Should I go fixed or all variable?

Discussion in 'Loans & Mortgage Brokers' started by Zammy, 5th Mar, 2021.

Join Australia's most dynamic and respected property investment community
Tags:
  1. Zammy

    Zammy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    27th May, 2018
    Posts:
    103
    Location:
    Sydney
    I'm about to enter into a loan agreement for my first home which is a 2 loan (land and construction). My broker has suggested me to go all fixed for 4 years. Is this good advice? LVR 80%
     
    Last edited: 5th Mar, 2021
  2. Peter_Tersteeg

    Peter_Tersteeg Mortgage Broker Business Member

    Joined:
    18th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    8,171
    Location:
    03 9877 3000
    Fixed rates are very cheap right now, I think it's unlikely that variable rates will drop below the current fixed rates.

    However there are restrictions on fixed rates that might not suit your circumstances.

    Can't really give you a good answer because we've no context on your circumstances to answer the question. You should ask the broker for the reasons they're making the recommendations and why it's relevant to your situation.
     
    Lindsay_W likes this.
  3. Shazz@

    Shazz@ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    24th Jun, 2018
    Posts:
    1,310
    Location:
    NSW
    4 years is a long time...
     
    MC1 and Terry_w like this.
  4. Rolf Latham

    Rolf Latham Inciteful (sic) Staff Member Business Plus Member

    Joined:
    14th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    10,653
    Location:
    Gold Coast (Australia Wide)
    That will make it impossible to use an active debt recycle strategy to pay the property off more quickly.

    What are YOUR goals and objectives with the debt that the broker has made that recommendation towards ?

    ta
    rolf
     
  5. Tony Xia

    Tony Xia Structured Loan Advisor Business Member

    Joined:
    23rd Aug, 2015
    Posts:
    1,575
    Location:
    Bella Vista
    Well depends on your cashflow, how much you can pay down on your fixed loan per year and does the product allow you to redraw from a fixed rate product if you go all fixed.


    You'd want to leave a portion of it variable.
     
  6. skyfall

    skyfall Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    19th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    289
    Location:
    Great Britain
    I would probably fix for 1-2 years if the spread between fixed and variable is more than 0.6-0.8%
     
  7. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    18th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    14,015
    Location:
    Brisbane
    Maybe consider fixing part of the loan.

    We have seven loans, all fixed for two years. We can deposit up to $30k into each loan without triggering a break situation.

    We aren't going to have that much lazy cash within two years so it is a safe option for us to fix. And we made sure the one house we may sell was released from the security held by the bank, so we can still go ahead and sell if we want to without engaging with the bank to release the security.

    I don't know that I'd want to fix for four years. A lot can happen in four years.
     
    Terry_w and Stoffo like this.
  8. Property Baron

    Property Baron Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    5th May, 2019
    Posts:
    1,448
    Location:
    NSW
    Especially if as some have suggested interest may rise
     
  9. 007forever

    007forever Member

    Joined:
    18th Oct, 2020
    Posts:
    11
    Location:
    Sydney
    My lender is suggesting 5 yr and I will take it. it will be very good for the cashflow for sure
     
  10. Rolf Latham

    Rolf Latham Inciteful (sic) Staff Member Business Plus Member

    Joined:
    14th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    10,653
    Location:
    Gold Coast (Australia Wide)
    5 years fixed on what logical basis for your personal circumstances ?

    ta
    rolf
     
  11. 007forever

    007forever Member

    Joined:
    18th Oct, 2020
    Posts:
    11
    Location:
    Sydney
    Both logical and personal. I can free up cash to invest in other stuff that will generate more than 3%, and I also believe the interest rates have bottomed.
     
  12. Rolf Latham

    Rolf Latham Inciteful (sic) Staff Member Business Plus Member

    Joined:
    14th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    10,653
    Location:
    Gold Coast (Australia Wide)
    cools

    What will you invest in ?

    3 % for owner occ debt seems steep though ?

    ta
    rolf
     
  13. Trainee

    Trainee Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    24th May, 2017
    Posts:
    10,343
    Location:
    Australia
    if ppor the interest is not deductible, while the investment return you get might be taxable.