Fixed interest rate loans are a hot topic with some excellent rates available. They’re a great product that allows you to lock in an interest rate for some time, so you know exactly how much your repayments will be. By contrast, the interest rate on variable rate loan products can change at any time, leading to uncertainty. With this in mind, why are variable rates still so popular? And what’s the difference between basic and standard variable rate loans? This article looks into the difference between the standard and basic variable rate products and how we can help you choose the right option for your personal financial situation and goals.
Standard variable rate loans Standard variable rate loans are historically the most popular loan choice in Australia. About half of all home loan borrowers take this option. This kind of loan varies from lender to lender, and if you opt for this choice, we’ll be able to find you a loan with the right features for you.
Standard variable rate loan features may include mortgage offset accounts, a credit card at a reduced rate, the ability to split the loan (so that part of it has a fixed interest rate), the ability to make extra repayments, and extra payment redraw facilities.
A standard variable rate loan usually has a higher interest rate than a basic variable rate loan. However, its features are designed to save money and provide financial flexibility. For example, a mortgage offset account is a separate transaction account attached to your standard variable mortgage where the balance in the offset account is deducted from your loan balance before interest is calculated each day, saving you money on interest.
Moreover, interest is calculated at the same rate as your home loan, whereas regular savings accounts offer you significantly less. If you have extra money on hand, this could mean a substantial saving on your interest repayments and puts your extra money to work for you.
Another great feature is making extra repayments and paying your loan off more quickly without penalty. Fixed-rate and basic variable-rate mortgages can often carry penalties for paying your loan sooner than the agreed loan term.
Basic variable rate loans
Basic variable rate loans are simple, no-frills loans. They usually carry a lower interest rate than standard variable rate loans but may not come with flexible, money-saving features like offset accounts and low-rate credit cards. Extra repayments on essential variable rate loans are sometimes allowed but frequently limited and usually have no redraw facilities.
Additionally, basic variable rate loans often have much higher discharge fees if you choose to close the loan in the first three years, so this type of loan is better for first home buyers or owner-occupiers who plan to keep the property for a lengthy period and want to keep costs down.
How do you go about choosing the right loan?
Locking in the wrong loan product could be a costly mistake. As your mortgage broker, it’s our job to help you make the right choice of loans according to your personal financial situation and financial goals. There are thousands of home loan options to choose from, and we’ll do all the leg work to help you compare your best loan options and secure the one that’s right for you.
Want to find out more?
Feel free to call us at AgLend Finance any time for information about the type of loan products available and chat to us about which one will be right for you, considering the current interest rate environment, your needs, financial situation and goals.
