $350

    • $0.00

    • $350.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 90.00%

    • $75,000

    • $5,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Budget Home Loan

  • Promoted

    Newcastle Permanent

    3.49% p.a. variable

    3.49% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Special Real Deal Home Loan

    Special Real Deal owner occupied home loan with principal and interest repayments and an LVR of less than 90%

    • 3.49% p.a. variable

    • 3.49% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - fees apply

    • yes - partial only

    • 90.00%

    • $150,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Special Real Deal Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Heritage Bank

    3.42% p.a. variable

    3.47% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Discount Variable Home Loan

    Enjoy no monthly administration fees, and the ability to make extra repayments with Heritage Bank's Discounted Variable Rate Home Loan. Featuring a great low rate, experience the difference this established bank has to offer.

    • 3.42% p.a. variable

    • 3.47% p.a.

    • $750

    • $0.00

    • $250.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $150,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Discount Variable Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Featured Product

    ME

    3.43% p.a.
    fixed 2 years

    4.05% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Flexible Home Loan Member Package

    Option to split your loan into fixed and variable for 1-7 years. Offset available on the variable rate facility. Extra repayments up to $30K during fixed rate period and free redraws available (above $500) when you're ahead of your payments.

    • 3.58% p.a.
      fixed 3 years

    • 4.26% p.a.

    • $200

    • $395.00 yearly

    • $350.00

    • yes - free up to $30,000 during fixed rate period

    • no

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $40,000

    • -

    • Fixed

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Flexible Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Bank of Queensland

    3.54% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 4.01% p.a. variable

    4.06% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    2 Year Intro Rate Variable Home Loan

    Choose weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments to align with your pay cycle or budget needs. Make additional repayments anytime to reduce the interest on your loan and pay your loan off sooner. Available for construction loans.

    • 3.54% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 4.01% p.a. variable

    • 4.06% p.a.

    • $150

    • $10.00 monthly

    • $320.00

    • yes - free

    • yes

    • yes

    • 90.00%

    • $150,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the 2 Year Intro Rate 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.

Look beyond the big banks for the best rates

Borrowers who choose smaller lenders over the big banks can access huge rate savings right now. The average big 4 bank variable rate for a $300,000 owner-occupier loan is 4.64%, a whopping 1.20% higher than the lowest available rate of 3.44%. 

“Owner-occupiers looking to buy a home or refinance their current home can secure an incredibly competitive home loan deal this spring if they’re prepared to shop around and consider loans from smaller lenders”, said Ms Lamont.


Rates not so rosy for investors

On the other side of the coin, housing investors are still feeling the pain of APRA’s risky lending regulations.  Australia’s new two-tier home loan interest rate market sees investors continue to pay more for debt and face stricter lending criteria.

Investors are typically paying an interest rate premium of around 27 basis points compared to owner occupier borrowers, according to Mozo's data.


How to secure the best home loan this Spring:

1. Jump online to compare the best home loan rates on the market

2. Be prepared to look beyond the big banks and go with a smaller lender

3. Go for principal  & interest repayments as interest only loan rates are higher

4. Check for upfront fees, ongoing fees and any exit fees on your current loan if you’re refinancing

5. Consider loan features that can help reduce your interest and pay off your loan faster, like free extra repayments and an offset account


Interest rates and home loan data in this article are correct as of time of writing. Average rates based on $300,000 owner-occupier loan with 80% LVR.

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