Fixed or variable: how to think about your interest rate
Choosing between a fixed and a variable rate is about more than predicting where rates will go. Here is what each option means for you.
Finding the right loan can be confusing. There are many lenders, each with its own products, policies and fine print, and the loan that looks cheapest at first glance is not always the one that suits you best. Our role is to make sense of it for you.
We begin by listening. Before we talk about products, we want to understand your circumstances, what you are trying to achieve and what would make the process easier for you. Only then do we compare suitable loans, explain how they differ and tell you which one we would recommend, and why.
We explain things in plain English and we are comfortable being asked the same question twice. We set out the costs as well as the benefits, including when the sensible choice is to leave things as they are. Once you decide to go ahead, we prepare the application, deal with the lender and keep you informed, so you always know what is happening and what comes next.
As mortgage brokers we are bound by a Best Interests Duty. Put simply, the loan we recommend has to be in your best interests, not ours and not the lender's. We are not tied to a single bank, which lets us compare options across the lenders available to us.
We help with home loans, refinancing, investment lending and construction, as well as business, commercial, equipment and self-managed super fund lending. You can read about each on our services page.
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We compare suitable loans across the lenders available to us, rather than offering one bank's products.
No jargon. We explain what each option means for you and what it will cost.
From paperwork to following up the lender, we manage the process on your behalf.
If a loan is not right for you, or switching is not worth it, we will say so.
The brokers you will be working with.
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Book a time that suits you. There is no obligation.
We talk about what you want to do, where you are up to and what you are unsure about. There is no obligation.
We look at your income, expenses, savings and existing debts to see what lenders are likely to consider.
We compare suitable loans and explain our recommendation in plain English, including fees and features.
We prepare the paperwork, lodge your application and answer the lender's questions on your behalf.
We keep you informed until a decision is made, then work with the lender and your conveyancer through to settlement.
We stay in touch after settlement and can review your loan as your needs change.
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A mortgage broker works with you to understand your needs, compares suitable loans from a range of lenders, and manages the application on your behalf. We explain your options in plain English and stay involved through to settlement.
Related questions
A bank can only offer its own products. A broker can compare loans from the different lenders they are accredited with, and must act in your best interests when making a recommendation.
It depends on the lender, the property and your circumstances. Many lenders prefer a deposit of 20 per cent of the purchase price, but loans with a smaller deposit are available and usually involve lenders mortgage insurance. We can talk you through what may suit your situation.
Related questions
LMI is insurance that protects the lender, not the borrower, if a loan is not repaid. It is usually charged when the deposit is less than 20 per cent, and the cost can often be added to the loan.
Yes. As well as residential lending, we help with business loans, commercial property loans and equipment finance.
In most cases a broker is paid a commission by the lender once your loan settles. We will tell you how we are paid, and about any fee that might apply to your situation, before you decide to go ahead.
Timeframes vary between lenders and depend on how complex your application is and how quickly documents can be provided. We will give you a realistic expectation for your situation and keep you updated at each stage.
It is a legal obligation that requires mortgage brokers to act in the best interests of their customers when providing credit assistance, and to put the customer's interests first if there is a conflict.
Lenders generally ask for identification, proof of income such as payslips or tax returns, bank statements, and details of your assets, debts and living expenses. We will give you a checklist tailored to your application.
Choosing between a fixed and a variable rate is about more than predicting where rates will go. Here is what each option means for you.
Understanding how lenders assess an application can help you prepare well before you apply.
A different loan can look attractive on paper. Before you switch, make sure you understand the costs involved.