Need a fix while working from home? Do it to your mortgage!
Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, and the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) emergency cash rate cut, now may be the time to think about locking in a fixed home loan rate.
In response to the rapid spread and emerging financial effects of COVID-19, the RBA made the extraordinary decision to cut its official cash rate twice this month, dropping it to an historic low of 0.25%. (The first time they’ve cut rates ‘out of cycle’ since 1997).
Recent Mozo research also showed that 87% of Aussies are fearful of how the times ahead will impact them financially.
“The Coronavirus pandemic has and will hit many Aussie homes economically, and Mozo’s latest research proves that the majority of us are worried about what’s to come,” Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont said.
“Since the RBA’s emergency rate cut last week, lenders have been slashing fixed interest rates - so in this unstable financial environment, locking in a low fixed home loan rate could be a smart move for mortgage customers.”
So what difference has the RBA cut made to fixed home loan rates?
After the first cut on 3 March 2020, 19 home loan lenders in the Mozo database dropped their fixed rate offerings.
Then, after the second emergency rate cut on 19 March 2020, 18 providers slashed rates, some of which were the same providers who responded to the first cut, making it the second time for them this month.
And notably, all four of the big banks: ANZ, CommBank, NAB and Westpac, made changes to fixed home loans after the most recent rate cut.
“While it’s true that variable rates are at an all time low, due to the turbulence of the current market, Aussie lenders could soon see higher funding costs which will then affect their customers,” Lamont said.
“So locking in a fixed rate now, may help alleviate the stress if variable rates were to hike back up.”
According to the Mozo database, the lowest fixed rate is offered by ING - at 2.09% on its 2 year fixed term and 2.14% on its 3 year fixed term, while the lowest variable rate sits at 2.44%.
It’s important to remember, however, reversion rates on fixed home loans tend to be significantly higher than the fixed rate and some standard variable rates.
RELATED ARTICLE: Experts urge Aussies to opt for fixed home loan rates, following emergency RBA cut
Want to check out some fixed home loan options? Check out the table below or jump over to our fixed home loan comparison tool for even more providers.
Fixed home loan comparisons on Mozo
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <95%
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.69
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.28
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,899
Get the security of a competitive fixed rate home loan for 2 years with IMB. Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply). Up to 12 months repayments in advance without penalties. Free Internet and Mobile Banking redraws (T&Cs apply). Up to a 30 year loan term. Split loan available. No offset account.
- interest rate
-
1 year - 6.19% p.a. (6.45% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.69% p.a. (6.34% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.69% p.a. (6.28% p.a.*)
4 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.30% p.a.*)
5 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.27% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
6.34% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$799
- Ongoing fees
-
$6.00 monthly
- Discharge Fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
95.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$5,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Fixed
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
$2,899
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to 1 year in advance
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$500.00
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
Monthly fee only applies to fixed period of loan.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
$4,000 cashback for loans $750,000 and above with a maximum LVR of 80%, settled within 90 days of application for refinancers or 180 for purchase loans. $3,000 for loans between $500k and $749k, $2,000 for loans between $250k and $499k.
Read reviews and learn more about IMB Bank home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Rate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.81
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,915
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.
- interest rate
-
1 year - 6.14% p.a. (7.13% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.74% p.a. (6.94% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.74% p.a. (6.81% p.a.*)
4 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.75% p.a.*)
5 years - 5.99% p.a. (6.69% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
7.24% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$160
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$160.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$20,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
-
- type of mortgage
-
Fixed
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
$2,915
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to to lesser of 5% of original fixed loan amount, or $5,000 each year
- Redraw facility
-
no
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
-
Optional - $10 per month - 1 year fixed term only
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
No monthly fee after end of fixed rate term. Lock your fixed rate for 90 days for a fee of $750 per $1m in lending (or part thereof).
- Special Offers
-
$3,000 cashback for eligible First Home Buyers borrowing $250k+, $2,000 cashback when you refinance loans of $250k+, <80% LVR, settle within 180 days for first home buyers, 120 days for refinances. Excludes refinances from ANZ, ANZ Plus and Suncorp.
Read reviews and learn more about ANZ home loans
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Your selected home loans
* 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.