Refinancing? Keep low LVR home loans on your radar

By Katherine O'Chee and Evlin DuBose
Last updated Friday, 16 June 2023 · 2 min read

Fact Checked

Collage of people stacking red equity blocks in towers.

Given that $19.3 billion worth of home loans were refinanced in April, it’s clear many Australian homeowners are jumping at the opportunity to switch to ultra-low rates and save on interest.

When shopping around, it pays for refinancers to remember they have one big advantage over first home buyers that could help them snag an even better deal: their loan-to-value ratio (LVR) – or the percentage of their property owed to the bank – tends to be lower.

That’s because refinancers would have naturally built up equity in their home over the years of paying down their mortgage, therefore owning a larger portion of their property. Not to mention, their property value may have also gone up due to a renovation or increased demand in the area.

Having a lower LVR could get you cheaper rates, which borrowers with a standard 20% deposit aren’t able to access. In fact, there’s been an interesting trend of lenders serving up their top rate discounts to customers with LVRs as low as 60%.

Take Athena’s AcceleRATES Variable Home Loan, for instance, which automatically rewards borrowers with better rates as they pay down their mortgage and enter lower LVR tiers.

Check out a few options for low LVR deals below.

70% LVR home loan deal

Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*

loans.com.au - Variable Home Loan 70

Interest rates from 5.85% p.a. (5.87% p.a. comparison rate*)
No monthly or ongoing fees
2023 Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Award winner in the "Low Cost Home Loan" category

Go to site

Online lender loans.com.au is offering a killer deal to owner occupiers borrowing up to $1 million with at least 30% in home equity. Variable rates start from 5.85% p.a. (5.87% p.a. comparison rate*), and there are no application or ongoing fees to worry about (though there are other upfront frees like a settlement charge). Plus, you get to make as many free extra repayments as you’d like, with the option to redraw those funds should you need to. An offset account is also available with an additional 0.10% interest.

Head to our hub page for more information on loans.com.au's 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Home Loans win.

60% LVR home loan deal

Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*

Macquarie - Basic Home Loan

Variable rates from 5.54% (5.56% comparison rate*)
No upfront or ongoing service fees
Macquarie won Australia's Best Bank at the 2022 Mozo Experts Choice Banking Awards

Find out more

Macquarie rewards its borrowers with a 60% LVR in more ways than one. On top of minimal fees and competitive variable rates from 5.54% (5.56% comparison rate*), you’ll also have access to features including free extra repayments and redraws and a split loan account (T&Cs apply). Plus, if you tack on a Macquarie transaction account, you could get discounts at 60 online shopping outlets through the Macquarie Marketplace (T&Cs).

Head over to our hub page for more information on Macquarie's 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Bank Awards win.

Looking for a home loan? Head on over to our refinance home loans comparison hub to shop around, or browse the table below.

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^* 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.

Katherine O'Chee

Money writer

Katherine O’Chee is Mozo’s international money transfer and forex expert and business banking writer. She keeps Mozo’s readers on top of the latest news and writes in-depth features to inform and help Australians make smarter financial decisions. Her work has been published in major media outlets including Sydney Morning Herald, SBS News and Bangkok Post. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) from the University of Sydney. She is also ASIC RG146 (Tier 2) certified for general advice.

Evlin DuBose

RG146

Senior Money Writer

Evlin, RG146 Generic Knowledge certified and a UTS Communications graduate, is a leading voice in finance news. As Mozo's go-to writer for RBA and interest rates, her work regularly features in Google's Top Stories and major publications like News.com.au.