August 07, 2012
In the wake of today's second consecutive monthly ‘on-hold' cash rate announcement from the Reserve Bank, Australia's largest independently-operated mortgage broker, Mortgage Choice, says now is the time for borrowers to seek out the best home loan deal.
While the cash rate remains at 3.5% for now, it is anticipated that there will be at least one further rate cut this year. However, there is no certainty about if and when this may occur.
“Our economy is showing positive momentum; we have recently seen retail sales, housing prices and construction activity rise, while unemployment figures and interest rates remain low. This is all feeding an up-tick in consumer confidence,” said Mortgage Choice spokesperson, Belinda Williamson.
“However, soft inflation figures released this month show the Reserve Bank still has room to move should our domestic economy lose balance or the situation in Europe worsen.”
In this climate of uncertainty, there may be more room than many borrowers expect to secure good rates – so long as they know how. Before deciding to take the popular DIY route and deal with lenders directly in the hope of getting a better deal, borrowers should consider the benefits of engaging an expert to help.
“With talk still of another rate cut coming, borrowers may view the decision this month to hold the cash rate steady as more of a hindrance than a help. Yet now more than ever, official interest rates are only one part of the home loan picture – there is more that can be done to secure savings and repay your home loan sooner, as long as you know where to look and what to look for,” said Ms Williamson.
“People who enlisted the help of a professional to find the best home loan suited to them have said that they not only appreciated the time it saved, they also found it less stressful and some were able to get a further discounted rate. So while the Australian penchant for DIY is alive and well, when it comes to your home loan, there are clear benefits to teaming up with an expert to get the job done right.”
Ms Williamson went on to say borrowers should start by researching their options, as not all brokers are created equal. Three key questions to consider when selecting a broker:
1. Does the broker truly act in my best interest? An honest and professional broker should be working to get the best outcome for you, and not the other way around. Question whether they receive the same commission rate regardless of the lender or loan product chosen. The best brokers will be able to clearly outline their service, remuneration and dispute resolution policy before you get started.
2. Can your broker access a wide range of lenders? Brokers can have up to 20 lenders or more on their panel. If yours doesn't, it may be time to consider a change. With more to choose from, your chances of accessing a better deal are likely to increase. Look for a broker with a wide range of lenders – big banks, smaller banks, building societies and credit unions – to choose from.
3. Does your broker charge a fee? Some borrowers may think that a broker fee is part and parcel of the service. But this is not the case. Outside of the normal loan application fees, the service you receive from your broker is not always tied to a fee – check before you sign-on as to whether you will be charged for their service.
Borrowers who want to learn more about how to take control of their home loan can visit Facebook.com/MortgageChoice or Twitter.com/MortgageChoice. Or, call 13 MORTGAGE.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Belinda Williamson
Mortgage Choice Corporate Affairs
02 8907 0472 / 0407 416 124
belinda.williamson@mortgagechoice.com.au
Michelle Ryan
BlueChip Communication
02 9018 8608 / 0404 381 886
michelle@bluechipcommunication.com.au
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