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Fixed rate home loans

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What is a fixed rate home loan?

Providing the security of knowing exactly what your repayments will be, therefore protecting you against interest and repayment increases, for the term of your fixed rate home loan period that you have chosen.

A fixed rate home loan means that the rate will remain exactly the same while you are in the fixed rate period that you have chosen. For example, you may choose to have a three year fixed rate and for three years following the funding of that loan, your interest rate and repayments will not change.

  • When you select one of the many fixed rate home loans, you are basically asking the bank to lock in the rate for a set period.
  • You will be locked in to this rate and your repayments will remain the same throughout the term chosen. Terms range from 1 to 15 years and you need to seriously consider if this loan will be suitable for you simply because these loans are known to be restrictive.
  • At the end of your contracted period, you will come onto whatever the variable rate is with your lender, on that day.
  • Important warning: This is the only type of loan where we feel a warning needs to be issued.
  • It is crucial that you understand the contract that you will be entering into with the lender BEFORE you apply for a fixed rate home loan.
  • This is a lock in type contract that has little downsides for the lender. Once you are in the loan, it will cost you to get out.

Another type of fixed rate home loan is a Split Home Loan. A Split Home Loan is also known as a Structured Home Loan. The basic principle behind this loan is that you might take two or more products from the same bank in order to maximise benefits to yourself. These are able to provide you the security of knowing what your repayments will be on the bulk of your debt, therefore protecting you against rate increases, yet allowing you flexibility at the same time.

Should You Choose a Fixed Rate Home Loan?

You will need to decide if the benefits outweigh the downsides before applying for a fixed rate home loan.

The reason it is important to decide beforehand, is that once you are in a fixed rate, you will have to pay an expensive fee known as a break cost or exit fee, to exit the loan.

This fee will apply if you want to sell your property, or even if you just want to change to a different loan, even if it is with the same lender.

What benefits are there for you in fixed rate home loans?

  • You can lock in a set interest rate for any a certain time period. These fixed rate periods will range from 1,2,3,4.5,10 and 15 years.
  • If interest rates were to increase substantially, your repayments would be protected until the end of your fixed-rate period.
  • Your repayments are set for the fixed rate period that you have chosen. This is an advantage, provided that interest rates are not decreasing.
  • Your interest rate is set for the fixed rate period that you have chosen. This is also an advantage, provided that interest rates are not decreasing.
  • A fixed rate home loan will allow you to budget more efficiently as your repayments do not change.
  • A fixed rate home loan may be cheaper for you than other loans available depending on the market and also depending on the lender.
  • You can often use a fixed rate as part of a structured loan in order to make your home loan more tailored to your needs. This means you could have a split loan which is part fixed and part variable allowing you certainty and flexibility at the same time.
  • You can use a short-term fixed rate home loan such as a 1 year fixed rate or a 2 year fixed rate, to smooth out times when income is uncertain. For example you may only be receiving one income because there is a new baby arriving and it can be refreshing to know that your repayments are set until mum goes back to work.

What do you need to be careful of in a fixed rate home loan?

  • There will be substantial costs associated with trying to exit a fixed rate home loan early. These are known as break costs and are not negotiable with your lender. The reasons that you may want to break a fixed rate loan will not matter to the lender. The idea is, that you will remain in your contract for the fixed-rate period that you have selected.
  • Most fixed-rate loans will not allow you to pay off any more than $10,000 per calendar year over your normal repayments. Some fixed rates will not allow you pay any extra at all.
  • You would not be able to take advantage of interest rates reductions, as your rate will remain fixed.
  • You can’t refinance your fixed rate loan while you are in the fixed rate period. If you absolutely need to do so, then break charges will certainly apply.
  • If you intend on pay a substantial lump sum on to your loan in the future, and you are in your fixed-rate period, break charges will apply if it is above the extra repayment limit set by your lender.
  • If you want to leave your lender, and you are in your fixed-rate period, break charges will apply.
  • If you need a loan that has flexibility, then a fixed-rate loan may not be a good option for you as most fixed-rate loans have limited features such as no redraw, no offset account allowed and no major deposits. They are in general a very restricted loan.

How can I apply?

These are your simple steps to apply for a loan.
  • Contact us on 02 4257 5626 to speak to a mortgage broker, or complete our online enquiry form.
  • You will speak with a broker who will take into account your needs by discussing not only your requirements, but also any concerns you have, and offer you some possible strategies and ideas that you may not have thought about.
  • Once we know what you require, we will draft and email you a proposal– this will usually consist of a few options that are easy to understand.
  • Once you have had a chance to look at what options are available, you can contact your broker or the broker will call you, to discuss the proposal.
  • You can then decide if you wish to proceed or you may just want to discuss more options.

What are my other options?

There are many options available:
  • Whether you are after a variable interest rate, a fixed interest rate, interest only loan, equity loan or any of the other loans available, it is important that you find out what is available to you before applying for a loan.
  • The loans listed below are available for most lending purposes. Whether you are refinancing your home loan to a lower rate, or a property investor looking to buy that second or third property, we will have some ideas for you to consider.
  • Even if you are a first home buyer purchasing a new home or renovating your existing home, there are some great deals available from the banks and lenders that we are accredited with.
  • Please review our loans page which lists the other popular loan types that are available to you.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions answered

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How can I get started?

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Your journey with us begins by completing our contact form or reaching out to us directly by phone. Our team is ready to assist you through the process. Please note that an initial phone call is required for all applicants regardless. This allows your mortgage broker to understand your needs and objectives and determine how we can best assist you. This call is also a valuable opportunity for you to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the process.

Why should I use a mortgage broker instead of doing it myself?

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You may be wondering why you should use a mortgage broker instead of going directly to a lender.

The main benefit of using a mortgage broker is that they can provide you with a wider range of options. This means you can choose a loan that is cheaper, has a better structure, or is from a lender who is more likely to approve your application.

Not all lenders are the same, and some are better than others in certain areas. A mortgage broker can help you find the best lender and loan for your specific needs. And, since there are no fees to you for using a mortgage broker for a standard home loan, it makes sense to have someone on your side to guide you through the process.

How do mortgage brokers get paid?

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We receive an upfront commission from lenders - only when a loan successfully settles. Additionally, we receive ongoing trail commissions for providing continued support to our clients.
To offer loans from a specific lender, we undergo lender accreditation training. This allows us to work directly with clients on the lender's behalf, completing the tasks that would typically be handled at a branch. We are responsible for sourcing our own clients and matching them with the lender that best suits their needs, and we also have a partnership with an aggregator as detailed below, which allows us to access dozens of lenders.

How does a Mortgage Broker access so many lenders?

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We partner with an aggregation group (Aggregator), a company that aligns itself with dozens of lenders and banks. Illawarra Mortgage brokers Aggregator partner is Connective Mortgage Aggregator. 

This aggregator gives us access to a wider range of lenders and advanced software, enabling us to serve our clients more effectively. The Aggregator receives a monthly payment taken directly from our commission income for each loan. Working with an Aggregator is standard practice for mortgage brokers and is a requirement in this industry.

What services do you offer?

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We offer comprehensive mortgage broker services tailored to your specific needs. Whether you're looking for a home loan, a first home buyer loan, a loan for a second property or investment, an upgrade to your existing home, or refinancing options, we can help. 

We also work with lenders who offer guarantor options, allowing parents to assist their children in purchasing a property.
View our home loans.

What credentials and experience do our brokers have?

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Illawarra Mortgage Brokers holds an Australian Credit License (ACL Number 385841)and maintains full membership with the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia. Our brokers are required to complete 30 hours of professional development training each year to stay current on all lending practices. 

The minimum qualification for our brokers – They must have a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking and also have a Diploma in Finance and Mortgage Broking​.

The business owner Peter Economos is our most senior broker. He became a mortgage broker in 1988. After working with another mortgage company for two years, he then established Illawarra Mortgage Brokers, in March 2000. 
Illawarra Mortgage Brokers has also been the recipient of industry excellence awards, including the 2019 Connective Home Loans, Mortgage Broker of the Year for NSW.
We hope that this information provides you with the assurance of our professionalism and expertise.

What types of clients do we work with?

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We assist a wide range of clients with their property finance needs. Whether you're looking to purchase a home or investment property, refinance an existing loan, or explore other property-related lending options, we are here to help.

We work with clients from all income backgrounds, including salary and wage earners, self-employed individuals, contractors, self-funded retirees, and more.

Please advise if you have any specific questions about our services. We would be happy to discuss your individual needs and circumstances.

What makes Illawarra Mortgage Brokers different from other brokers?

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Our access to dozens of lenders allows us to offer you a wider range of lending options than brokers with smaller lender panels and therefore limited lender options. With over 25 years of experience, we can also provide expert guidance on loan structuring and interest-saving strategies designed to save you money.

Furthermore, we pride ourselves on our personalized approach, product expertise, and commitment to excellence. These qualities distinguish us from other mortgage brokers in the Illawarra.

Can you tell me if I will get a home loan approved?

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During our initial conversation, we can usually determine your likelihood of being approved for a home loan. However, please note that only the lender you choose to apply with can grant final approval. Our role is to present you with options that offer the strongest possibility of securing your home loan.

How often will you meet your broker once the loan has settled?

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Regarding our meeting frequency, we tailor that to your specific needs and preferences. We are always available to assist you, so please don't hesitate to reach out for any reason. Additionally, we do not charge any fees for ongoing support.

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