Gary Owen
Mob: 0409 770 096
Gary's Profile
I joined Mortgage Choice in 1998 after 22 years experience in the banking industry specialising in home loan lending. My last position was with Westpac as a Personal Banking Manager at the Port Macquarie office.
I am an accredited Reverse Mortgage Consultant and a member of SEQUAL. I also hold a Certificate IV in Financial Services (Finance/Mortgage Broking) and a member of the MFAA.
My family and I have lived in Port Macquarie since 1993 and I pride myself on quality customer service and reliability. I was awarded Life Membership of the Port Macquarie City Apex Club at the 1999 State Convention and I have achieved the accolade of Apexian of the Year three times and am also a past President of the Club.
I have held board positions with various sporting organisation, including Treasurer for the Hawks Baseball Club, Hastings Baseball Assoc Inc and Hastings River District Junior Cricket Assoc. Testimonials
Thankyou very much for your service. You and Carmel have been very helpful and you took all my stress away and I love my new house.
Matthew W.
I loved the fact that you deal with one person from the beginning to the end. You just don't get that from a bank. Just keep doing what your doing.
M. Haswell
Testimonials
Dear David and the team at Mortgage Choice.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for your assistance in the process of purchasing our first home.
You made every step seem effortless in what was a daunting process at times.
Any questions we had were answered to our understanding and without delay.
We cannot recommend your services highly enough and look forward to maintaining our relationship in the future.
Thank you again our gratitude cannot be adequately expressed through words
JB & MY McI.
Gary made the whole process of buying a first home so simple and easy. He actually listens to what's needed and makes it happen.
Continue the exceptional service and I continually recommend your services to family and friends.
A. Vallentine
Gary and Carmel were fantastic! So very helpful and really know their stuff. For a first home buyer, the service and advice provided was invaluable! Thanks, I'll be back to see you when I next make a purchase.
Jenna Dean
I have been with Mortgage Choice Port Macquarie for 10 years (3 loans) and I have always been treated with professionalism, enthusiasm and genuine advice. Keep up the good work. I have recommended your service to others at every opportunity.
Rod Simpkins
How to choose a home loan
Here are 5 essential tips that you should consider when choosing a home loan:
1. Interest rates
Interest rate is obviously important, but remember that you are not simply looking for the home loan with the lowest interest rate because there are many other considerations.
For example, the mortgage lender with the ‘best’ interest rate may have high ongoing fees and therefore your home loan may cost you more in the long term than a similar one with a higher interest rate.
Be sure to consider ‘break and switch’ costs as well because if you decide to pay out your home loan or refinance before time will you be charged exorbitant fees to do so.
Also, be wary of an introductory rate. It may be ‘cheap’ at the start but it may also revert to a much higher rate after once the introductory term has finished. You should try to negotiate an interest rate discount with your mortgage lender over the longer term.
2. Features and flexibility
What are the home loan features that you need? Home loans with the ‘best’ interest rate may not have all the features you need or be as flexible as you need it to be. For example, do you want the ability to pay extra so you can prepare yourself for future rate rises and also create a buffer if your financial circumstances change?
You also need to consider the accessibility of your mortgage lender in terms of ATM, internet, face-to-face contact, etc. Decide what you need and ask whether your chosen home loan lender has the features available.
3. Consider the current home loan approval times
Is your home loan approval time critical? If so, the lender with the ‘best’ home loan may not be able to get your loan approved in time. During peak processing periods, lender service times can vary between 2 to 20 working days.
4. Compare home loan products
Visit a reputable mortgage broker with more than 20 lenders on their panel. This way, you can research and compare a broad range of home loans and lenders all within the one visit.