With interest rates at record low levels, the number of homeowners refinancing has skyrocketed to an all-time high.
We are currently seeing more people refinance their home loans than ever before, and the latest ABS figures prove we are not imagining things. Refinanced home loans reached an all-time high of $17.2 billion in July, which was an increase of 6% from June. It is more than double the value that was refinanced exactly two years before in July 2019.
But Why Are Homeowners Refinancing in Record Numbers?
The RBA cash rate is at an all-time low of 0.1% following six rate cuts in three years. In turn, competition among lenders is fierce with many offerings record-low home loan rates in a bid to win over as many customers as possible.
RateCity reports the number of variable rates under 2% on its database has jumped from 28 to 46 in just two months.
Borrowers are also looking to lock in their interest rates, following reports that lenders have started increasing the rates on 3-5 year fixed-rate loans.
Covid-19 is likely to also be a reason why there has been an increase in homeowners refinancing. With many households and businesses around the country doing it tough with lockdowns and restrictions, one simple way to reduce your monthly mortgage repayments is by refinancing.
How we help you refinance the right way
Whilst fixed-rate loans and cashback deals might look appealing at first glance, they might not always be the best fit for your situation, and what is why it helps to have a mortgage broker in your corner!
Mortgage brokers help you go through the fine print, fees and limitations that might exist with these loan options. We can also help to determine whether a fixed, variable or split loan is better suited to your needs. We are also great at negotiating with lenders!
Unfortunately, your current lender won’t automatically give you their lowest rate – you must ask them for it. And you also must make it clear that if they don’t reduce your interest rate, you are willing to find a lender that will. This can be intimidating, time-consuming and frustrating. BUT mortgage brokers do the legwork for you.
If you have not refinanced in the past few years, get in touch with Zippy Financial to see how we could help save you thousands of dollars in interest repayments on your mortgage.
Zippy Financial is an award-winning mortgage brokerage specialising in home loans, property investment, commercial lending, and vehicle & asset finance. Whether you are looking to buy your first home, refinance or build your property investment portfolio, the team at Zippy Financial can help find and secure the right loan for you and your business. 
About the Author:  
Louisa Sanghera is an award-winning mortgage broker and Director at Zippy Financial. Louisa founded Zippy Financial with the goal of helping clients grow their wealth through smart property and business financing. Louisa utilises her expert financial knowledge, vision for exceptional customer service and passion for property to help her clients achieve their lifestyle and financial goals. Louisa is an experienced speaker, financial commentator, mortgage broker industry representative and small business advocate.  
Louisa Sanghera is a Credit Representative (437236) of Mortgage Specialists Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence No. 387025).
Disclaimer: This article contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This article is not to be used in place of professional advice, whether business, health or financial. 
When you are looking for your first or next investment property, you are probably trying to approach each inspection through your potential tenant’s eyes. Will people want to live here? Will they pay a premium rent for these particular features and amenities? Will they love it so much that they will stay long-term, saving you the bother and expense of advertising for new tenants… And of course, how much of a return will the property pay?
These are all valid and important questions. But unless you plan on holding onto the property forever, eventually you will need to sell it. And it might surprise you to learn it will more than likely to be a homeowner, not an investor, who takes it off your hands.
Contrary to what media would have us believe, the real estate market is not dominated by investors. Most people out there actively in the market are actually buying homes to live in – investors do not have anything near a monopoly over the Australian property market.
In fact, owner occupiers drive the market, as they comprise 70 per cent of buyers. So, it makes sense to look for properties that appeal to these buyers – otherwise you are narrowing your pool of sellers and potentially sabotaging your capital growth.
Buyer’s agent Brady Yoshia says that considering owner occupier appeal is important when purchasing any property, be it to live in yourself or as an investment.
“From an investment perspective, to attract high-quality tenants the property needs to meet their desired lifestyle and accommodation needs,” Brady advises.
“Tenants are more discerning than ever, and if you wouldn’t like to live in the property due to its condition or location, other people will no doubt feel the same.”
Brady says that this applies to both tenant and future owner occupiers, and also suggests that it’s a good idea to consider how you would feel personally about living there, just in case you find yourself in the position where you need to move into the property down the track.
So, how do you identify such a property?
Brady says there are a number of features that owner occupiers will be on the lookout for, including:
Location and aspect of the home
Access to public transport options
Potential for future growth
For houses, the size of the block
If you are thinking of buying a very unusual property, perhaps because it is on the more affordable side or because it meets your unique requirements, then consider whether this will appeal to future buyers – or are you potentially selling yourself short?
Beyond these factors, Brady says it is important to know what is happening in the area, from a development and population growth perspective – for example, are there any significant infrastructure upgrades planned, which might affect access or liveability? You can also enquire with the local council to find out if there are any large-scale development applications in the pipeline.
When imagining your future buyers, consider all the possibilities – professional couples, young families and even retirees and downsizers. Shops and essential amenities like doctors, banks and Centrelink offices should all be relatively easy to get to, along with at least two options for commuters such as a main highway and a train station.
“Areas that have owner occupier appeal are usually within the catchment area for good schools,” adds Brady; you can find maps online that will show you where these boundaries lie.
Public transport and access to universities and commercial hubs and proximity to hospitals are also important, which areas such as the CBD, Parramatta, Chatswood and Macquarie Park in Sydney all being good examples of suburbs with both owner occupier and investor appeal. In Melbourne, houses near coveted schools such as Box Hill High and Balwyn High are always in demand, along with anything in the sunny bayside area.
But regardless of the specific city, keep in mind that it is owner occupiers that drive the market. If you want a property that has wide appeal now and in the future, then it pays to keep both renters and homeowners in mind when shopping for your next property investment.
This article contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation or needs before making any decisions based on this information.
Comparison Rate calculated on a secured loan amount of $150,000 for a term of 25 years. WARNING: This Comparison Rate is true only for the example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees and other loan amounts might result in a different Comparison Rate. Fees and Charges Apply. Terms and Conditions are available on request.
