
Why Would You Refinance? A Tradie’s Guide
You wouldn’t hammer a nail with the screwdriver. The right tool for one job, is not going to work for another. When the job requirements change, you pick up another set of tools. It’s the same with home loans. If your circumstances change, finding a new loan that works for you just makes sense.
It’s not simply about snagging a lower interest rate – there are lots of reasons to refinance your home loan. A well negotiated refinancing option can enhance your cash flow, minimise debt, and help you pay off your loan faster.
Interestingly, it also opens up a pathway to financial resources you might not have tapped into otherwise, sometimes without altering your payment scheme or extending your loan term.
4 big reasons to refinance:
Change Loan Terms
Life changes constantly, and it’s safe to say that your financial situation at the start of your loan might have changed significantly, even in a short period of time. Maybe your business has grown, or perhaps you’re eyeing a more disciplined repayment schedule. Refinancing allows you to renegotiate your loan terms to better align with your current circumstances and goals.
Maybe you want to change the repayment frequency or length of your loan. Refinancing gives you that crucial flexibility without compromising your financial stability.
Repayment frequency:
For some loans, such as interest only or fixed-rate loans, lenders can be less than flexible about how frequently you make repayments, or even restrict your ability to make extra or lump sum repayments. Changing to a loan that lets you increase the frequency of repayments can make a significant difference to the length of your loan and possible interest savings.
Length of loan:
If your income has increased since you started the loan and you can afford higher repayments, then it makes sense to refinance to a shorter loan term.
Refinance
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This will reduce interest payments and can save you a lot of money over the course of the loan. On the other hand, you might extend your loan term if you wish to lower your repayments and make your loan more manageable.
Access Equity
Your hard work over the years does more than just pay the bills—it builds equity in your assets. Refinancing provides a golden opportunity to access this equity, turning it into a usable resource for a variety of financial goals. Whether you’re aiming to invest in new tools, expand your business, or even fund a personal project, tapping into your equity can give you the financial boost you need without the drawbacks of altering your loan repayments or elongating the loan’s lifespan.
Combine Your Debts
Juggling multiple debts is often part and parcel of running a business. Refinancing presents an elegant solution to this jigsaw puzzle by consolidating your debts into a single, more manageable loan.
Essentially, you are rolling debts such as car loans, personal loans, even credit card debt, into a home loan. This is simpler to manage, limits account fees, and, importantly, the interest rate on a home loan is likely to be lower than the rate for other types of debt – which could mean a reduction in your overall monthly repayments.
This process can significantly lower your monthly outgoings and streamline your finances, allowing for a clearer path to becoming debt-free and reducing the overall strain on your cash flow.
Fixed Rate Loan Term is Ending Soon
If the end of your fixed-rate loan term is on the horizon, refinancing can safeguard you against potential fluctuations in interest rates. Locking in another fixed-rate term can provide peace of mind and predictability in your financial planning, which is invaluable for anyone in the trades and self-employment sectors where income can sometimes be variable. Or you might prefer the flexibility of a variable loan or split loan. Either way, getting your loan re-shaped to suit you is a vital part of controlling your finances.
Regaining Control of Financial Future
Ultimately, the decision to refinance pivots around maintaining control of your financial future.
It paves the way for new possibilities, from being able to invest back into your business to enjoying the freedom that comes with reduced financial pressure. If you’re striving to make the most of your hard-earned money, refinancing is not just a topic for consideration, or something you do only once in the life of your home loan; it’s a strategy to help you ensure your financial trajectory is always aiming upwards.
It’s not just about a better interest rate—it’s about reshaping your financial landscape to suit your current needs and future aspirations.