‘Tis the season - for first home buyer mortgage rate cuts

Kelly Emmerton

14 Nov 2017

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As the spring property season draws to a close, lenders are slashing interest rates on owner occupier home loans in preparation for a flood of first home buyer activity, Mozo data has shown.

Since the start of October, no less than thirty lenders from Mozo’s database have lowered variable rates on at least one of their home loan products. And according to Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont, the recent rate reductions come just at the right time for first home buyers.

Factors such as cooling house prices in key markets and stamp duty exemptions in Victoria and New South Wales have opened the door for young property hopefuls recently. APRA’s moves to tighten lending standards this year have also meant investors are treading a little more carefully - leaving some much-needed elbow room for first home buyers looking to break into what has been a red hot market.

“The end of the spring property season has brought with it some more welcoming conditions for first home buyers and lenders are clearly ready to entice these borrowers in with rock bottom home loan rates,” said Lamont.

The average cut for an owner occupier borrower making principal and interest repayments was 15 basis points, but one lender cut its rates by more than five times that amount. There are now 70 lenders in Mozo’s database offering up rates under 4.00%, with the lowest rate in market now a seriously competitive 3.39%.

“These days, lenders really want to have a headline variable rate with a ‘3’ out in front in order to attract money-savvy borrowers,” said Lamont.

Low rate variable home loans - rates updated daily

  • Promoted

    UBank

    3.34% p.a.

    3.34% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    UHomeLoan - Discount Offer

    Enjoy a low rate & no bank fees (on variable loans) from one of Australia's leading digital banks. Easy & fast to apply, you'll get free redraw with flexible repayments. Min. 20% deposit required. Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2019 in the Low Cost Home Loan category.

    • 3.34% p.a.

    • 3.34% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $200,000

    • $699,999

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

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

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Bank of Queensland

    3.54% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 4.01% p.a.

    4.06% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    2 Year Intro Rate Variable Home Loan

    Choose weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments to align with your pay cycle or budget needs. Make additional repayments anytime to reduce the interest on your loan and pay your loan off sooner. Available for construction loans.

    • 3.54% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 4.01% p.a.

    • 4.06% p.a.

    • $150

    • $10.00 monthly

    • $320.00

    • yes - free

    • yes

    • yes

    • 90.00%

    • $150,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the 2 Year Intro Rate Variable Home Loan

  • Promoted

    HSBC

    3.47% p.a.

    3.48% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Discounted Home Value Loan

    As of 22nd July HSBC will be reducing this rate to 3.27% p.a.* (3.28% p.a. comparison rate^) so enquire now and be one of the first to make the most of this great rate. Enjoy unlimited free extra repayments and no ongoing service fees when you apply by 31 July (t&cs 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.^

    • 3.47% p.a.

    • 3.48% 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

  • Featured Product

    Athena

    3.09% p.a.

    3.05% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Variable Home Loan

    With 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

    IMB Bank

    3.54% p.a.

    3.57% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Budget Home Loan

    Start with only 10% minimum deposit. Unrestricted additional repayments and free redraw facility.

    • 3.54% p.a.

    • 3.57% p.a.

    • $350

    • $0.00

    • $350.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • 90.00%

    • $75,000

    • $5,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

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

*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.

Tips for choosing a low rate home loan

  • Use the comparison rate. When you go to compare a list of home loans to work out which one will cost you less, it’s important to take into account all the costs. Looking at the comparison rate is the easiest way to do this. This rate takes into account the interest rate and any set fees you’ll pay, to give you a better idea of the “true” cost of the loan.

  • Don’t get tied up in the features. While features like an offset account or redraw facility might be handy and could even save you money, if you don't actually use them, then they aren’t worth having. Full feature home loans often come with higher rates - so if you won’t use the features you’re usually better off opting for a basic option with a lower rate and fees.

  • Shop around before signing. There are a tonne of home loan options out there, and finding the right fit for your needs is key. So before you sign on the dotted line - in fact, before you even apply - make sure you compare home loans and find an option that suits you down to the ground.

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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