One of the biggest concerns residents could face is the decision to switch to a home loan. If you’re a homeowner in Sydney, we have good news for you! Refinancing your home loan could be the key to unlocking financial benefits. This opportunity allows you to optimise your home investment and potentially save hundreds of dollars in financial costs. When approached wisely, the effort of a home loan refinancing will pay off and can work wonders.
In this post, we will explore the ins and outs of refinancing. From understanding the entire process, when to consider it, and how to secure the best deals available in Sydney. So, let’s start your journey towards a better home loan!
Benefits of Home Refinancing in Sydney
Understanding the benefits of home refinancing is key to making an informed decision about your financial future and investments.
- Savings. One significant benefit is savings. By refinancing your home loan, you can optimise it and save some money.
- Flexibility. Unlike the old days, lenders nowadays can present you with multiple options based on your unique needs. They have offset accounts, redraw facilities, and even debt consolidation.
- Simplicity. Forget about the lengthy paperwork. Advanced technology has made the process of refinancing easier and faster.
When Can You Refinance A Home Loan in Sydney?
The approval of your first home loan is probably one of the best things ever. But here’s what you should realise: sticking with your original lender does not have to be a lifelong commitment. Typically, after a year or two with your current lender, it’s time to revisit your choices.
The perfect time to assess if a financial tune-up is needed is during this period. Start by examining if the current home loan is still the best fit for you. Check if you can find reduced rates or reduced terms. Consider this: even the smallest reduction you can get on a home loan can have a notable impact on your budget.
Moreover, it’s also worth realising that refinancing your home loan goes beyond simply hunting for the lowest interest rates. Check out other options your lender can present to you.
Understanding The Cost
Before jumping into refinancing, it’s important to take a look at the numbers and assess if it will result in savings in the long term. Aside from new loan repayments, discharge fees from the original lender and upfront fees for your new home loan should be taken into account. In Sydney, the average cost of refinancing a home loan ranges from $75 to $2100, depending on various factors.
To make informed decisions, make sure to read all documentation related to refinancing from your current lender. On the other hand, you can also request a “Key Fact Sheet” from your new lender to gain a complete understanding of your new home loan details, including all kinds of fees associated with them.
Most importantly, for borrowers who have less than 20 percent equity in the property, refinancing does not exempt you from LMI, or Lender Mortgage Insurance. In some cases, lenders may waive these requirements for some specific professions.
The Timeline for Refinancing A Home Loan
You now have some idea about refinancing a home loan in Sydney, but how long does it take? The timeline of this process varies by financial institution or lender. Typically, it could go for a few days to six weeks or more. Oftentimes, being organised can speed up the process and ensure a swift review.
Also, remember one thing, avoid the common mistake of choosing a bank based only on the interest rates. Many applications have been rejected just because they did not fit the bank’s lending criteria, and you wouldn’t want the same thing to happen to you.
This is why seeking help from a lending specialist becomes an important part of making the right decisions for your home refinancing journey.
The Step-by-Step Process of Home Loan Refinance in Sydney
Refinancing can be done in these few simplified steps:
1. Educate Yourself
Set clear financial goals and understand the benefits of home refinancing. It’s important to decide what you really want to achieve before making the application.
2. Examine Your Financial Situation
Assess your current loan balance, interest rates, and equity in the property. You may also start to track your credit score. The numbers represent your reputation with lenders. The higher your score, the better.
3. Research and Compare
Compare your current home loan to other options on the market. If scouring the web seems like a lot of work, you can ask for the assistance of a mortgage broker or a lending specialist to help you make smart decisions.
4. Home Loan Application
Apply for a new home loan. It’s recommended to apply to multiple lenders and provide all necessary papers and valuations. That way, you have options to choose from.
5. Terminate your Current Home Loan
You can then exit your current mortgage, so once a new home loan is approved, your new lender can do the work for you. They can transfer documents and funds from the old one to the new one without delay.
Where can I find help from experts in Sydney?
Navigating the world of home loan refinancing can be really complicated. Hence, seeking help from mortgage or lending experts is a wise move, especially for those who are first-home buyers or who have past credit issues. The home loan brokers are professionals who act as middlemen between you and your banks, ensuring you select the best loan options that align with your goals.
When choosing a specialist, meet with a few to decide which matches you best. Importantly, ensure that this specialist holds an Australian Credit license or appropriate qualifications. It’s essential to know that your interests are their top priority over commissions. If you find better rates and the terms are more favorable to you, then it’s a positive sign.
