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Refinance guides
Plain-English guides on refinance, written and reviewed by the team at Finance Lab.
Guides in this topic
14 guidesWhat is the serviceability buffer?
The serviceability buffer is the safety margin lenders add to your interest rate. See how APRA's 3 percentage point buffer affects borrowing and refinancing.
Read the guide RefinanceLVR Refinancing: How Your Loan-to-Value Ratio Affects a Switch
LVR refinancing explained. How your loan-to-value ratio is worked out when you refinance, why the 80% mark matters, and what it may mean for LMI and your rate.
Read the guide RefinanceSwitching Home Loan Lenders: How It Works and When It Pays Off
Switching home loan lenders may lower your rate, but the costs can outweigh the savings. How to change home loan lender, what it costs, and when it pays off.
Read the guide RefinanceShould I Refinance My Home Loan? How to Decide
Should I refinance my home loan? Learn the break-even test, the switching costs, and when refinancing may pay off. Outcomes depend on your circumstances.
Read the guide RefinanceRefinancing Checklist: What to Work Through Before You Switch Home Loans
Use this refinancing checklist before you switch home loans: compare switching costs, check your equity and LMI, weigh features, and run the numbers first.
Read the guide RefinanceRefinance Serviceability, Explained: Can You Afford to Switch?
Refinance serviceability is the lender test of whether you can afford a new home loan. See what lenders assess, the buffer, and if you can afford to refinance.
Read the guide RefinanceThe Refinance Process Steps, Explained From Start to Finish
Follow the refinance process steps in order: ask your lender, check equity and LMI, add up switching costs, compare on the comparison rate, check the term.
Read the guide RefinanceRefinancing Mistakes to Avoid When You Switch Home Loans
The common refinancing mistakes to avoid before you switch home loans: counting switching costs, loan term, LMI and credit, so you can decide with eyes open.
Read the guide RefinanceHow to Refinance a Home Loan in Adelaide
Thinking about a refinance home loan Adelaide move? Compare the switching costs, the LMI and equity rules, and how to check whether it stacks up for you.
Read the guide RefinanceRefinance Cashback Explained: How These Offers Really Work
Refinance cashback explained: see how cashback offers work, how to weigh a home loan cashback against the rate and fees, and the costs it needs to cover.
Read the guide RefinanceIs Refinancing Worth It? How to Weigh the Maths
Is refinancing worth it? Learn the break-even maths, the switching costs, and when refinancing your home loan may pay off. Outcomes depend on your situation.
Read the guide RefinanceHow a Mortgage Broker Refinance Works and Helps You Switch
A mortgage broker refinance lets a broker compare lenders, handle the paperwork and check if switching your home loan may leave you better off. How it works.
Read the guide RefinanceHome Loan Rate Review: How to Check You Are Not Overpaying
A home loan rate review checks whether your interest rate still stacks up. How to check your rate, what to compare, and when an annual mortgage review helps.
Read the guide RefinanceDocuments needed to refinance your home loan
Documents needed to refinance a home loan: ID, income, your current mortgage statements, other debts and equity a new lender may ask you to provide to switch.
Read the guideReady to talk it through?
See how refinance applies to your situation. There is no cost to chat and no obligation to proceed.
This information is general only and does not constitute personal financial or credit advice. Finance Lab, Australian Credit Licence 389328.