With a home loan it’s a little too easy to ‘set and forget’, but because it’s easy doesn’t mean that it’s smart … We’re living in a world of rapid change, interest rates can move, new lenders emerge, and more competitive products become available which means keeping the same home loan for 30 years could cost you more money than it should! In this Homeowner’s Guide To Refinancing, we discuss the process and the reasons why refinancing your home loan is a good idea, but before we get into that, let us clear up a few common questions about refinancing.
WHY should you consider refinancing?
Generally speaking, there are four main reasons to consider refinancing.
- Your loan is a few years old, as a result it may be less competitive, and you could potentially get a lower interest rate.
- Different home loan features and benefits could work better for you.
- Your financial situation may have changed (dependants or other reasons).
- You want to access some of the equity you’ve built up in your current home.
WHEN should you consider refinancing?
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to review your home loan every two to three years and considering we’re in the midst of a seriously low interest rate period, so there are many competitive home loan products available. Our access to a plethora of lenders means we can compare everything that’s out there to get you the most competitive rate.
WHO should you use to refinance?
You should always talk to a mortgage broker – our opinion is not biased towards any particular lender or product, unlike a bank which will push whatever loans they have to sell at the time. It’s also important to note here that we won’t suggest that you refinance if it isn’t the right move for you.
WHAT is the process to refinance?
We’ve explained the when, who and what of refinancing, but what’s the actual process involved? Here’s a simple step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Speak to us
Before we begin exploring your loan options, it’s important for us to have a sound understanding of where you’re at financially and what you’d like to achieve. We’ll start by reviewing your current home loan and compare it with others in the market. We’ll be here to help you decide if it’s the right time to refinance your home loan and what features will work best for you.
Step 2: Choose your mortgage and apply
You may opt to stay with your current lender by negotiating for a better rate or changing to an alternative product; or refinance by switching to another lender offering a better rate or loan features to suit your current circumstances. We’re here to help you find the right home loan to fit your personal goals and objectives. Then we’ll help you prepare and submit your application.
Step 3: Get your valuation
Your new home loan provider will require a valuation on your property as part of the application process. Keep in mind that their valuation might be more conservative than the market value you estimate, but we can be a sounding board during this part of the process to answer any concerns you may have.
Step 4: Get approved
Within a few days of submitting your application, it’s likely your inbox will light up with that delightful email confirming you’ve been approved for your new home loan. Yay! This is the bit where we get to share the excitement with you.
Step 5: Your old mortgage will be closed
We will then arrange for you to complete a ‘discharge authority’ form. Your current lender will then provide a payout figure. Your new lender will fund your loan to pay out your current loan provider. If you’re refinancing to consolidate other debts, for example, credit cards or personal loans, these will be finalised with the proceeds of your new loan at the same time.
Step 6: You start afresh!
Once you have your new home loan in place, you will begin making repayments. If you need any help managing your new home loan, we are always here to lend a hand or an ear to help you plan ahead.
We hope you found our Homeowner’s Guide to Refinancing handy, and we would love to help you decide whether refinancing is the right step for you. Whether you are looking to refinance for a better interest rate, to access equity, consolidate debt or for a property investment to build wealth for your future, we’re here to help you to achieve your goals. Speak with our finance specialists today, simply call 1300 469 840 or email us and we’ll get you good to go!
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