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Writer's pictureShaun Chaudhry

"Understanding the Basics of Refinance Home Loans: All You Need to Know"

To know more about Refinace of Home Loan, Read more:

When it comes to managing money for your home, things can get pretty confusing. But there's one important option called refinancing home loans that can really make a difference. It's like giving your home loan a makeover to make it work better for you. In this guide, we'll explain the basics of refinancing in simple terms, so you can understand how it can help you make smarter choices about your home's finances. Let's get started!


What Exactly is a Refinance Home Loan?

A refinance home loan involves obtaining a new loan to settle your existing home loan. This can be arranged through your current lender or a different one. If you're aiming for a reduced interest rate, it's wise to reassess your current home loan before opting for refinancing. Presently, this is particularly advantageous as several banks are providing incentives such as cashback and waiving application fees for those who choose to refinance.


What's the Borrowing Limit?

  • The amount you can borrow typically ranges from 80% to 95% of the property price, varying based on the lender and the type of loan.

  • The greater the equity you have in your home, the higher your borrowing capacity becomes.

  • Additionally, a superior credit score can enhance your eligibility for a larger loan amount and secure a more favorable interest rate.


Can I Secure Approval?

  • Lenders typically seek a stable income and employment history to approve your loan application.

  • However, if your property's valuation is lower than anticipated, achieving your desired refinancing amount might be challenging.

  • Additionally, the criteria for refinancing can vary depending on your property type.


Find out if you're eligible: We're here to assist you in refinancing your home loan.



How to Refinance Your Home Loan?

A commonly advised practice is for homeowners to explore refinancing every three to four years to maximize their savings. This is because banks frequently provide more attractive interest rates to new customers compared to existing ones. Additionally, considering the incentives like cash backs and waived application fees offered by banks for refinancing, it's a beneficial option to consider. Fortunately, the process of refinancing a home loan has become much simpler over time. Here's an overview of what most borrowers can expect during the refinancing process.


Some Guidelines to Follow During the Refinancing Process:


Step 1: Determine Your Reasons for Refinancing

To begin, it's crucial to clearly understand why you're considering refinancing. Whether your goal is to secure a more favorable interest rate, lower your monthly payments, or tap into your property's equity, defining your objectives upfront will help you identify the desired outcome and select the most suitable home loan product for your needs.


Step 2: Understand the Expenses Involved in Refinancing

When contemplating refinancing, it's essential to take into account various fees, including mortgage discharge fees, loan application fees, valuation fees, mortgage registration fees, ongoing lender fees, and others. These refinancing costs can differ based on the lender you choose and the specific product you qualify for. Nevertheless, banks consistently strive to entice quality borrowers by offering competitive rates, refinance cash backs, and waivers on loan application and setup fees.


Step 3: Determine Your Equity Position

Equity represents the variance between your property's value and the outstanding mortgage balance. Utilize our Home Equity Calculator to assess your equity accurately. Typically, for refinancing, a minimum equity of 5% is required. However, it's advisable to aim for at least 20% equity to circumvent additional expenses associated with Lenders Mortgage Insurance fees.


Step 4: Prepare Your Documentation

During the refinancing process, you'll need to gather the following documents:

  1. The last six months' home loan statements, illustrating the total amount owed to the bank.

  2. Recent council rates notice and building insurance documents for your home.

  3. Statements for any unsecured debts from the past three months, including credit card statements, personal loan statements, and car loan statements.

  4. Your two most recent payslips, bank statements, and identification documents.

Additionally, there may be a few other case-specific and lender-specific documents required as well.


Step 5: Explore Options with Various Lenders Using a Broker

While you have the option to independently compare home loans, engaging with a mortgage broker provides access to a diverse pool of lenders. In our case, we collaborate with 40 lenders, granting us the capability to locate a favorable deal and competitive rate tailored to your specific circumstances.


Step 6: Secure a Conditional Approval

After submitting your application, anticipate receiving a conditional approval within a timeframe ranging from one day to seven business days, depending on the specific lender's processing speed.


Step 7: Order Property Valuation

Fortunately, for properties in metro areas and prime locations, a lot of lenders will accept a computer valuation of the property. As for properties with no recent data or for very high loan to value (LVR) loans, lenders may insist on a full valuation of the property. This usually takes around three to five business days.


Step 8: Secure Formal Approval

Once approved, the lenders will forward you the Loan Offer documents, mortgage discharge forms, and Titles Office - Mortgage Discharge documents for your signature. To initiate the mortgage discharge process, you'll need to download the most recent mortgage discharge form from your current lender's website and proceed with the submission.


Step 9: Finalize Settlement

At this stage, your new bank or lender will take charge of most tasks. They will liaise with your current lender, settle the outstanding balance, and eliminate the outgoing financial institution's (OFI) name from the mortgage.


Step 10: Arrange the New Loan

After settlement, certain lenders may send a Welcome Pack containing details of your new loan and instructions for setting up internet banking. It's essential to review this pack to ensure that any desired loan features such as offset accounts or redraw facilities are arranged promptly.


Conclusion:

Congratulations on successfully navigating through the refinancing process! We hope this guide has provided valuable insights to help you make informed decisions about your home loan. As you continue on your financial journey, remember that our team of expert mortgage brokers is here to support you every step of the way.


If you have any further questions or need personalized guidance on home loans, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Our dedicated team is ready to provide tailored advice and assistance to help you achieve your financial goals.


To get in touch with us, simply contact Proactive Lending Solutions at 0424513740 or info@proactivelending.com.au. We're here to help you make the most of your home loan and secure a brighter financial future.





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