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. Advertiser disclosure.
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Offset Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
1.85% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 2.25% p.a. variable
2.21% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close details
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Offset Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
Smart Booster Home Loan
2 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
1.85% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 2.25% p.a. variable
2.21% p.a.
New super low introductory rate home loan for two years. Min 20% deposit. No monthly or ongoing fees. Fast settlement times. Mozo award-winning online lender. Friendly, local Australian based team.
Smart Booster Home Loan
New super low introductory rate home loan for two years. Min 20% deposit. No monthly or ongoing fees. Fast settlement times. Mozo award-winning online lender. Friendly, local Australian based team.
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1.85% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 2.25% p.a. variable
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2.21% p.a.
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$520
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$0.00
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$0.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
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Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
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$520
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80.00%
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$50,000
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$1,000,000
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Variable
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster Home Loan
Details Close
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1.95% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.27% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsUHomeLoan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
1.95% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.27% p.a.
$0 fees and easy application. Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.
UHomeLoan
$0 fees and easy application. Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.
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1.95% p.a.
fixed 3 years -
2.27% p.a.
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$0
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$0.00
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$0.00
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yes - free up to $20,000 during fixed rate term
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no
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no
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$0
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80.00%
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$100,000
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$2,000,000
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Fixed
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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$395 Establishment fee waived for fixed rate loans that settle by 30 September 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan
Details Close
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2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.32% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsBasic Home Loan
Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<70%
2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.32% p.a.
No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $750,000.
Basic Home Loan
No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $750,000.
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2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years -
2.32% p.a.
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$0
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$0.00
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$400.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
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no
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$0
-
70.00%
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$150,000
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$750,000
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Fixed
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Basic Home Loan
Details Close
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Home Loan Innovation - 2021
- Investor Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
1.99% p.a. variable
1.99% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close details Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Home Loan Innovation - 2021
- Investor Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
1.99% p.a. variable
1.99% p.a.
Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required. Winner of three Mozo Expert's Choice Awards for 2021.
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required. Winner of three Mozo Expert's Choice Awards for 2021.
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1.99% p.a. variable
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1.99% p.a.
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$0
-
$0.00
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$0.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
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no
-
$0
-
60.00%
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$100,000
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$2,000,000
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Variable
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Details Close
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1.99% p.a. variable
1.99% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsVariable Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
1.99% p.a. variable
1.99% p.a.
Refinance only. Super-fast digital application process. Zero upfront fees. No on-going service fees. Free 100% offset sub account. Comes with Visa debit card and the ability to use digital wallets; Apple and Google Pay. 25% deposit required.
Variable Home Loan
Refinance only. Super-fast digital application process. Zero upfront fees. No on-going service fees. Free 100% offset sub account. Comes with Visa debit card and the ability to use digital wallets; Apple and Google Pay. 25% deposit required.
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1.99% p.a. variable
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1.99% p.a.
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$0
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$0.00
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$0.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
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yes - offset sub account
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$0
-
75.00%
-
$100,000
-
$2,500,000
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Variable
-
Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Variable Home Loan
Details Close
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
1.99% p.a. variable
2.02% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close details Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
Variable Home Loan Special
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <70%
1.99% p.a. variable
2.02% p.a.
Special rate applies to home loan applications submitted by 31 July 2021. Unlimited additional repayments, free redraw, 100% offset account. 30% deposit required. Simple online application. Low Cost Home Loan winner in the Mozo Expert's Choice Awards for 2021.
Variable Home Loan Special
Special rate applies to home loan applications submitted by 31 July 2021. Unlimited additional repayments, free redraw, 100% offset account. 30% deposit required. Simple online application. Low Cost Home Loan winner in the Mozo Expert's Choice Awards for 2021.
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1.99% p.a. variable
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2.02% p.a.
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$849
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$0.00
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$500.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
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Optional - $10 per month
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$849
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70.00%
-
$150,000
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$1,500,000
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Variable
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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Special rate applies to home loan applications submitted by 31 July 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Variable Home Loan Special
Details Close
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home loans Awards
