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

    2.48% p.a. variable

    2.50% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    Smart Home Loan 80

    A low-rate home loan that could save you thousands, with no ongoing fees plus unlimited extra repayments and free redraws. Mozo Experts Choice Low Cost Home Loan 2020.^ You'll need to be borrowing $1 million or less and have at least a 20% deposit required.

    • 2.48% p.a. variable

    • 2.50% p.a.

    • $520

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • Optional - with 0.10% additional interest

    • $520

    • 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 80

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  • Promoted

    HSBC

    2.09% p.a.
    fixed 2 years

    2.98% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    Fixed Rate Home Loan

    Have the security of a fixed rate for 2 years with the option to split with one of the HSBC variable Home Loans. No ongoing monthly service fees or annual fees. Mozo Experts Choice Fixed Home Loan 2020^

    • 2.09% p.a.
      fixed 2 years

    • 2.98% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $300.00

    • yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.

    • no

    • no

    • $0

    • 80.00%

    • $50,000

    • $7,500,000

    • Fixed

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Rate Home Loan

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  • Promoted

    Athena

    2.34% p.a. variable

    2.34% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    Celebrate Variable Home Loan

    Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 40% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^

    • 2.34% p.a. variable

    • 2.34% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • $0

    • 60.00%

    • $100,000

    • $2,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

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

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Macquarie

    2.54% p.a. variable

    2.81% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Offset Home Loan Package

    Handy offset account to help pay your home loan off sooner. Up to 10 offset accounts per loan account available. Fee free access at ATMs. Waived credit card annual fee. $0 international purchase fees.

    • 2.54% p.a. variable

    • 2.81% p.a.

    • $0

    • $248.00 yearly

    • $400.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • yes

    • $0

    • 70.00%

    • $150,000

    • $5,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Monthly

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

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  • Promoted

    UBank

    2.49% p.a. variable

    2.49% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    UHomeLoan - Discount Offer

    Enjoy a super low rate, $0 fees and easy application with the Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year.^ Free redraw with flexible repayments. Min 20% deposit.

    • 2.49% p.a. variable

    • 2.49% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • $0

    • 80.00%

    • $100,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

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

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  • Promoted

    Hot Deal Up to $1,500 cash back on refinances (T&Cs apply)

    Homestar

    2.29% p.a. variable

    2.32% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Star Essentials Home Loan

    Low Cost Home Loan 2020 winner.^ A home loan packed with all the essentials and offering up to $1500 cashback and no ongoing fees. No Construction loans.

    • 2.29% p.a. variable

    • 2.32% p.a.

    • $515

    • $0.00

    • $535.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • $515

    • 80.00%

    • $150,000

    • $850,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    • Refinances receive up to $1,500 cashback or upfront fees waived on purchases for applications received by 31 October 2020 and settled by 31 January 2021.

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Star Essentials Home Loan

  • Promoted

    Hot Deal $2,000 Refinance Cash Bonus (T&Cs apply)

    Suncorp

    2.68% p.a. variable

    2.69% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    Back to Basics Special

    No monthly account keeping fee, no ongoing annual fee and no loan establishment fee on new lending of $150,000 or more. Get a $2,000 cash bonus when you refinance with an eligible Suncorp Bank Home Loan of $250k+. T&Cs & eligibility criteria apply.

    • 2.68% p.a. variable

    • 2.69% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $350.00

    • Yes - free

    • first redraw per month free

    • no

    • $0

    • 80.00%

    • $150,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    • Refinance from another lender to receive a $2,000 cash bonus for loans of at least $250,000 or $3,000 bonus for loans over $750,000. Available for loans with an LVR <90% and applications made by 18 December 2020 and settled by 26 March 2021.

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Back to Basics Special

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Hot Deal $3,000 cashback when you refinance your home loan to BOQ (T&Cs apply)

    Bank of Queensland

    2.59% p.a. variable

    2.76% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Economy Home Loan Discount Rate

    An ongoing low variable interest rate with free redraw, flexible repayment options and one free valuation. Discounted Economy variable rate available for owner occupier lending with max LVR of 70%.

    • 2.59% p.a. variable

    • 2.76% p.a.

    • $450

    • $10.00 monthly

    • $320.00

    • yes - free

    • yes

    • no

    • $450

    • 70.00%

    • $150,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    • $3,000 cashback when you refinance your home loan to BOQ, min $250,000, 80% LVR or less. Apply before 29 November 2020, settle by 28 February 2021.

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

  • Promoted

    IMB Bank

    2.61% p.a. variable

    2.67% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    Budget Home Loan

    Competitve low interest rate for owner-occupiers with at least a 20% deposit, and no upfront fees. Free extra repayments and redraw. Zero ongoing fees.

    • 2.61% p.a. variable

    • 2.67% p.a.

    • $773

    • $0.00

    • $350.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • $773

    • 80.00%

    • $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

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    AMP Bank

    2.59% p.a. variable

    3.00% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Professional Package Variable Rate Home Loan Professional Package

    Enjoy a variable rate with the AMP Bank Professional Package Home Loan. 100% offset accounts available with full transaction access. Handy redraw facility available upon request. Minimum 20% deposit required. Other rates available for interest only option. Pre-qualify today.

    • 2.59% p.a. variable

    • 3.00% p.a.

    • $295

    • $349.00 yearly

    • $350.00

    • yes - free

    • yes

    • yes

    • $295

    • 80.00%

    • $100,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Professional Package Variable Rate 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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