How often should I review my loans?
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