Top 5 resolutions for property success in 2018

Tom Watson

22 Dec 2017

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Each new year brings with it new goals and aspirations, but when it actually comes to thinking about resolutions for 2018 where should you begin?

For many Australians property will be their most valuable asset and financial commitment, which means reviewing your home loan and property goals is a great place to start.

So whether you're looking to buy your first home, your fifth, or you just want to add value to the property you already have, these are five resolutions you’ll want to keep.

1. Keep on top of the market

To give yourself the best chance for success in 2018 you’ll need to do your research. Whether that’s the likelihood of an RBA rate change if you’re an owner-occupier, the property hotspots to keep an eye on if you’re looking to invest, or the changes to government grants and schemes for first home buyers, keeping up to date with the latest developments is key.

2. Reassess and refinance

Is your home loan rate still competitive? When was the last time you checked? Mortgage rates are even lower now than they were 12 months ago, so now is the ideal time to compare options and snare a red hot rate. The lower your rate, the faster you’ll be able to pay down your loan and build equity in your property. Mozo calculations suggest that the average borrower* could be saving up to $2,039 each year by switching to the most competitive loan on the market.

Here are some some of the lowest rates on the market right now to help you get started.

Low Rate Home Loans 2018 - rates updated daily

  • Promoted

    loans.com.au

    2.88% p.a. variable

    2.90% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    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.

    • 2.88% p.a. variable

    • 2.90% 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

    2.84% p.a. variableApply now to get this rate from 29 Oct

    2.84% p.a.Apply now to get this rate from 29 Oct

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    UHomeLoan - Discount Offer

    Rate drop to a super low 2.84% p.a. variable effective on 29/10/2019. Current rate from 3.09% p.a. variable. Free redraw with flexible repayments. Min 20% deposit. Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2019 in the Low Cost Home Loan category^.

    • 2.84% p.a. variableApply now to get this rate from 29 Oct

    • 2.84% p.a.Apply now to get this rate from 29 Oct

    • $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

    2.84% p.a. variable

    2.80% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Variable Home Loan

    Get the rate cut you deserve from one of Australia's newest direct lenders. For the third time this year the full cut has been passed on to all customers. The same low rates for new and existing customers. No fees and fee-free redraw. Refinance only. Min 20% deposit.

    • 2.84% p.a. variable

    • 2.80% 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

    HSBC

    3.02% p.a. variableApply now to get this rate from 21 Oct

    3.04% p.a.Apply now to get this rate from 21 Oct

    $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.^

    • 3.02% p.a. variableApply now to get this rate from 21 Oct

    • 3.04% p.a.Apply now to get this rate from 21 Oct

    • $150

    • $0.00

    • $300.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free online

    • no

    • 80.00%

    • $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

  • Promoted

    ME

    3.34% p.a. variable

    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. variable

    • 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

    Newcastle Permanent

    3.32% p.a. variable

    3.36% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Special Real Deal Home Loan

    Free extra repayments. No application or service fees. Only 10% deposit needed. Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2019 for the First Home Buyer Loan and Investor Home Loan categories.^

    • 3.32% p.a. variable

    • 3.36% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - fees apply

    • yes - partial only

    • 90.00%

    • $150,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Special Real Deal Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Well Home Loans

    2.82% p.a. variable

    2.86% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Well Balanced

    Well Balanced home loan is a low rate home loan with free online redraw and no valuation fee. Purchase, Refinance or Equity Release purposes allowed. Best New Home Loan in Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2019.^

    • 2.82% p.a. variable

    • 2.86% p.a.

    • $785

    • $0.00

    • $300.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • Optional - $10 per month

    • 80.00%

    • $200,000

    • $2,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Well Balanced

    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.

3. Invest in your own home

You don’t have to become an investor to make great investment decisions. One savvy option for owners looking to increase the value of their own property in 2018 is to build a granny flat which could provide some extra rental income, or simply add anywhere between $100,000 to $200,000 to the value of your property. Consider other ways you can cost-effectively increase the value of your property, for instance by adding a carport or extra bedroom.

4. Make the most of your home’s equity  

Given the exponential rise in the value of property in recent years, you could be sitting on a potential investment gold mine. So why not use your home's equity in 2018 by starting a line of credit with your bank which you could use for anything from making renovations to improve the value of your existing home, to funding a deposit for your first investment property.

5. Supercharge your first deposit

If you’re looking at buying your first home, 2018 could certainly be a great opportunity for you to get into the market. To give yourself the best opportunity, fast track your way to a 20% deposit (which will help you avoid paying lenders mortgage insurance) by sitting down to reassess your budget and find ways to cut out any luxuries or expenses you can live without.

* Calculation based on an owner occupier borrower making principal & interest repayments on a typical $300,000 home loan over 30 years.

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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