Home loan revert rates: The fine print to pay attention to when remortgaging

By Tara McCabe ·

With fixed home loan rates at record lows, if you’re not on the refinancing ball right now, you could miss out on some serious savings.

Of course, whenever you’re thinking about consolidating a loan or switching to another lender, there are always a few things to take into consideration. This includes break fees, how refinancing might affect your credit score, lenders mortgage insurance and when it comes to fixed interest home loans, revert rates.

What is a revert rate? 

Quite simply, a home loan revert rate is the interest rate that your home loan will revert to when the fixed interest rate period is up. The new revert rate will be a variable rate, meaning your repayments could increase or decrease, depending on market changes and your lender.

Revert rates can range anywhere from a few basis points lower than the fixed rate to more than double it, which is why it’s important to know what this rate is before you sign up to the fixed rate loan. 

Top tips for refinancing 

  • Borrowers with equity below 20%. If you have less than 20% equity in your home, refinancing may not be a good option as it will mean that you will need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance again and the cost for this might outweigh any savings you’d make from refinancing.

  • Borrowers with equity above 20%. You won’t have to worry about paying lenders mortgage insurance and this gives you more leeway to take advantage of low fixed interest rates for a few years. Be sure that you take note of the revert rate upfront and if this is on the high side, be fully prepared to refinance again when the fixed rate period ends.  

Compare refinance home loans - rates updated daily

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    2.57% p.a.variable

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  • Extra features. It is also good to remember that there is more to consider when refinancing. For instance, while a fixed interest rate home loan might come with a low revert rate, it might not come with all the features you’re after, such as the ability to make extra payments or an offset account.

    • Fixed home loans with competitive revert rates

    Here are a few examples of fixed interest rate home loans with competitive variable revert rates. Just keep in mind that, as these are variable rates, they are subject to change and may not be the same in a few years when the fixed interest rate period is up.

    Head to our refinance home loans page for more options, or check out the deals on offer below.

    *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, loan amount and term entered. 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.

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    Tara McCabe
    Tara McCabe
    Money writer

    Tara McCabe writes across all areas of personal finance here at Mozo from banking through to insurance. Tara is expert at practical money tips, showing readers ways to live richer and be socially conscious while doing it. She earned a BA (Hons) in English Literature from Canterbury Christ Church University.