Home Loan Interest Rate is a critical factor when getting a home loan as it affects your overall mortgage cost and monthly payments.
Today, we have listed the top 10 factors that influence your home loan interest rate.
- Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR)-
The LVR is a way of comparing how much money you borrow for a home to how much the home is worth. If you borrow less compared to the home’s value, you often get lower interest rates because it’s seen as less risky for the lender.
- Loan Term-
How long you take to repay your loan can affect your interest rate. If you choose a shorter time to repay, you might get lower interest rates, but that means you’ll have to make higher payments.
- Loan Type-
The kind of home loan you pick makes a big difference in your interest rate. It could be a loan with an interest rate that can change (variable rate), one with a steady interest rate (fixed rate), or a mix of both (split loan).
- Fees and Charges-
The fees you must pay when you apply for the loan and the fees you pay regularly can change how much interest you effectively pay over the loan’s lifetime.
- Customer Relationship-
At times discounts are offered to existing customers who hold multiple products with the bank, such as savings accounts or credit cards.
- Repayment Frequency-
Several financial institutes offer different repayment frequencies (e.g., monthly, fortnightly, or weekly). Some frequencies may lead to lower overall interest costs.
- Credit Score-
Your credit score shows how good you are at managing money. If it’s high, you can get lower interest rates. But if it’s low, you might get higher rates or have trouble getting a loan.
- Market Conditions-
Bigger economic and market conditions can affect loan rates. Things like prices going up (inflation), what the government does, and worldwide economic trends can make rates change.
- Loan Features-
If your loan includes extra things like an offset account or redraw feature, it could change your interest rate. These features can be helpful but might mean you pay a bit more in interest.
- Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Cash Rate-
The RBA decides the official cash rate, which affects interest rates. When the cash rate goes down, banks often lower their interest rates, and when it goes up, they might raise them.