Refinancing a loan can take advantage of lower interest rates to bring down the overall cost of servicing a loan. But it’s not always the best, or the only, option.
There are many different factors borrowers need to consider when thinking about refinancing a loan. The first step is to speak to an expert about your needs and whether you can afford to service a different loan structure.
At this point, an approved Broker will also need to find out about your existing loan, repayments and the structure of the facility. The current value of the property is also taken into consideration, so the Broker will have access to current data that will indicate what the asset is worth.
Bear in mind that different banks use different valuation companies and often the value of your property can fluctuate because of this. Sometimes it’s not all about the rate, as sometimes the higher valuation wins, especially when it comes to unlocking equity for your next purchase.
Brokers will have a look at the various loan options and figure out whether it’s worth it for the borrower to refinance. It’s not usually worth it if it’s only going to save a couple of hundred dollars a year, taking into consideration exit and application fees. But if it’s going to save upward of $1000 a year, refinancing might be a sensible approach.
Another key consideration is lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI). If switching loans means you will need to pay LMI again, sometimes it’s not worth refinancing. If you do decide to go down the refinancing path, working with a credit adviser rather than going straight to a bank has advantages because the adviser has access to loan options from scores of different lenders. Brokers can compare lots of different lenders and, if there is a better opportunity, they’re able to access it. Brokers are always working to give you great advice that’s in your best interests.
If you’re trying to lower the costs of your loan, find an Approved Broker to have on your side.
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