What type of people fix for the long term?
Professional investors who have long term plans for their property and require stable investments will often lock their rates for a 10 year interest only fixed rate. This keeps the payments consistent and they are free to focus on new investments
Investors can risk losing large property portfolios if the reserve bank increases rates significantly. They will often fix some of or all their portfolio to protect it from market changes.
Conservative home owners often prefer to have fixed rate loans because they are worried about the possibility of an economic crisis. After an economic meltdown, it is too late to fix your rate so fixing early can save you from future hardship.
What are the features of 10 year fixed loans?
The majority of fixed rate loans have restrictions on extra repayments, lack a redraw feature and do not have a 100% offset account. The features of long term fixed loans vary from bank to bank. When choosing a long term fixed rate, it is important to consider the additional features offered with you loan.
Once you have made decision on the features, you can contact us and we’ll help you choose a lender that is suitable for you.
How should you structure your loan?
Professional investors often set up their loan as a sole loan account that is fixed with interest only repayments. They do not need to make extra repayments, redraw or pay off the loan early.
Home owners require more features and flexibility and this leads them structure their loan to be part fixed and part variable. They can then can make extra repayments and redraw on the variable portion.
Depending on how much the home owner believes they are able to repay during the first 10 years of the loan, the fixed rate portion of the loan is generally between 50% and 90% of total loan.
Who shouldn’t fix their loan for long term?
A fixed rate is not right for everyone and is actually only suitable if your personal situation is not likely to change in the future.
A 10 year fixed rate is not right for you if you plan to make large sum repayments, you want to sell the property in the next 10 years or you require a flexible loan with extra features.
If you discuss your requirements with our mortgage brokers, you can structure your loan to support your future plans.
How do you apply for a fixed rate loan?
You can contact us or enquire online, one of our mortgage brokers will contact you shortly to talk about you options.