We as homebuyers who have relied upon mortgages to help purchase property are always looking for ways to minimise our monthly repayments. The common strategy is refinancing to cheaper loans, however lesser known options are to utilise offset accounts and redraw facilities which can either fully remove, or minimise the interest charged to borrowers.
Soaring house prices over 2021 have reduced housing affordability for many homebuyers, especially younger first-home buyers. Saving up a 20% deposit is difficult at current prices, causing many to purchase property with a low deposit, leading to a downward spiral as the lenders charge LMI fees, further increasing the cost of purchasing.
Stamp Duty (Land Transfer Duty) is a tax charged by the state government upon the purchase of property. The amount charged to the buyer depends on the contract price.
A guarantor home loan is a potential strategy for new home buyers (not just first homeowners) which reduces the upfront financial strain of purchasing property and can reduce the monthly repayments of borrowers.