Home loan rates review - Spring 2017

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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

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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

    2.88% p.a. variable

    2.90% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Smart Home Loan

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

    • 2.88% p.a. variable

    • 2.90% 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

    2.84% p.a. variable

    2.84% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    UHomeLoan - Discount Offer

    Free redraw with flexible repayments. Min 20% deposit. Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2019 in the Low Cost Home Loan category^.

    • 2.84% p.a. variable

    • 2.84% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $200,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

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

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Athena

    2.84% p.a. variable

    2.80% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Variable Home Loan

    Get the low rate you deserve with Athena, one of Australia's newest direct lenders. No fees and fee-free redraw. The same low rates for new and existing customers. Score loyalty bonus for making repayments. Min 20% deposit.

    • 2.84% p.a. variable

    • 2.80% 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

    Macquarie

    3.09% p.a. variable

    3.09% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Basic Home Loan

    No application or account management fees. Split your loan and set different repayment types or create multiple offset accounts to maximise all of your savings.

    • 3.09% p.a. variable

    • 3.09% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $400.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 70.00%

    • $150,000

    • $5,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Monthly

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

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Bank of Queensland

    2.89% p.a.
    fixed 2 years

    3.76% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Discount Fixed Rate 300k+

    Minimum loan amount of $300k. 20% deposit needed. Free additional repayments up to $5,000 per year.

    • 2.89% p.a.
      fixed 2 years

    • 3.76% 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 Discount Fixed Rate 300k+

  • Promoted

    Well Home Loans

    2.72% p.a. variable

    2.75% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Well Balanced

    Well Balanced home loan is a low rate home loan with free online redraw and no valuation fee. Purchase, Refinance or Equity Release purposes allowed. Best New Home Loan in Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2019.^

    • 2.72% p.a. variable

    • 2.75% p.a.

    • $785

    • $0.00

    • $300.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • Optional - $10 per month

    • 80.00%

    • $200,000

    • $2,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Well Balanced

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    IMB Bank

    3.13% p.a. variable

    3.19% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Budget Home Loan

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

    • 3.13% p.a. variable

    • 3.19% p.a.

    • $799

    • $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

    Athena

    3.34% p.a. variable

    2.99% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Variable Home Loan

    With Athena's loyalty bonus, receive 0.01% discount for each of the first 5 years, just for making your repayments. Athena doesn't charge any fees and you can make extra payments to reduce your loan balance to save interest

    • 3.34% p.a. variable

    • 2.99% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $100,000

    • $2,000,000

    • Variable

    • Interest Only

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

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

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Tic:Toc

    2.79% p.a. variable

    2.80% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Variable Home Loan

    Tic:Toc’s award-winning online platform could save you thousands. No application or ongoing fees, fee-free redraws and an optional offset account for $10 per month. Minimum 10% deposit. Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2019 for Online Home Lender of the Year 2019.^

    • 2.79% p.a. variable

    • 2.80% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $325.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • Optional - $10 per month

    • 90.00%

    • $50,000

    • $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

    Newcastle Permanent

    3.19% p.a. variable

    3.23% p.a.

    $1234

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

    No ongoing fees. Ability to split your loan between fixed and variable. First home buyers receive $2,500 cash back on loans $250K and above. Cash back will be deposited to the borrower’s NPBS Everyday Account after settlement.

    • 3.19% p.a. variable

    • 3.23% 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

*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.

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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