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Refinancing

Home loans are like any product in the market. Lenders are always competing for your business. This creates a beneficial environment for you as the consumer. As mortgage brokers in Sydney, we enjoy helping our clients on their refinancing journey. Let us have a look and see if we can find you a better deal among our wide panel of lenders.

FAQ

Here are some common questions we’ve answered below. Contact us today to discuss your scenario!

What is refinancing?

Refinancing is the process of taking your loan from one lender to another.

Why should I refinance?

Consumers choose to refinance for many reasons. Some include obtaining better interest rates, cashing out equity or consolidating debts. Contact us today to see if we can help you!

How long does refinancing take?

Each lenders application timeframes varies depending on many factors. We will consider your time for refinancing when you engage us. Some of our lenders are able to meet tight timeframes if necessary. Contact us today to see if we can help you!

Are there any costs associated with refinancing?

Yes, however, the amount will vary depending on your situation. You may have discharge fees from your current lender, application fees from the lender you are moving to and registration fees from the Land Titles Office.

What is the process?

You will find our Cavpex Process here.

How much can I borrow?

Each bank has their own policies when it comes to how much they will lend. Generally speaking, the key factors below influence how much you can borrow:

  • Your Income
  • Your Liabilities (For example, Credit Cards and Personal Loans)
  • Whether you have any dependents
  • The type and structure of your loan (For example your loan term)
  • The LVR (Loan to Value Ratio). If the value of your loan reflects 80% of your property market value, then your LVR is 80%.

Can I improve my borrowing power?

Yes! There are many strategies. For example, increasing your income or reducing your liabilities. Your borrowing power is also influenced by your loan term. A 30-year loan term enables a higher borrowing power compared to a 20-year loan term.

When is the right time to engage a Mortgage Broker?

When it comes to refinancing, it is best to find a mortgage broker first. As Sydney Mortgage Brokers, we do the shopping around for your loan. We filter through and find your options then sit down and present them to you.

What is the difference between a Fixed and Variable Interest Rate?

There is a bit to unpack here! Let’s tackle fixed interest rates first! Most lenders allow you to ‘Fix’ your interest rate for a 1 to 5 year term. This will provide you with peace of mind as you will know how much your repayments will be during the fixed term. You will also be protected from an increase in interest rates during the fixed term. On the flip side, if interest rates come down during your ‘Fixed’ term you will not benefit from the reduced rates. Some lenders products do not include an offset account and/or a redraw facility when adding a fixed term.

Variable interest rates can vary depending on the results of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) monthly monetary policy meetings. The RBA can increase or decrease the cash rate. Your lender decides whether to pass on this change to the variable interest rate of your loan. The downside here is that you do not have certainty with your repayments. The upside here is that most lenders can provide you with an offset and/or redraw facility with a variable interest rate home loan.

What is the difference between Principal & Interest and an Interest Only Loan/Repayment?

The principal of your home loan is the amount you have borrowed. The interest is the amount charged on the principal. So, Principal and Interest repayments cover both. Interest Only repayments only cover one, the interest. Each have their advantages and disadvantages so contact us to discuss further!

What is an Offset Account?

An offset account connects to your home loan account. Most lenders treat an offset account like a transaction account. Your principal balance reduces by the amount in an offset account when calculating interest. On the flip side, having an offset account may attract a higher interest rate.

What is a redraw facility?

A redraw facility allows you to access some or all of your extra repayments without fees. Extra repayments can help you pay your loan down faster. But like an offset account, they may attract higher interest rates.

What does it mean to package my loan?

With one annual package fee, some lenders will allow you to package your loan. Packaging can discount interest rates and reduce annual fees for other products. For example, credit cards and transaction accounts. This varies from lender to lender. Contact us today to see what options you have!

What does it mean to split my home loan?

When you split your home loan you divide it into parts. One part may have a fixed interest rate and the other a variable interest rate. The amount you portion to each is up to you.

What are some other factors I need to consider?

  • Registration Fees: these are fees charged by the Land Titles Office to register a mortgage.
  • Loan Application Fees: these are fees charged by lenders to setup a loan. These vary from lender to lender and product to product.
  • Building Insurance: this is an insurance policy that protects you and the lender. It covers the building if it is damaged or destroyed.

Are there any fees for paying off my home loan early?

Depending on the lender and product, you may or may not have to pay fees to pay off your loan early. This will form part of our discussion early on when we understand your needs and objectives. Contact us today to see what your options are!

What repayment options do I have?

Again, depending on the lender and product, you can make repayments weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.

What loan term can I set?

Most lenders will allow you to set a loan term of up to 30 years.

What is the difference between an advertised rate and a comparison rate?

This is an important one! An advertised rate will advise you of the interest rate on a home loan. A comparison rate will advise you of the interest rate with all the fees considered on the home loan. So, always look at the comparison rate to see the real cost of the loan!

What options do I have if I’m self-employed?

As a self-employed applicant, you generally have 3 options when applying for a home loan.

  • Full Doc: This is where you provide a complete set of documents to the lender to assess your loan application. This option will attract a lower interest rate.
  • Low Doc/No Doc: This is where you provide minimal documentation and use other means to support your application. For example, using an accountants letter. This option will attract a higher interest rate.
Contact us today to see what your options are!