Is now the right time to fix your home loan?
18 Jan 2019
To fix or not to fix that is the question - or at least it’s the question on the mind of both current and prospective Aussie homeowners.
If you’ve been keeping up with all the latest in home loan news, then you probably know that three of the big four banks hiked variable rates across the board last year, pushing many homeowners into the arms of smaller players and challenger lenders.
“Online lenders have been giving the big banks a run for their money for a while now and with the majority of the big four increasing their rates, it’s put a bad taste in the mouths of customers,” said Mozo Product Data Manager, Peter Marshall.
RELATED: RBA rate cut on the cards for 2019 as BOQ, Virgin Money hike home loan rates
And while the home loan market continues to remain rocky, Aussies looking to purchase their first home this year may be wondering whether or not to fix their mortgage to protect themselves from potential future hikes.
However, while fixing your home loan might sound like the right way to go, according to Marshall, unless you’re in it for the long haul, it might not make that much of a difference.
“If you’re after certainty or the assurance that your rate won’t change, then a fixed rate could be a good option - but you might have to pay a premium for it,” he said.
“Lenders have started to price in a potential cut to the cash rate this year, particularly for their longer term rates, so if you're after certainty in your repayments over the longer term there are some sharp deals around.”
And with Bank of Queensland and Virgin Money kicking off the year with steep rate hikes, Marshall is predicting that the RBA may act soon and cut rates.
RELATED: Is 2019 the year to ditch the big banks in search of a better home loan?
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the RBA cut rates in the first half of the year. This would mean the banks could hold on to some of the cash rate cuts to make up for increased funding costs, which should mean less pain for borrowers,” he said.
“But I can’t see lenders rushing to slash variable rates any time soon, and if they do pass on the cut, it won’t be by much. So if the RBA wants to provide relief for borrowers as well, a second cut could be on the cards.”
Smaller lenders shaking up the market
At the moment, the average variable rate for a basic loan without an offset account for the big four banks is 3.89%. That compares to the lowest comparable variable rate in the Mozo database - Reduce Home Loans’ Rate Lovers product - of 3.44%, making challenger lenders a hot pick for Aussie buyers.
RELATED: 5 New Year's resolutions for first home buyer success in 2019
To put that into perspective, say you took out a $300,000 to be repaid over 30 years on the average big bank rate of 3.89%. According to the Mozo repayment calculator, your monthly repayments would clock in at $1,413. But if you were to take out the same loan on the Reduce rate of 3.44%, your repayments would drop to $1,337 - a yearly saving of $912.
If you’re now thinking a variable rate could be right for you, check out our list down below or head over to our home loan comparison tool.
6 home loans for 2019 - rates updated daily
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Promoted
loans.com.au
2.57% p.a. variable
2.59% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsloans.com.au Smart Home Loan 80
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.57% p.a. variable
2.59% p.a.
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.^ 20% deposit required. Limited time only.
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.^ 20% deposit required. Limited time only.
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2.57% p.a. variable
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2.59% p.a.
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$520
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
-
no
-
$520
-
80.00%
-
$50,000
-
$1,000,000
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Home Loan 80
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Promoted
UBank 2.59% p.a. variable
2.59% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsUBank UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.59% p.a. variable
2.59% p.a.
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.
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.
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2.59% p.a. variable
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2.59% p.a.
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$0
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
-
no
-
$0
-
80.00%
-
$200,000
-
-
-
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
HSBC 2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.98% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsHSBC Fixed Rate Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <80%
2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.98% p.a.
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^
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^
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2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years -
2.98% p.a.
-
$0
-
$0.00
-
$300.00
-
yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.
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no
-
no
-
$0
-
80.00%
-
$50,000
-
$7,500,000
-
Fixed
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Rate Home Loan
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-
Promoted
Suncorp2.29% p.a.
fixed 2 years3.32% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsSuncorpFixed Home Loan Special Offer Home Package Plus
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.29% p.a.
fixed 2 years3.32% p.a.
No monthly account keeping fees & No loan establishment fee. Get a $2,000 cash bonus when you refinance with an eligible Suncorp Bank Home Loan of $250k+. T&Cs & eligibility criteria apply.
Fixed Home Loan Special Offer Home Package Plus
No monthly account keeping fees & No loan establishment fee. Get a $2,000 cash bonus when you refinance with an eligible Suncorp Bank Home Loan of $250k+. T&Cs & eligibility criteria apply.
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2.29% p.a.
fixed 2 years -
3.32% p.a.
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$0
-
$375.00 yearly
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$350.00
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yes - free up to $500 per month
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no
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no
-
$0
-
90.00%
-
$150,000
-
-
-
Fixed
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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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 30 September 2020 and settled by 29 December 2020.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Home Loan Special Offer
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Promoted
Athena 2.59% p.a. variable
2.55% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsAthena Variable Home Loan
<80% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.59% p.a. variable
2.55% p.a.
Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 20% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^
Variable Home Loan
Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 20% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^
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2.59% p.a. variable
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2.55% p.a.
-
$0
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
-
no
-
$0
-
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
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Promoted
People's Choice Credit Union2.29% p.a.
fixed 2 years3.82% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsPeople's Choice Credit UnionFixed Rate Home Loan Package
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, Home Loan Package
2.29% p.a.
fixed 2 years3.82% p.a.
A People’s Choice 2 year fixed home loan allows you to enjoy a simple, non-complicated home loan with a competitive rate. There are no restrictions to the number of loans you can combine on a package. Lock in a competitive fixed interest rate with People’s Choice.
Fixed Rate Home Loan Package
A People’s Choice 2 year fixed home loan allows you to enjoy a simple, non-complicated home loan with a competitive rate. There are no restrictions to the number of loans you can combine on a package. Lock in a competitive fixed interest rate with People’s Choice.
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2.29% p.a.
fixed 2 years -
3.82% p.a.
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$0
-
$395.00 yearly
-
$350.00
-
yes - free up to $10,000 p.a
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no
-
no
-
$0
-
95.00%
-
$100,000
-
-
-
Fixed
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Rate Home Loan
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