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Home loan calculations
When selecting the best home loan for your circumstances, taking some smart steps early could potentially save you thousands of dollars over the life of the home loan.
To determine what you can comfortably afford to borrow, begin your search with RateCity’s home loan calculator and other budget planners. The government’s Money Smart website offers a great budgeting tool that covers every aspect of life’s expenses – even entertainment costs!
RateCity’s best home loan calculator makes it easy to compare home loans, just enter the amount that you wish to borrow and the calculator will provide a monthly repayment figure from a number of different home loan lenders.
In addition to entering a dollar amount into the home loan calculator, you can also experiment with making ‘extra’ and ‘lump sum’ repayments. By calculating the potential interest you might save by making additional payments, you’ll not only shave years off the home loan’s lifespan, but also potentially save plenty of coin that would otherwise find its way into your lender’s pockets.
Accelerate your repayments
One way to save on interest is by making extra repayments. By using RateCity’s best home loan calculator, you can calculate the difference that small payments can make over the term of a home loan. To experience the maximum financial impact on the interest, ideally start by making early payments from day one.
Lump sum payments
Paying a lump sum such as your annual tax refund or salary bonus, can also help reduce the extra interest you might pay over the life of the home loan. However, ensure that your lender offers a ‘redraw facility’ or ‘mortgage offset account’, so you can access this money in an emergency.
Shorten your loan
The standard home loan term in Australia is usually 25 or 30 years. However by taking out a loan for a shorter term, say for 20 years, it’s possible to shave the overall interest you’ll pay. Be aware that the shorter the home loan is, the higher the regular repayments will be – and this is where a budget comes in.
Begin down the path of home ownership by working out your home loan budget with the home loan calculator and compare some great Australian home loans in one place.
Disclaimer
This article is over two years old, last updated on March 12, 2012. While RateCity makes best efforts to update every important article regularly, the information in this piece may not be as relevant as it once was. Alternatively, please consider checking recent home loans articles.
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Product database updated 24 Apr, 2024
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