In recent years, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has cut interest rates to historic lows. The 2016 interest rate was 1.50 percent. June 2019 saw the interest rate decrease to 1.25 percent. This October, interest rates were decreased to 0.75 percent. Changes to current rates represent the first time in history that Australia’s interest rate fell below one percent. Economic factors that may have motivated such cuts to the interest rate include employment levels and inflation targets. Rate cuts could encourage employment growth and keep the nation’s consumer price inflation between two and three percent. Such rate cuts can benefit Australian homeowners, as lower interest rates can lead to lower mortgage repayments per month.
Some banks in Australia have yet to implement interest rate cuts. Homeowners who bank with financial institutions that don’t have lower interest rates have the option of refinancing their mortgage to get a better deal on their home loans.
To refinance a home mortgage is to switch from one home loan to another. Homeowners can save money by switching from their current mortgage to a new loan with lower interest rates. Mortgage refinances can eliminate private mortgage insurance premiums (PMI), giving homeowners extra money to save. People who consider refinancing their mortgage should make sure they know all the features of their current loan. They should know the cost of their existing home loan and if the loan has a fixed interest rate or variable rate.
To learn how much it costs to refinance a mortgage, homeowners can visit Savings, savings.com.au. This website explains to homeowners some factors that influence the costs of refinancing a mortgage and provides borrowers with information that can help them choose a lender and the refinancing they wish to do. Borrowers seeking information will learn that how much money they save by refinancing their mortgage depends on their mortgage size, home loan term length, how alternative loan options and interest rates differ from their existing loans and payments, and other factors.
Homeowners who wish to refinance their mortgages should consider the initial costs of making such a move. Refinancing a mortgage with their current lender, an internal refinance, could save homeowners some money. They wouldn’t be responsible for paying an exit fee to end a loan, nor would they incur an application fee for a new loan. Homeowners who move their mortgage to a different lender, an external refinance, could incur some of these upfront costs. Such costs vary from one lender to another.
Borrowers should weigh the pros and cons of refinancing a mortgage. The choice to make an internal or external refinance should depend on their financial situation and which option saves them money. Using information from Savings and lenders’ websites, homeowners can compare their current loans and interest rates to other loan options to make refinances that suit their financial needs.
The surplus money that homeowners free up by refinancing their mortgage and accessing lower interest rates can cover many household expenses. Homeowners can put the money toward the homes they have invested in, by making enhancements, such as buying new furniture and redecorating rooms, having rooms repainted, and getting doors and windows replaced when necessary. For high-quality door replacement services, homeowners need to consult professionals, such as New Jersey Siding & Windows. This company is reliable for replacing old and damaged doors and for providing style upgrades that suit homeowners’ tastes. Refinances allow people to afford renovations, such as having rooms added to houses, or a move to a new house. After refinancing a mortgage, people can live comfortably in their homes at a lower cost.