First homebuyers
If you’re a first homebuyer, the chances are you don’t have a large deposit, so you may want to compare loans which offer the opportunity to have less than the ‘standard’ . Some first homebuyer loans also offer very low interest rates fixed for a set number of years, before reverting to a standard variable interest rate. These ‘introductory’ or ‘honeymoon’ loans may be your best option for the first one to five years if you don’t have a large deposit, which can help you save up more money during that period.
Other incentives for first homebuyers include cashback offers, which can assist with the cost of stamp duty or Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) and loans with no application or ongoing fees.
Owner-builders
If you’re thinking of building a house, there are owner-builder mortgages available which may offer you the best home loan solution. Construction loans are often interest-only (IO) fixed-rate loans which allow you to pay your builder in stages as building milestones are met, rather than manage a lump sum from the beginning. These construction loans often have the best interest-only fixed mortgage rates during the construction phase, before reverting to a variable, principal and interest rate loan when building is complete.
Refinancing
The best home loan for you if you’re refinancing is likely one that offers a low interest rate plus lots of additional features to help you pay your loan off sooner. This could either be a lower fixed or variable interest rate, or you may consider a split rate, which divides your loan into two parts: one on a fixed rate for a set number of years, and the other with a variable rate which will offer you more flexibility to pay off your loan sooner. Features may include an offset account, the ability to make unlimited additional repayments and the option to pay your loan off completely without any loan break fees.
Property investors
The best loan for property investors will depend on the state of your property and what you intend to do with it. If it’s untenanted and you intend to renovate or redecorate before renting it out, you may want an investment property loan on which you only pay the interest portion until you start receiving rental income. An interest-only short-term fixed rate loan may be your best option in these circumstances, as well as if you’re looking to sell within the next few years.
If you already have tenants and wish to negatively gear your property but pay your loan off in the shortest possible time, a standard investment variable rate loan with an offset account, redraw facility and the option to make lump sum repayments may be the best option for your particular circumstances.