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Should I Fix My Home Loan Interest Rate

Posted September 21st, 2010 and last modified January 19th, 2012

When choosing a home loan it is very important that you get the right home loan. Each person will have different needs when they are paying off their home loans so it is very important to get the right one. Some people may want to get a fixed rate home loan. By fixing the interest rate on a home loan you will potentially save money if the interest rates rise. This article will explain whether you should fix or whether you should not fix by giving both sides of the argument.

Why Should you Fix

If you want to fix your home loan there can be many benefits. This section of the article will explain all the reasons that support fixing the interest rate:

  • Stability. One of the main reasons people will fix their home loans is for the stability. When you fix the interest rates you will know what your repayments will be and will know that they will not change during the fixed rate period.
  • Chance to save. The fixed interest rate loans also give the borrower a chance to save. If the interest rates rise dramatically during the fixed rate period you may be able to save a lot of money compared to choosing a variable rate loan.

Why not Fix

If you want to fix a home loan you should be aware of the disadvantages of fixing. This section of the article will explain all the reasons why you shouldn’t fix:

  • Flexibility. Most of the fixed rate loans come with little flexibility. You will usually not be able to pay extra onto the loan or anything like that. Be sure that you don’t plan on using these features if you fix a loan.
  • Will rates rise enough. You will save money on a fixed rate loan if the interest rates rise above what you are paying. However, if the rates do not rise enough then you will have paid too much onto the loan.
  • Break costs. If you want to leave a fixed rate loan you will have to pay break costs. Be sure you know what these fees are as they can be quite high and you may find yourself locked into an expensive loan. 

Are you Sure they will Rise

With fixed rate loans you are basically betting that the rates will rise. This section of the article will explain why you should be sure:

  • How sure are you. If you are unsure that the rates will raise then you may not want a fixed rate loan. If the rates do not rise you will have paid too much money onto the loan account during this time.
  • Split the loan. To hedge your bets and give yourself some peace of mind you may want to split the loan when you apply for a fixed rate. By splitting the loan you will fix part of the amount owing and leave the other part on a variable rate. By doing this you will still save money when rates rise but won’t lose as much money if they do not.

If you are considering fixing the interest rate of your home loan you will have to consider all the pros and cons. By fixing a home loan you will have stable repayments and you may save money. If you don’t fix the interest rate then you will you will have extra flexibility with your loan and may avoid getting into an expensive loan.


Related posts:

  1. Is Now the Time to Fix your Home Loan?
  2. How to Decide Whether to Break a Fixed Rate Loan
  3. 30 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan
  4. Fixed Versus Variable Rate – Which one to Choose?
  5. 15 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan
  6. IMB Fixed Rate Home Loan
  7. Fixing Home Loan Interest Rate-Is it worth it?
  8. Home Loan Interest Rates
  9. NAB Tailored Home Loan – Fixed Rate (Interest Only paid in arrears)
  10. Don’t Get Caught Out With Interest Rates Increases

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