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Rates last updated June 23rd, 2017.
Jodie
Aussie can save you time and effort by helping you research, organise and apply for your home loan. They compare thousands of home loans to help find the right deal for you. Fill out the form on the left and an Aussie Mortgage Broker will meet you at a time of your choosing to discuss your needs and help you find the right home loan.
Home Loan Offer
loans.com.au Essentials - Variable (Owner Occupier, P&I)
variable rate
comparison rate
Home Loan Offer
With the loans.com.au Essentials Variable Home Loan enjoy a home loan with no application or ongoing fees as well as a competitive interest rate. Borrow up to 80% of the property's value. For owner occupiers and principal and interest repayments only.
- Interest rate of 3.64% p.a.
- Comparison rate of 3.66% p.a.
- Application fee of $0
- Maximum LVR: 80%
- Minimum borrowing: $50,000
- Max borrowing: $1,000,000
Quick home loan comparison
| Home Loan | Interest rate (p.a.) | Comparison rate (p.a.) |
|---|---|---|
| loans.com.au Essentials - Variable (Owner Occupier, P&I) | 3.64% | 3.66% |
| Greater Bank Ultimate Home Loan - Discounted 1 Year Fixed LVR ≤85% ($150K+ Owner Occupier) | 3.59% | 4.48% |
| NAB Choice Package Home Loan - 2 Year Fixed (Owner Occupier) First Home Buyer Special | 3.69% | 4.92% |
| Newcastle Permanent Building Society Fixed Rate Home Loan - 2 Year Fixed (Owner Occupier Special Rate, P&I) | 3.84% | 4.86% |
Welcome to the home loans guide
The latest home loan and property market news for today
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How do home loans work?
A home loan is an arrangement where you borrow money from a lender to buy a property, whether as a home or investment. It usually lasts for between 25 - 30 years.
In exchange for allowing you to borrow this money, your lender will charge you interest. This can be either fixed at a certain rate, or variable.
You'll usually pay your loan off in instalments known as repayments. These are usually required every week, fortnight or month.
A home loan is also known as a mortgage or as home finance.
Read our guide about how home loans work
How much does it cost?
The total cost of a loan depends on how much you borrow, as well as the interest rate and any fees you need to pay.
Home loans also come with fees charged at three different stages:
1. Upfront fees
- Application fees. This fee pays for your lender to process and finalise your application. This can also be called an establishment fee.
- Settlement fees. This is charged to cover costs when transferring your funds to you.
- Valuation fees. Your lender will organise an independent valuation to make sure the sale price is reasonable.
- Legal fees. A legal professional will need to look over your application to make sure it's compliant.
- Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). Lenders need borrowers to have at least 20% of the price of the property as a deposit. Some loans need as little as 5% deposit, but will come with LMI fees. LMI is an upfront fee charged to cover your lender in the event that you default on your home loan.
- Stamp duty. Don't forget that when buying a property you should factor in how much stamp duty costs. You'll usually have to pay this tax as an upfront fee within 30 days of settlement. Stamp duty is calculated differently depending on what state you live in.
2. Ongoing fees
- Repayments. The biggest cost of a home loan is in the regular repayments you have to make on it. Your repayment amount is set by your lender and takes into account the interest rate, how often you'll be repaying and the length of the loan.
- Annual fees. This is usually charged on package loans.
- Monthly fees. Some loans charge account keeping fees each month, which are usually below $20.
- Redraw fees. Some loans allow you to make extra repayments on it to pay it off earlier. A redraw facility allows you access these funds, but can come with a fee. Depending on the loan, it might be waived if you conduct your redraws online.
- Offset account fees. An offset account is a transaction or savings account linked to a home loan which can help you save money. This feature can also come with a monthly fee, although this is not common.
What's a comparison rate?
A comparison rate is an interest rate which includes many of the fees and charges you'll pay on your loan.
Comparison rates are calculated using the same example, regardless of how much you're borrowing. This example is a $150,000 loan taken out over 25 years. If your loan size or length is different to this, the comparison rate could be less accurate.
3. Exit fees
- Title discharge fees. You'll pay these fees when you close your loan and they cost between $150 and $700. They're different to early exit fees, which apply to loans entered into before 1 July 2011.
- Break costs. These are fees charged when you exit a fixed rate home loan during the fixed rate term. These fees are worked out based on multiple factors relating to your loan and the market.
Am I eligible for a loan if...
- I'm self-employed. Most lenders will offer loans to those who are self-employed. Lenders will usually want business bank statements, BAS and/or accountant's letters verifying your income.
- I have a low income. Yes, lenders will accept borrowers with low incomes. Loan approval will depend on the size of your deposit, the amount you're borrowing and whether your lender thinks you can afford it.
- I have impaired credit. Yes, speciality lenders do offer loans to credit impaired borrowers. These loans generally have higher interest rates than regular home loans. They can also have larger deposit requirements.
- I'm on a pension. Some lenders will see a pension as they would a regular salary. Some lenders may also set age limits on certain products and will require a good showing of your capacity to repay. Find out more in our guide on getting a loan if you're a pensioner.
- I'm a casual or seasonal worker. There are major and smaller lenders which will grant loans to casual workers. Lenders will want to see employment contracts as well as invoices for prior work.
- I have a temporary visa. Yes, but the amount you can borrow and the requirements may be stricter than for regular borrowers. You might also need approval for the purchase from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). Find out what you need to know when getting a loan on a temporary visa.
- I don't have a deposit, but have a home with equity in it. You might be able to use a line of credit loan to buy a home. A line of credit or home equity loan allows you to borrow money from a lender using the equity in your home as security.
- One of us is on maternity leave? Whether your lender approves your loan will depend on your income. They'll want to see you can still service the loan on the one income.
- If I've recently gotten a new job? Some lenders will only want to see borrowers at least out of probation. Others will want to see a borrower in the same job for at least six to 12 months.
- I'm on a single income with a child? This depends on your income, debts and liabilities.
Have a more complex situation? In most cases, it's a good idea to chat with a mortgage broker. They can save you the hassle of getting your application rejected.
They're usually free to you, as they earn a commission from the lender when you take out the loan.
Fill out the form above to speak to one.
What are the types of mortgages on offer?
You can boil down Australian mortgages into the following types:
Standard variable rates
These have an interest rate which changes over time. Your lender will decide on how often it changes and by how much depending on various economic factors.
Fixed rates
These are loans where you lock in an interest rate for some years (usually 1- 5). During the locked period your rate won't change at all.
Interest only
You don't have to pay off the principal with an interest only loan. This leaves you responsible for just the interest charges each month. In effect this makes the repayments much smaller on comparable loans. Interest only loans appeal to investors because of this, and the tax benefits they come with.
There is an added risk with this type of loan because you're not paying the actual loan amount down.
Find out more about how they work in our interest only comparison guide.
Introductory home loans
These loans have a lower interest rate for the first year or two. Once the intro period ends, the rate reverts to the lender’s standard variable rate. They can be useful for first home buyers due to the lower costs during the first years of home ownership.
Line of credit/ home equity loans
These allow you to access the equity you have built in your home through a chequebook or online banking. You can use this type of loan to buy an investment, renovate your home, buy a car and much more.
You may also consider this type of loan if you are building your home as it allows you to continually draw funds from the borrowed amount which is suitable when you are paying for different stages of construction.
SMSF home loans
A Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) can use this type of loan to borrow money to buy a property. They're limited recourse borrowing arrangements, are only able to be used to purchase investment properties and are suitable for more experienced investors. Read more about them in our guide on SMSF home loans and how they work.
What features can you get with a mortgage?
Extra repayments
Most loans today allow you to make additional repayments, which can help pay your loan off sooner.
Some loans limit the amount of extra repayments you can make each year. For example, some fixed rate home loans will have a limit of between $10,000 and $25,000 per year.
Extra repayments can be made regularly or as a lump sum payment.
Redraw facility
A redraw facility allows you to get access to the extra repayments you’ve made on your home loan, which is useful for emergencies or sudden expenses.
Redraw facilities are very common on home loans, and usually have no extra fees, although can have minimum redraw amounts.
Most home loans allow you to carry out redraws online.
Offset facility
An offset facility is a transaction account which is linked to your loan. Any money deposited into the account offsets interest on your home loan.
For example, imagine a loan of $100,000 which has an offset account with $10,000 in it. When interest is calculated on the loan, it’s only calculated on $90,000. This is because the $10,000 is subtracted from the loan amount for the purpose of calculating interest.
Offset accounts can come with monthly fees ranging between $5 - $20 per month.
There are two types of offset accounts:
- 100% offset accounts. Where the full amount in the account is used when offsetting the home loan balance.
- Partial offset accounts. Where only a portion e.g 70% of the balance of the account is used when offsetting the loan balance.
Repayment holiday
A repayment holiday is a period of time where you don’t have to make repayments on your home loan, which is useful for unexpected situations such as if you get sick or lose your job.
Some lenders only offer this option to borrowers who have made extra repayments.
Rate lock
A rate lock allows you to lock in an advertised rate so that in the time taken for your loan to be approved, it doesn’t change.
This is usually offered only on fixed rate loans.
Rate locks generally have a fee which can be either a dollar amount, or percentage of the loan amount, or both.
Portability
Portability allows you to take your loan with you if you sell your property. This means you can bring it to your new home without having to worry about signing up for a new loan, with this you can also avoid fees.
Split rate
This feature allows you to have both a fixed rate and variable rate on your loan. This means you can enjoy some of the benefits of a fixed rate, and some of the benefits of a variable rate. In many cases, a loan can be split more than once.
Some lenders don’t charge a fee for this, while others will charge a fee per split
What's pre-approval and do I need it?
Pre-approval means your lender will 'conditionally' approve you for a specific loan amount. They'll take into account your income, debts and liabilities when deciding this.
It's usually extended for a few months, allowing you to look for a property with a bit more confidence.
It's important to note that pre-approval conditions can differ depending on the lender. Read our expert explanation of pre-approval to find out what to look for.
How to prepare when applying for a home loan
- Is your credit file in order? Find out how to get a copy of your credit file and make sure there are no errors on it. If you have defaults or late repayments on your file, be able to explain them. Close any credit cards you're no longer using.
- Are you getting a joint loan? Think about how strong your relationship is with the other party. Changes to your relationship could make it hard if one party wishes to sell their part of the property.
- What are your plans for the property over the next few years? Match your loan to your future plans. For example, avoid taking out a fixed rate loan if you plan to sell the property shortly after buying it. Fixed rate loans have break costs which can be expensive.
- Are you eligible for the loan? Borrowers generally need to be over 18 years of age. There are other requirements too, but these depend on the lender. Some will want you to have a good credit rating. Others might not allow you to buy inner city apartments. Always read these before applying.
What paperwork do I need to give my lender when applying for a home loan?
Your lender will want to work out whether or not you can afford a loan, so will want to see a bit of information from you. This includes:
Personal details
This includes your full name, tax file number, driver's licence number or some other form of photo ID, phone number and address.
Employment details
Your lender wants to know about your job and how long you've been in your position and industry and may ask for the contact details of your HR department to confirm these details.
Financial details
Your lender will want to know how much you earn and spend. They'll want to see recent payslips, as well as details of your expenses and debts including other personal loans or credit cards.
Information about your property
The exact paperwork required will depend on the type of property you're buying. You'll need to tell your lender the property address, the type of property it is, the number of rooms it has and more.
What type of lender should I go with?
Lenders all have to abide by the same strict guidelines and laws. This makes choosing between the a bank, a not-for-profit credit union or an online or non-bank lender a matter of savings and personal preference.
Banks
A bank is an institution where you can deposit and withdraw funds. They also offer loans.
Banks have larger client bases than other lenders, so offer more products. These include longer fixed term lengths and loans for low doc borrowers.
Another benefit of using a bank is that they usually have branches for you to do your banking in person.
Not-for-profit credit unions
Unlike a bank, a credit union is owned by its members. This means profits earned go back into the union to improve products.
Credit unions generally won't have the large product ranges a bank does. Instead, they'll offer the most popular loans. In some cases they might also limit their products to workers in a specific industry, such as teachers or university employees.
Online or non-bank lenders
Online lenders often offer competitive rates and products. This is because they don't have to pay for the physical branches a regular lender has to. This has a downside, as you'll usually only be able to carry out your banking over the phone or online.
Many of these lenders are in fact brands of larger well known banks. UBank for example is an online brand of NAB, and loans.com.au is a Firstmac brand.
Find out more about how lenders differ from each other
Frequently asked questions about home loans
Will my credit report impact my application?
Your credit history will be important when your lender evaluates your application.
Lenders want borrowers who have good track records of paying back credit cards and loans. This can be a good sign that they'll pay back their loan.
Some lenders will auto-decline those with defaults. Others might give you a chance to explain them. Specialist lenders like Pepper, Bluestone Mortgages and Liberty consider borrowers with credit impairment issues. Be aware that they might raise the interest rate to accommodate the extra risk they're taking on.
Extra repayments vs offset accounts
Extra repayments made towards your loan go towards paying off your principal.
Putting money into an offset account reduces the amount of your loan that interest is charged on.
The differences between the two come into play later on once you want to withdraw your money.
Redraw facility
- Can access money using the redraw facility debit card
- Generally offered on basic and no frills loans
- Can have a minimum withdrawal amount and redraw fees
- Some loans might have limits on how many redraws you can do per year
- Some loans can limit the amount of extra repayments you can make each year, especially fixed rates
Offset account
- Can access your offset money through your linked debit card
- Usually no minimum withdrawal amounts or fees
- Can come with tax benefits in certain situations
- Are not always offered on no frills loans
Can I switch from a fixed rate to a variable rate or vice versa?
If you're switching from a fixed rate loan, be aware that you'll usually have to pay a break cost. This is because you'll be leaving your fixed term before it's completed.
If I make extra repayments, can I access that money?
You'll have to contact your lender to request the redraw, or in most cases, conduct the redraw online.
Am I eligible for the first home owners grant (FHOG) and what benefits does it come with?
You can read more about if it applies to you in our guide.
How long will my loan take to approve?
Some lenders like CBA even advertise that they will provide a decision in as little as 60 minutes.
Remember that the more complicated an application, the longer approval can take.
Why does my lender need a valuation of my property?
Where to from here?
You can start a home loan comparison or speak to a mortgage broker by viewing our table above. This shows interest rates, comparison rates, maximum LVRs, application fees and upfront fees. There's also a calculator at the top of the table which you can use to find out what your monthly repayments might be.
Images: Shutterstock
hi,
i was looking at the home loans
it states owner occupier
as i am a foreign investor, what types of loans should I look at
does it mean that we have to pay a higher interest?
thanks
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Yes, Last night’s Federal Budget contained measures aimed at easing housing affordability pressures and curbing foreign investment. New taxes on foreign investors are set to add more than $600 million to the budget over the next four years. Please check the guide on how budget 2017 will affect you.
You may also find these links useful.
https://www.finder.com.au/foreign-property-investors-hit-hard-in-budget
https://www.finder.com.au/new-foreign-investor-tax-could-drive-up-house-prices
thanks
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold
I am looking to buy addition investment and PPR. I am looking for comparative interest rates.
Can you please assist?
Thank you
Suzie
Hi Suzie,
Thanks for your question.
You may refer to this page to compare investment property home loans.
For owner-occupier, you may check this page.
On both pages, we have a home loan calculator on top of the comparison table that you can take advantage of to see which lender offers low monthly payment.
Alternatively, you may also get in touch with a mortgage broker to assist you in finding a suitable home loan option.
Cheers,
Anndy
Hi,
I am 65 and my wife is 51. We both have full time jobs.
We are hoping to purchase our first ever unit instead of paying rent as we do now. Would our ages be against us if we applied for a $700,000 loan? How much deposit would we need?
Thank you
Hi Terry,
Thanks for your question.
Please note that we are a financial comparison and information website. We can’t give advice for your specific situation.
In Australia, there are anti-discrimination legislations that prevent lenders from discriminating borrowers based on age. However, lenders would also like to make sure that you meet the general lending criteria and that you can comfortably afford to repay the loan without having financial difficulties. This is why the older you are, the more it might be difficult for you get a mortgage approval.
Also, the deposit that you need depends on the type of loan that you are getting.
For your home loan options, you may want to get in touch with mortgage broker and discuss your circumstances and borrowing needs.
Cheers,
Anndy
I run my own business and need a low doc loan
Thanks Trevor
Hi Trevor,
Thanks for getting in touch.
If you are looking for a low doc home loan, you can compare your options here.
You may also want to get in touch with a mortgage broker who will consider your personal situation in finding a range of home loan options.
Cheers,
Anndy
I am an aged pensioner and have my own property with a double garage and wish to improve it to liveable state.and need aloan to do so It is in a small country community which is going ahead. What are the chances of finance?
Hi Brian,
Thanks for the question, finder.com.au are a comparison website and we can only offer you general advice.
Your chance of receiving a loan will depend on a range of factors, including your income, assets and debts. One option might be to contact a mortgage broker and see what lenders or loans they suggest might result in your application being approved.
I hope this helps,
Marc.
Iam living in a town house and have rented my two rooms privately and getting rent of $200 weekly from each room. Can I include this income as a genuine savings, If yes, how to prove this.
Hi Binod,
Thanks for the question, finder.com.au are a comparison website and we can only offer you general advice..
The definition of ‘Genuine Savings’ changes depending on the lender, but the below is what the Commonwealth Bank define as genuine savings:
- A savings pattern established over at least 3 months
- Term Deposit held for at least 3 months
- Shares held for at least 3 months
- Gifts held in your account for at least 3 months
- Cash held in your account for at least 3 months
- Equity in an existing property
- Inheritance money held in your account for at least 3 months
If your rental income fits into one of the above categories than for this lender it would be counted as genuine savings. I would recommend contacting a lender you’re interested in applying with and seeing what their policy is regarding rental incomes.
I hope this helps,
Marc.
Hi. This website is great for comparing home loans but they are mostly not with the major banks.
Could you tell me if there is a website that deals mainly with the anz, nab, commonwealth etc similar to this one.
Thanks
Hi Lena,
Thanks for the feedback.
finder.com.au is an online comparison and general information service and in fact, we do compare a wide range of products offered by many reputable Australian lenders including the ‘Big 4’ and specifically ANZ, NAB and the Commonwealth Bank, as you’ve mentioned.
You might be interested to compare competitive products by these lenders using the hyperlinks provided above.
Thanks,
Belinda
Do I put money in my super or pay my loan ?
When I sixty I can get some money out of my super and put it in my mortgage good idea or not ?
Hi Amy,
Thanks for your enquiry.
finder.com.au is an online comparison website so we cannot offer financial advice regarding your superannuation.
It would be best that you speak directly with your super fund provider regarding the process of accessing your superannuation.
Thanks,
Belinda
Hi.
Do any banks offer a personal loan as the deposit and include this in the home loan repayments?
Hi Renee,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.com.au. a financial comparison website and we can only offer you general advice.
Most lenders have a maximum percentage of the value of the home they will allow you to borrow, however, each lender has their own w structure of loans and how they lend money.
if you are looking to purchase or refinance it may be in your best interest to speak to a mortgage broker who can talk you through the lending process and also offer advice on your specific circumstances.
Regards
Jodie
Team,
Would you be able to calculate the savings on paying a home loan daily VS weekly? How many years will this reduce is loan by?
Loan amount of = $307000
Monthly payment principal and interest = $2475
Daily repayments = $108.76
Hi Kano,
Thanks for your question, finder.com.au are a comparison website and we can only offer you general advice.
Unfortunately we don’t have any daily repayment calculators at our disposal. You’ll find that lenders offer weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments.
If you’d like, you can see a range of home loan calculators available on this page to help you plan your mortgage.
Cheers,
Shirley