Top 5 resolutions for property success in 2018

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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

    2.48% p.a. variable

    2.50% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Smart Home Loan 80

    A low-rate home loan that could save you thousands, with no ongoing fees plus unlimited extra repayments and free redraws. Mozo Experts Choice Low Cost Home Loan 2020.^ You'll need to be borrowing $1 million or less and have at least a 20% deposit required.

    • 2.48% p.a. variable

    • 2.50% p.a.

    • $520

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • Optional - with 0.10% additional interest

    • $520

    • 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 80

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  • Promoted

    HSBC

    2.09% p.a.
    fixed 2 years

    2.98% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
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    Fixed Rate Home Loan

    Have the security of a fixed rate for 2 years with the option to split with one of the HSBC variable Home Loans. No ongoing monthly service fees or annual fees. Mozo Experts Choice Fixed Home Loan 2020^

    • 2.09% p.a.
      fixed 2 years

    • 2.98% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $300.00

    • yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.

    • no

    • no

    • $0

    • 80.00%

    • $50,000

    • $7,500,000

    • Fixed

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Rate Home Loan

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  • Promoted

    Athena

    2.34% p.a. variable

    2.34% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Celebrate Variable Home Loan

    Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 40% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^

    • 2.34% p.a. variable

    • 2.34% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • $0

    • 60.00%

    • $100,000

    • $2,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Macquarie

    2.54% p.a. variable

    2.81% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Offset Home Loan Package

    Handy offset account to help pay your home loan off sooner. Up to 10 offset accounts per loan account available. Fee free access at ATMs. Waived credit card annual fee. $0 international purchase fees.

    • 2.54% p.a. variable

    • 2.81% p.a.

    • $0

    • $248.00 yearly

    • $400.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • yes

    • $0

    • 70.00%

    • $150,000

    • $5,000,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Monthly

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

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    UBank

    2.49% p.a. variable

    2.49% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    UHomeLoan - Discount Offer

    Enjoy a super low rate, $0 fees and easy application with the Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year.^ Free redraw with flexible repayments. Min 20% deposit.

    • 2.49% p.a. variable

    • 2.49% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $0.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • $0

    • 80.00%

    • $100,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

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

    Go to site

  • Promoted

    Hot Deal Up to $1,500 cash back on refinances (T&Cs apply)

    Homestar

    2.29% p.a. variable

    2.32% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Star Essentials Home Loan

    Low Cost Home Loan 2020 winner.^ A home loan packed with all the essentials and offering up to $1500 cashback and no ongoing fees. No Construction loans.

    • 2.29% p.a. variable

    • 2.32% p.a.

    • $515

    • $0.00

    • $535.00

    • yes - free

    • yes - free

    • no

    • $515

    • 80.00%

    • $150,000

    • $850,000

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    • Refinances receive up to $1,500 cashback or upfront fees waived on purchases for applications received by 31 October 2020 and settled by 31 January 2021.

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

  • Promoted

    Hot Deal $2,000 Refinance Cash Bonus (T&Cs apply)

    Suncorp

    2.68% p.a. variable

    2.69% p.a.

    $1234

    Product details Close details
    Go to site
    Back to Basics Special

    No monthly account keeping fee, no ongoing annual fee and no loan establishment fee on new lending of $150,000 or more. Get a $2,000 cash bonus when you refinance with an eligible Suncorp Bank Home Loan of $250k+. T&Cs & eligibility criteria apply.

    • 2.68% p.a. variable

    • 2.69% p.a.

    • $0

    • $0.00

    • $350.00

    • Yes - free

    • first redraw per month free

    • no

    • $0

    • 80.00%

    • $150,000

    • -

    • Variable

    • Principal & Interest

    • Owner Occupier

    • Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly

    • Refinance from another lender to receive a $2,000 cash bonus for loans of at least $250,000 or $3,000 bonus for loans over $750,000. Available for loans with an LVR <90% and applications made by 18 December 2020 and settled by 26 March 2021.

    Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Back to Basics Special

    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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