The magic home loan number you need to know

Kelly Emmerton

14 May 2018

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We talk a lot about how important it is to find a great home loan deal, but do you really know what that means?

New research from the home loan comparison experts at Mozo reveals that 3.70% is the new benchmark for home loan rates, so if your rate is higher than this, you could be paying too much interest.

Despite the fact that half the lenders in the Mozo database currently offer an owner occupier rate at or below the magic number, many Aussies are still paying too much on their mortgage, with the average rate sitting at a steep 4.35%.

“By being on the lookout for more competitive rates under the 3.70% benchmark, borrowers have the potential to save thousands of dollars a year on their home loan,” says Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont.

Snag a low rate home loan today - rates updated daily

  • Promoted

    loans.com.au

    3.03% p.a.

    3.05% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Smart Home Loan

    A low-rate home loan that could save you thousands. No application or ongoing fees. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraws with no minimum redraw amount, Limited time only.

    • 3.03% p.a.

    • 3.05% p.a.

    • $520

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $50,000

    • $1,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    UBank

    3.09% p.a.

    3.09% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    UHomeLoan - Discount Offer

    One of Australia's leading digital banks. Easy & fast to apply. Free redraw with flexible repayments. Min. 20% deposit required. Low rate and no bank fees (on variable loans). Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2019 in the Low Cost Home Loan category.^

    • 3.09% p.a.

    • 3.09% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $200,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan - Discount Offer

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Athena

    3.09% p.a.

    3.05% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    Variable Home Loan

    Low rates, no fees, and automatic rate match. New-comer Athena wants you to love them and leave them. Refinance only. Minimum 20% deposit.

    • 3.09% p.a.

    • 3.05% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 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

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    ANZ

    3.38% p.a.

    3.42% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Simplicity PLUS Special Offer LVR <80%

    Competitive low rate. No upfront or monthly fees. Flexibility to make extra repayments and redraw. Minimum 20% deposit required.

    • 3.38% p.a.

    • 3.42% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $160.00

    • yes - free

    • yes

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $50,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Simplicity PLUS Special Offer LVR <80%

    Go to site

  • Featured Product

    ME

    3.34% p.a.

    3.78% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Flexible Home Loan Member Package

    A flexible Home Loan with Member Package for Owner Occupiers including a low rate, redraw and offset. Annual fee $395.

    • 3.34% p.a.

    • 3.78% p.a.

    • $200

    • $395.00 yearly

    • $350.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • yes

    • 80.00%

    • $400,000

    • $699,999

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Flexible Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Homestar

    2.99% p.a.

    3.02% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    Star Essentials Home Loan

    One of the lowest home loan rate in town packed with essential features. No application or ongoing fees. Unlimited additional repayments with free online redraws. Min. loan size $150k, no construction loan.

    • 2.99% p.a.

    • 3.02% p.a.

    • $596

    • $0.00

    • $535.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $150,000

    • $850,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Star Essentials Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    HSBC

    3.17% p.a.

    3.19% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Discounted Home Value Loan

    Unlimited free extra repayments and no ongoing service fees when you apply by 30 November 2019 (T&C’s apply). Get help with the application process with an HSBC relationship manager. Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2019 in the Low Cost Home Loan category.^

    • 3.17% p.a.

    • 3.19% p.a.

    • $150

    • $0.00

    • $300.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free online

    • no

    • 90.00%

    • $50,000

    • $7,500,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Discounted Home Value Loan

    Go to site

*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 the amount and term you entered.

**Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate, and a loan of $500,000 repaid over 25 years. 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.

Crunching the numbers

On a $300,000 home loan over 30 years, the difference between the cost of the average home loan rate and the lowest in the Mozo database is $59,276 - a considerable chunk of change for a household to save*.

“There’s potentially tens of thousands of dollars in savings up for grabs for those who take the time to shop around and find a great deal,” said Lamont.


Tips for choosing a bargain home loan rate

  • Check the comparison rate. One really handy tool when trying to decide what the best value loan for you is, is the comparison rate. This rate takes into account both the interest and guaranteed fees on a loan, to give you a more accurate idea of the ‘true’ cost of a loan and help you compare your options on even footing.

  • Decide what you really need. Many home loans come with a bunch of handy features like free extra repayments and offset accounts which can save you a tonne of money on interest. The downside is that full feature home loans often have more fees or higher interest rates attached. So it’s worth working out exactly what features you’ll use and look for a home loan to suit, so you’re not paying for extras you don’t use.

  • Compare your options. An easy way to compare a heap of home loans from a wide array of lenders is to use our home loan comparison table. Or, if you’re refinancing, take our Switch and Save calculator for a whirl to find out how much a better deal could save you.

*Based on a $300,000 loan over 30 years, 80% LVR, principal and interest repayments. Lowest rate in the Mozo database is 3.49% from Reduce Home Loans.

Mozo may receive advertising fees from the financial institutions, issuers of financial or credit products and third party advice providers that are shown on this page. These fees are based on a cost per click, cost per acquisition, or a fixed fee.

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