May 01, 2012
Provided lenders pass on all or most of May's Reserve Bank cash rate cut, astute home loan holders who maximise this opportunity could save thousands of dollars in interest and shave months, or even years off their loan term, according to Australia's largest independently-operated mortgage broker, Mortgage Choice.
Company spokesperson Belinda Williamson said, "We hope the move by the Reserve Bank to lower the cash rate by half of a percentage point to 3.75% does not become a non-event for variable rate borrowers. A decision by lenders to pull the rate lever will likely have a much needed, positive impact on property buyers' plans and borrowers' ability to repay their home loan quicker."
"It is no secret that some lenders have shown a reluctance to pass on the full rate cut in a bid to safeguard their businesses against future funding costs. However, we are hopeful that in an effort to reignite the property market, entice new customers and in the spirit of competition, lenders will lower their home loan interest rates.
"Even if lenders, regrettably, pass on only part of the cash rate cut, astute borrowers who rev up their loan repayment strategy by keeping repayments at the pre rate cut level could save thousands of dollars in loan interest and shave months, or years off their home loan term."
If a lender passes on the full 0.5% rate cut announced today, for someone with a $300,000 loan at 7.25% over 25 years, it would lower monthly loan repayments by around $96.
"If a borrower continued to repay their loan at the pre cash rate cut level, leaving the monthly savings of $96 in each repayment, it could save them $68,364 in total interest payable and may see them repay the loan two years and eight months earlier," said Ms Williamson.
"If lenders choose not to pass on all, or most of the cash rate cut, borrowers should see it as a signal to shop around for a more competitive deal. Of course, they should not move from one lender and/or loan product to another without carefully weighing up the cost versus benefit of doing so.
"Health checking a home loan with a mortgage broker is a great way to ensure you are getting the deal suited to your needs and financial circumstances."
The difference a rate cut can make to your home loan if you repay at pre rate cut levels:
Based on repayments made at the beginning of a $300,000 loan at an interest rate of 7.25% over a 25-year loan term.
To see the impact extra repayments can make to your home loan, visit Mortgage Choice's Extra Repayments Calculator:
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Belinda Williamson
Mortgage Choice Corporate Affairs
(02) 8907 0472 / 0407 416 124
belinda.williamson@mortgagechoice.com.au
