January home loan snapshot: New Year, new property market?

By Evlin DuBose · · 4 min read
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Key Points

  • The RBA doesn’t meet in January, so official interest are on hold this month.
  • Most interest rate changes are a New Year’s hangover from 2023.
  • Home values grew 8.1% in 2023 nationally – but this wasn’t the case in every city.
Person thinking about home loan interest rates and the property market in 2024.

Hello 2024, how are you? We’re two days into the New Year and not much has changed in property and home loans since last year – but last year still brings us changes, nonetheless.

For starters, the Reserve Bank of Australia doesn’t meet in January, so home loan interest rates won’t change by much this month. Fallout from last year’s November rate hike may still shake loose some home loan rate changes: we’ll track these as they come in.

The February meeting next month is still live, however, so depending on how inflation fared over the holiday season, we may or may not get another rate hike in 2024. 

In the meantime, the average mortgage size you need to buy a new home boomed in 2023, rising a stellar 8.1% across the country, according to CoreLogic. Will this growth continue?

Let’s get into the first monthly home loan snapshot for 2024.

Home values predicted to rise in 2024 as the property market heats up

The property market may stay hot in 2024, says CoreLogic, though not quite as hot as last year. 2023 saw spectacular growth across national markets, though not every capital city felt it the same.

Housing markets like Sydney (11%), Perth (13%), and Brisbane (15%) saw the greatest booms: a cocktail of tight supply and high demand fueled competition among buyers. 

However, markets like Hobart (-0.8%) and Darwin (-0.1%) saw price falls, so not all cities are created equal. The capital cities were nearly double the price rises in regional Australia, as well. The savvy home buyer might have an opportunity further afield– perhaps for rentvesting.

January home loan interest rates to stay steady – on average

Individual lenders may make adjustments to their interest rates in January 2024, but on the whole, Mozo expects variable rates to stay roughly where they are. 

Special offers like refinance cashback and headline rates may change or even disappear as lenders reassess their financials for the coming year, but these perks aren’t the true value of a mortgage. Home loan costs primarily boil down to long-term rates and the size of your loan amount, so don’t get wooed by honeymoon promises. It’s the heart that matters.

So will interest rates go up in 2024? Most likely, though this highly depends on inflation. The RBA is determined to hike interest rates if inflation remains too high, though most Big Banks expect inflation to fall later this year. A hike could be nearer than we think, but so could the first interest rate cut. Stay tuned.

Fixed rates trend down on longer terms

Fixed home loans have started gradually coming down on longer terms – and we mean gradually. Lenders shifted the averages in the Mozo database down by a few basis points over the course of December for terms between 3-5 years. 

Since fixed rates are predictive, this means lenders expect rates to fall sometime in the future – just not anytime soon. If you’re comparing fixed rates, it’s worth weighing up the security you get now with potential savings you could enjoy in future. 

After all, when rate cuts hit, fixed home loans stay the same. On the other hand, when a rate hike hits, fixed home loans stay the same. 

At the time of writing, these are the average fixed rates for owner occupiers with an 80% LVR and a $400,000 loan:

  • 1-year: 6.54% p.a. 
  • 2-year: 6.47% p.a. 
  • 3-year: 6.44% p.a. 
  • 4-year: 6.62% p.a. 
  • 5-year: 6.65% p.a. 

Current lowest home loan rates

Woman happy to learn about home loan interest rates (abstract art).

Here are the lowest variable and fixed mortgage rates (P&I, LVR <80%) among lenders we track.

Lowest variable rates — Mozo database (2 January 2024)^^

Lender
Loan
Variable rate
Illawarra Credit Union
Bare Essentials Special Offer
5.79% p.a. (5.89% p.a. comparison rate*)
Pacific Mortgage Group
Standard Variable Home Loan
5.89% p.a. (5.89% p.a. comparison rate*)
The Mutual Bank
Special Budget Home Loan
5.89% p.a. (5.90% p.a. comparison rate*)
Community First Bank
Basic Variable Home Loan
5.94% p.a. (5.99% p.a. comparison rate*)

Compare more variable rate home loans

Lowest and average fixed rates — Mozo database (2 January 2024)^^

Term
Rate leader
Fixed rate
1-year
Illawarra Credit Union
5.90% p.a. (7.09% p.a. comparison rate*)
2-year
Australian Mutual Bank
5.53% p.a. (6.30% p.a. comparison rate*)
3-year
Australian Mutual Bank
5.48% p.a. (6.24% p.a. comparison rate*)
4-year
Up
5.80% p.a. (6.02% p.a. comparison rate*)
5-year
Australian Mutual Bank
5.63% p.a. (6.16% p.a. comparison rate*)

The above are the lowest rates in our database for borrowers with an LVR < 80%. More competitive rates are available for borrowers with lower loan-to-value ratios.

If you’re considering buying property or refinancing your existing mortgage, use Mozo’s home loan comparison table to examine lenders side-by-side, or use our refinance calculator to see how much you could save.

^^Interest rates are based on an owner occupier making principal and interest repayments on a $400,000 loan with an 80% LVR. Check out our dedicated Australian home loan statistics page for more information on average mortgage rates.

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Compare home loans in the table below.

Home loan comparisons on Mozo

Mozo may receive payment if you click the products below. We don’t compare the entire market, but you can compare more home loans here.
Last updated 27 July 2024 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*

Promoted

  • Unloan Variable

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.90 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.

  • Basic Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR<60%
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.16 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043
    Go to site

    Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 40% Deposit required.

  • Neat Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <60%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.11 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
    Go to site

    Competitively-priced variable rate loan. Ideal for owner occupiers and investors. No service fees to pay. Make free extra repayments and redraws. Flexible repayment schedule available.

  • Special Real Deal Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.13 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
    Go to site

    Refinancers or first home buyers pay no monthly or annual fees. Up to $3,000 cashback when you complete your home loan application online. $2,000 cashback on loans ≥$250K; or $3,000 cashback on loans ≥$500K. LVR ≤80%. T&Cs and credit criteria apply.

  • Optimum Fixed Rate Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    5.69 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.34 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,899
    Go to site

    Lock in a competitive interest rate and enjoy peace of mind for the fixed period. Available for owner occupied new and refinanced home loans with at least 20% deposit. Split option available as well as offset and redraw. Noapplication, ongoing or banking fees. Third Party fees may be applicable - payable within loan repayments. Extra repayments up to $20K per annum permitted. Apply online, 100% member owned credit union.

  • Unloan Variable

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.90 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.

  • OMG Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • <60% LVR
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.02 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    BCU Bank’s OMG owner occupied home loan offers a variety of great low rates depending on your deposit. Save with no ongoing annual fees. Access your extra payments when you need to through the redraw facility. Pre-approval valid for 3 months.

  • Flex Home Loan

    • Fixed
    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <60%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.34 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    Competitive Fixed rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 40% deposit required.

  • Express Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <90%
    Interest rate
    6.01 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,001
    Go to site

    Get online approval from the award-winning Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan. Multiple offset accounts and redraw available. 100% offset on variable rate loans and partial offset on fixed rate. Flexible repayment options. New home loans only.

  • Neat Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <60%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.11 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
    Go to site

    Competitively-priced variable rate loan. Ideal for owner occupiers and investors. No service fees to pay. Make free extra repayments and redraws. Flexible repayment schedule available.

  • Special Real Deal Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.13 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
    Go to site

    Refinancers or first home buyers pay no monthly or annual fees. Up to $3,000 cashback when you complete your home loan application online. $2,000 cashback on loans ≥$250K; or $3,000 cashback on loans ≥$500K. LVR ≤80%. T&Cs and credit criteria apply.

  • Basic Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR<60%
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.16 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043
    Go to site

    Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 40% Deposit required.

  • Flex Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <60%
    Interest rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.38 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043
    Go to site

    Competitive variable rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 40% deposit required.

  • Offset Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR<60%
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.39 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043
    Go to site

    Ability to open up to 10 offset accounts per loan account. Fast online application. Linked Debit Mastercard® with fee-free access at ATMs across Australia. Package a credit card with your home loan and the annual card fee will be waived (T&Cs apply). 40% deposit required.

  • Basic Home Loan

    • Fixed
    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR<70%
    Interest rate
    6.25 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.20 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,079
    Go to site

    No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $10,000,000.

  • Offset Home Loan

    • Fixed
    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <70%
    Interest rate
    6.25 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.42 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,079
    Go to site

  • Fixed Rate

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • <80% LVR
    Interest rate
    6.54 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    7.10 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,174

    Enjoy up to $3000 cashback for eligible first home buyers and $2000 cashback for refinancers on eligible home loans with the ANZ Fixed Rate Home Loan. Get the security of repayment certainty with a competitive locked in rate. No ongoing fees to pay. Offset account on 1-year fixed loans ($10/month fee applies). Interest-only payments allowed.

image of houses

Need help with refinancing?

You might have questions that need personal answers. We’ve teamed up with the mortgage brokers at Lendi to get you the answers you need, and a home loan deal you deserve.

Learn more

* 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. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. 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.

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards

Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.

While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.

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