Refinancing your home loan can be a great opportunity to secure a better interest rate and assist with cashflow. However, it’s important to understand the associated costs to avoid any surprises. Here’s a breakdown:
PS – some lenders are offering thousands of dollars in cash backs to refinance to a new lender – generally based-on on a minimum loan amount and other criteria. As a broker I compare all costs including cash back to provide the recommended lender/s.
Closing Costs
- Break Cost: If you exit a fixed home loan early, there might be a break fee from your current lender, reflecting potential losses. This cost can vary based on factors such as the remaining term of your fixed rate, current interest rates, and others.
- Discharge Fee: Switching lenders? Your current lender may charge a fee for closing out your existing mortgage. This fee generally covers administrative tasks like handling paperwork and releasing liens.
New Loan Costs
- Mortgage Registration Fee: Both your current and new lenders may impose fees to register and deregister your mortgage, with the amount varying by state.
- Application Fee: The new lender may charge a fee for processing your application. This is typically a one-time expense.
- Refinance Settlement Fee: This fee covers legal and administrative costs associated with finalising your refinance.
- Property Valuation Fee: Property valuation usually costs between $300 to $600, although many lenders offer a free initial valuation.
- Title Search Fee: Your new lender will conduct a title registry search to ensure a clear title on the property, checking for any potential issues.
- Good News: Not every lender will charge all these fees!
Understanding these costs is crucial for making an informed decision. It’s all about ensuring your new loan aligns perfectly with your financial needs and goals
