‘Tis the season - for first home buyer mortgage rate cuts
Kelly Emmerton | 14 Nov 2017
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.
Variable rate home loan comparisons on Mozo - rates updated daily
- loans.com.au
Essentials Variable 80
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
3.64% p.a.
3.66% p.a.
A low-rate home loan that could save you thousands. No monthly or ongoing fees. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraws with no minimum redraw amount
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3.64% p.a.
-
3.66% p.a.
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$520
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
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no
-
80.00%
-
$50,000
-
$2,000,000
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Variable
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
Details Close
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- UBank
UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
3.59% p.a.
3.59% p.a.
A low rate Home Loan with no bank fees on variable rate loans. Easy & fast to apply. Choose between flexible repayments and make extra repayments for free on a variable rate home loan.
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3.59% p.a.
-
3.59% p.a.
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$0
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
-
yes - free
-
yes
-
no
-
80.00%
-
$200,000
-
$699,999
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Variable
-
Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
Details Close
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- Aussie
Select Basic Variable
LVR<80%, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
3.69% p.a.
3.70% p.a.
A competitive rate with no ongoing fees. Reduce interest by making additional payments.
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3.69% p.a.
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3.70% p.a.
-
$330
-
$0.00
-
$535.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
-
no
-
80.00%
-
$100,000
-
$5,000,000
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Fortnightly, Monthly
Details Close
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- Newcastle Permanent
Discounted Variable Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
3.82% p.a.
4.22% p.a.
Experts Choice - Australia's Best Customer-Owned Banking & Home Lender of the Year 2018
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3.82% p.a.
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4.22% p.a.
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$0
-
$395.00 yearly
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$0.00
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yes - free
-
yes - free
-
yes
-
95.00%
-
$150,000
-
-
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
Details Close
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- State Custodians
Low Rate Home Loan with Offset
LVR<80%, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
3.68% p.a.
3.71% p.a.
A Low Rate Home Loan with a $0 Application Fee, Free Redraws & Extra Repayments
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3.68% p.a.
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3.71% p.a.
-
$286
-
$0.00
-
$300.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
-
yes
-
80.00%
-
$100,000
-
$2,000,000
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
Details Close
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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.
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