Alexi Neocleous
17th October 2022
Which is better: fixed or variable?
A variable rate home loan is one where the interest rate will vary based on the market. If the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) puts the cash rate up, your interest rate will most likely rise too. If the cash rate goes down, so will your interest rate. Lenders offer it as an alternative to fixed-rate loans. If you go for a fixed-rate loan, the interest rate will remain the same for a set time, usually one, three or five years.
Some experts point out that variable home loan rates are better in the long run. If the interest rate goes up, your interest will go up, too and so will your repayments. However, if it goes down, the interest rate will decrease and your repayments will also decrease. In this second case, you’ll end up paying less in the short term.
There’s another thing to consider when choosing what type of rate to go for. When you take out a fixed-rate loan, the interest rate you get reflects the state of the market at that time. If the interest rates are on the rise when you get a loan, you’ll end up saving more than you would at a variable rate.
The benefits of variable rate home loans
When interest rates are declining, your repayments will be lower. Variable rates can prove to be a good choice in this uncertain economic climate. With variable rate home loans, banks often offer extra features, too, such as:
• Unlimited redraws
on repayments made early. This allows you to withdraw any money you have deposited in advance from your account.
• An offset account.
The banks subtract the offset account balance from the mortgage account balance. This difference is the net balance for which they charge interest. As a result, your repayments will be lower. • The option to make extra repayments at no extra cost. This allows you to repay your loan faster if you have the means. If you do this, you will also save on interest.
• Charging less to change loans.
When you have a variable rate loan, changing to a different loan is easier. If you find a better loan somewhere else, it will cost you less to get out of your current deal.
The downsides of variable rate home loans
It’s the uncertainty of the market that makes taking out variable rate loans risky. If there’s a sudden increase in the rates, you will have to pay more to meet the terms and conditions of the loan.
The negative aspects of these loans reflect onto your budget. First, it’s impossible to plan your spending in advance. Loan interest rates will often change, as will the value of your repayments.
When you applied for a home loan, you planned according to your budget at the time. With rates on the rise, your payments will have to be larger. If your budget is still the same as it was then, you may even fall behind on your repayment schedule.
Use UNO's calculator to estimate your borrowing capacity.
Calculating home loan repayments
With variable rate home loans, it’s difficult to determine how much the loan will cost you in the end. UNO’s home loan repayment calculator works on all loan types, including those with variable rates.
You can enter the amount of your loan, its purpose, and its term. The calculator shows you how high your repayment instalments will be. You can also use it to compare different loans to find out which one gives you the best deal on the whole.
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It’s important to note that the information we give here is general in nature – no matter how helpful or relatable you find our articles. Even if it seems like we’re writing about you, it’s not personal or financial advice. That’s why you should always ask a professional before making any life-changing decisions.
