Kate McIntyre, 13 Jul 2022
Homeowners in a number of suburbs could save hundreds of thousands of dollars by refinancing to a lower rate now ahead of further rate rises, new research shows.
In contrast, those who sit idle could find themselves “mortgage prisoners” as interest rates climb even further.
The research, commissioned by Reduce Home Loans, identified 20 “mortgage belt” suburbs in NSW where homeowners could save thousands off the life of their home loans by reducing their interest rate by 175 basis points. The study assumed homeowners purchased in 2019 with a 10 per cent deposit and were refinancing from 4.75 per cent down to 3 per cent.
Kellyville, in Sydney’s north west, topped the ranking with the highest number of mortgages per suburb.
The report found borrowers there could save as much as $295,560 by refinancing down to a 3 per cent rate.
The regional centres of Dubbo and Orange were next on the list, with borrowers there potentially saving $98,405 and $110,922 respectively.
Homeowners in the Hills District stood to save the most by refinancing.
Borrowers in Castle Hill could potentially save a whopping $361,427 if they refinanced to an interest rate of 3 per cent, while borrowers in Baulkham Hills were estimated to save about $295,391.
Reduce Home Loans general manager Josh Beitz said borrowers about to come off a fixed term period should consider their options carefully.
“Some borrowers who have reverted, or will soon revert, from a fixed to a variable loan might
find themselves on a higher interest rate, which, of course, would be concerning,” he said.
“It’s important for those borrowers that can afford the rollover rate not to be complacent.”
“The Reserve Bank is likely to keep increasing the cash rate, which will translate into much higher mortgage rates.”
He said some borrowers could find themselves trapped and unable to refinance once rates went past a certain point.
“Lenders always assess borrowers at higher interest rates, so as rates keep increasing,
people’s borrowing power will be reduced. As a result, many borrowers will be locked out of
refinancing,” he said.
“That’s why borrowers should seriously consider refinancing now to a comparable loan with
a lower interest rate – because as rates keep increasing, borrowers can become ‘mortgage
prisoners’ unable to escape spiralling interest rates.”
Top 20 mortgage belt suburbs where refinancers can save (suburb and total savings)
Kellyville $295,560
Dubbo $98,405
Orange $110,922
Castle Hill $361,427
Baulkham Hills $295,391
Blacktown $174,774
Glenmore Park $198,070
Port Macquarie $154,954
Quakers Hill $187,193
Goulburn $113,127
St Clair $179,778
The Ponds $270,671
Cranebrook $167,753
Greystanes $218,715
Armidale $94,359
Prestons $189,960
Glenwood $249,475
Oran Park $203,788
Engadine $237,792
Seven Hills $196,263
* Assumes borrowers have 27 years left on their mortgage and are refinancing from a 4.75% loan to a 3.00% loan.