If you currently have a home loan and haven’t reviewed it for a few years, it might be time to compare your options. Experts generally recommend checking the health of your home loan each year to make sure it remains the right fit for your circumstances and the ever-changing economic cycle. Here are five reasons why you should review your home loan regularly.
Interest Rates and Better Deals
Interest rates can fluctuate dramatically, and your home loan may not always offer the best deal for your needs. Reviewing your home loan can help you compare deals and potentially save you money. If you haven’t reviewed your loan in the last 12 months, now is a good time to speak to a mortgage broker. With the sharp increase in interest rates that we’ve experienced in the past year, it’s worth comparing your options as the landscape has changed quickly.
Adjust Repayment Frequency
Aligning your repayment cycle with your pay check can help you keep better track of your cash and potentially save you some money. Reviewing your home loan may allow you to adjust how often you make your repayments and find a better option. For example, if you get paid fortnightly or weekly, but your mortgage repayments are monthly, it may make it tricky to budget effectively. Changing your repayment frequency can help you manage your money better and even save money over the life of the loan.
Take Advantage of New Features
Home loan features change over time, and there may be new options available that weren’t around when you took out your home loan. Reviewing your mortgage may help you discover new home loan features that could make a real difference in helping you pay it off sooner. Some great options to consider are offset accounts, redraw facilities, as well as other options like interest-only loans or fixed-rate loans.
Consolidate Your Debts
Refinancing your home loan may allow you to take greater control of your finances and consolidate your debts at the same time. Combining some of your higher interest personal debts, such as credit cards, with your mortgage could reduce your overall interest repayments and help you get out of debt sooner. It can also make it far easier to budget with only one loan repayment to think about.
Market Trends
Market trends can change, and it’s important to take up these opportunities when they come along. When interest rates are low, you may be able to lock in a competitive fixed-term rate to take advantage of the state of the market. This can provide you with peace of mind that your repayments won’t change for an agreed period of your loan. When interest rates are higher, it’s worth comparing your options and looking at more competitive rates or new offers that are currently available that might suit your personal circumstances.
It’s important to review your home loan regularly to ensure it still meets your needs. Working with a mortgage broker can help make the process easier and help you find the best products for your needs. Remember, you’re not locked into your existing lender, and you can move to another one if it makes more financial sense.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.
