Can I Refinance My Interest-Only or Fixed-Rate Mortgage?

If you’ve noticed interest rates are ultra-low at the moment, you’re not alone! Many homeowners are eyeing the rates and wondering if they could refinance their mortgage to get a better deal. Homeowners on an interest-only or fixed-rate mortgage may think they’ve lucked out, but that’s not necessarily the case. Any type of loan can be refinanced these days, but there’s a pitfall – fees could outweigh your potential savings. Read on to learn whether refinancing your interest-only or fixed-rate mortgage is the right option for you.

Interest-only mortgages

Interest-only home loans allow you to make repayments that cover just the interest on the loan. The interest can be either fixed or variable, and you pay it back for a set period – 5 years, for example.

During the set period, your regular mortgage repayments will be relatively low, leaving you with some extra cash. Sounds too good to be true, right? In a way it is. Since you don’t pay off the principal at this time, the amount of borrowed money doesn’t get any smaller.

Many property investors on the Sunshine Coast are happy with this type of loan because they typically put the property back on the market quite quickly, aiming to make a tidy profit. But for the average Australian homeowner, decreasing the balance on your loan is often a better option because you will gradually increase home equity over time.

Is it a good idea to refinance interest-only home loans?

Depending on whether your interest-only loan has a fixed or variable rate, refinancing to a new loan may or may not be a good idea.

Fixed rate loans

For fixed rate loans, break costs are a big issue. What are break costs? They’re a kind of penalty fee for closing a fixed rate loan before maturity. Different lenders use different formulas to calculate break costs. It’s not unusual for break costs to add up to thousands of dollars, meaning they can cancel out any savings you’d make by refinancing.

But don’t give up just yet. A mortgage broker specialising in refinancing can help you understand the true impact of break costs and whether refinancing your interest-only loan is worthwhile for your Queensland property.

Variable rate loans

When it comes to variable rate loans, the good news is that there are no break costs. But that doesn’t mean you’re completely off the hook when it comes to refinancing fees. There could be discharge fees on the existing loan and upfront fees on the new one. A professional mortgage broker will let you know where you stand and whether refinancing makes sense for your loan.

Get the advice of refinancing specialists

A home loan is a big commitment. Refinancing can make the journey cheaper and smoother – but only if the benefits of switching your loan outweigh the costs.

If you’re interested in refinancing your interest-only or fixed term home loan, contact the friendly, experienced mortgage brokers at Sunshine Coast Financial Solutions today. They’ll explain everything you need to know and help you find a refinancing solution that suits your personal situation.

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What our Clients Say

Sunshine Coast Financial Solutions - Mortgage BrokerExcellentSunshine Coast Financial Solutions - Mortgage Broker5.0 Based on 485 reviews fromSee all reviews review us onAimee BiceAimee Bice ★★★★★ I highly recommend Chris and his team @ SCF Solutions to anyone going through a divorce or any other life transition that involves financial decisions.Chris’s expertise, practical approach, and easy-going nature provided the clarity I needed to make informed decisions about my financial future. Chris’s open and honest manner empowered me with a strong understanding of my financial position and lending capability which eased the burden associated with the division of the matrimonial home. He treated me like a priority and provided valuable guidance and support every step of the way as I navigated through an emotionally challenging time.Communication during critical times in the process such as loan approval and settlement was outstanding, even when this fell over the Christmas/New Year period. Someone from his team was always available to answer any questions or concerns and provide reassurance when needed.Second time I have engaged Chris over the past 8 years, and I can proudly say I will remain a lifelong customer!If you want the best possible mortgage to suit your specific financial situation then you can’t go past Chris and his team.Jill EllisJill Ellis ★★★★★ Chris and his staff members are always very helpful and informative.Callum EllisCallum Ellis ★★★★★ Another brilliant experience with the SCFS team. Excellent from start to finish - thanks so much Chris and the team 👍Sophie FrohloffSophie Frohloff ★★★★★ Spoke to a few of the team at SCFS and couldn’t fault any of the staff! Most of our homeloan process was with Adam and he was exceptional, took extra time to explain whatever was needed in detail when it didn’t quite make sense to us. Great communication from the team, 100% recommend!Melissa FreemanMelissa Freeman ★★★★★ Excellent, thank youRyan76314Ryan76314 ★★★★★ My partner and I had Jo and Shanina from SCF help us with our home loan, everything was quick and effortless which is what we wanted. Highly recommend them!We also just had a 1 year review from Tracey and she ensured we were still getting the best rate :)Mark RussellMark Russell ★★★★★ AmyAmy ★★★★★ Chris and his team have helped me again to buy a property which was a stress free and quick process. I have complete trust in Chris and would highly recommend his business.BaykaiBaykai ★★★★★ Chris and the team have been very helpful throughout the process keeping me informed every step of the way.SCF saved me lots of money from my current loan and will keep an eye on it from now on.Well done teamDanica RizzoDanica Rizzo ★★★★★ Adam and the team made our process super easy and they were very helpful. Would definitely recommend them ☺️stacey angelidesstacey angelides ★★★★★ Chris and his team made financing our new home purchase a smooth process that left nothing to chance. With his support we were able to confidently bid on and secure our dream home and he made sure we had the very best deal we could achieve in record time.Chris coached us through each step and was always available to answer our questions and provide guidance when we needed it.Overall his team is professional, friendly, helpful and always approachable.We couldn't have achieved the result we did without his help and we would definitely use his services again.We can thoroughly recommend Sunshine Coats Financial Services and Chris Wilson to anyone looking to arrange their finance. You won't be disappointed!Tom PearceTom Pearce ★★★★★ Chris & the team have been fantastic from start to finish. Patient, professional & supportive throughout the whole property purchasing journey. They have gone above and beyond to help me into a property, I am very happy with my experience from start to finish. I can’t speak highly enough of their transparent and professional approach.Joy DyerJoy Dyer ★★★★★ Once again, Chris and the team at SCF have provided us with excellent service. They are professional, efficient and always available to answer questions and concerns. We would highly recommend them.Ersen TuzluErsen Tuzlu ★★★★★ I recently purchased my home using the SCF Solutions for my financial needs, and I must say that I had a fantastic experience. The person who handled all my transactions on my behalf, Daryl Hermann, was extremely meticulous and efficient. His attention to detail and promptness in completing all the necessary tasks left me truly grateful. I highly recommend SCF Solutions for anyone in need of financial services. Thank you, Daryl, and the entire team at SCF Solutions for your outstanding support!Alan MurrayAlan Murray ★★★★★ Chris and his team were absolutely fantastic.Clear and transparent from the start, SCF made the experience of buying our home seamless.Highly recommend SCF for your lending solutions.Craig JenkinsCraig Jenkins ★★★★★ So much thanks to Chris and the team at SCFS. We had a very difficult and compressed settlement subject to many finance extensions. The whole way through the journey the whole team were absolutely professional and got us into our new home.I Very highly recommend there services toAll.Your sincerelyCraig Jenkins & Katherine ThompsonJustin WijayaJustin Wijaya ★★★★★ Adam and the team at SCF have been fantastic in finalising my re-finance. Adam provided insightful knowledge on lenders that would be more suited to my situation and the best avenues to go forward with. He achieved my expected result within a really short timeframe. No question was too silly. Can’t recommend Adam enough.Amie FitzgeraldAmie Fitzgerald ★★★★★ The team were amazing to work with. They made the process so easy, kept us updated on the process and gave us multiple options to achieve our goals. Couldn’t recommend them enough!!Peter NotmanPeter Notman ★★★★★ Chris and the team make it so easy and hassle free. Cannot recommend them highly enough and wouldn't use anyone else apart from them.Candice ShippCandice Shipp ★★★★★ Chris is very professional and always does everything to help us out!Sonia LynchSonia Lynch ★★★★★ Chris and the team were fantastic in helping us get our mortgage for our first home in Australia. They helped us through the process and were supportive, attentive and helpful throughout the entire process. I would heartily recommend SCF!Elliot BakerElliot Baker ★★★★★ Chris was great to deal with, straight to the point and got what we needed done. Explains everything you need to know in detail.Extremely happy with the outcome 👌🏻Tony DavisTony Davis ★★★★★ I am a repeat client of Chris and his team. In every experience I have had has been 100% positive. Chris and his team do everything possible to make every step through the process explained and run smoothly. I highly recommend anyone looking to finance or refinance to talk to Sunshine Coast Financial Solutions.Sam McGuireSam McGuire ★★★★★ the scfs team were fantastic from start to finish in getting my new loan. Nothing was a problem for them. Getting everything sorted very fast. Very fast replies and always keeping you updated.I can't recommend daryl and the team enoughThanks againFleur BrennetFleur Brennet ★★★★★ Chris, Shanina and the rest of the team were so super helpful, understanding and really got the best rate for me! Not only that their communications were so clear, consistent and they were always available for help and advice! Would highly recommend to anyone!! Thank you team!!Daniel SwartDaniel Swart ★★★★★ SCFS have assisted us with brokerage a few of times now and Chris, Matt, Shanina and the team have been fantastic every time!Brooke ThomasBrooke Thomas ★★★★★ We recently worked with Chris and his exceptional team. The experience was nothing short of magical – the team worked seamlessly to navigate the complex world of mortgages. Their expertise and dedication made the entire process smooth, leaving us thoroughly impressed. I highly recommend this team for anyone in need of mortgage assistance.Jarryd duffyJarryd duffy ★★★★★ Another positive experience with Chris and the team. We won't go anywhere else after dealing with Sunshine Coast Financial. Honesty and transparency as always.Teagen AllisonTeagen Allison ★★★★★ A huge thank you to Chris and the team who helped us secure a loan in only 2 days.We sent the enquiry last Monday and by Wednesday had the approval.Chris and the team even managed to secure us a better interest rate.Incredible service as always. Hassle free and such an easy process.We cannot recommend enough.Matthew TerrillMatthew Terrill ★★★★★ Proactive and excellent to deal with, would recommend highly to anyone.CSCS ★★★★★ Daryl helped with refinancing my home loan. The whole process was quick, seamless and very professional. I would highly recommend SCFS for their services and diligent work.Simon RoperSimon Roper ★★★★★ Chris and his team are consummate professionals, with incredible knowledge of the finance industry. Found us the best deal quickly and had approval in record time. These guys are a must if you want finance without fuss. We cannot speak highly enough of this Company.Luke RyanLuke Ryan ★★★★★ Chris and his team went above and beyond. We were first time home buyers and knew nothing about mortgages and the purchasing process. The process was made simple and stress free by the SCFS team.We purchased a property just before Christmas and Chris & his team were prompt and efficient and worked hard to make sure everything got over the line before the holiday period hit.I can confidently recommend their services. The real bonus here is that this is all at no cost to the purchaser. I will be using SCFS for any future loans and recommend their services without hesitation. Get around it and give them a call.Janine JGJanine JG ★★★★★ Chris and all the team at Sunshine Coast financial solutions have been absolutely fantastic. I cannot fault their service, professionalism and assistance with all my financial needs when I was obtaining finance.. refinancing and buying land. I'm not savvy at all in the finance area so the staff were incredibly helpful and highly efficient at getting me all the information I needed and helped me to understand what I was doing. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs help in this area. Thanks to Shanina especially... You really know your stuff and I couldn't have done all of this without you.Emily HallEmily Hall ★★★★★ My partner and I recently worked with Daryl, Chris and the team at SFC solutions and I just have to rave about them! They made the whole mortgage process a breeze. From the moment I reached out, they were super responsive and attentive to all my questions. They really took the time to understand my financial situation and goals, which made me feel confident in their expertise. They guided me through each step, explaining everything in simple terms. I couldn't believe how smoothly everything went. Working with Daryl, Chris and the team took the stress of being first time buyers away. If you're in the market for a mortgage, I highly recommend giving them a call. They're the best!Sarah FairleySarah Fairley ★★★★★ The team were fantastic. We got an appt the next day and they started working on getting us finance straight away. Such good communication, so friendly and went the extra mile for us, definitely recommend!!Des EichmannDes Eichmann ★★★★★ Damon AveryDamon Avery ★★★★★ That's team,Made it so easy, great communication, will be back when we need to refinance again!!!Tiaki ChaplinTiaki Chaplin ★★★★★ Thank you Chris & Team! You’ve done it again. It’s been 2 years since we first approached Chris at SCFS to assist us with remortgaging our home at the time which he did and we had an exceptional experience. We have since moved entering the market again recently and we would never go anywhere else, this time is no exception to the last - another exceptional experience. Chris and his team are so professional, incredibly efficient and extremely knowledgeable not to mention down to earth. I would recommend Chris and his team at SCFS to anyone requiring mortgage assistance and I would even go as far as to say that you’re mad if you don’t. Thank you for making our dreams come true, yet again. So bloody grateful guys! Thank you! 🙏kelvin scottkelvin scott ★★★★★ Chris, Matt and the team at Sunshine Coast Financial Solutions were incredible throughout the whole process! Guided us through step by step and we're happy to answer any questions and give advice. Super quick to respond and reassured us confidently as we navigated applying for a home loan.tisa imlachtisa imlach ★★★★★ We have been using Joanne from SCF Solutions for a number of years for all of our mortgage services. Joanne always goes above and beyond, ensuring a smooth and efficient process. We recommend her services to everyone we know looking for mortgage solutions. 10/10 for service, friendliness, security and trustworthy communication.H PettyH Petty ★★★★★ Highly recommend. Excellent customer service.Ika AlbersIka Albers ★★★★★ My partner and I are first home buyers and new to the country. Navigating this landscape therefore was extremely unfamiliar territory for us hence looking for support. After a google search and reading through the reviews it was a no brainer to give these guys a call. And I can confirm everything that has been shared in other 5 start reviews. Chris and Daryl have been supporting us through our Journey and they have helped us with everything and anything. Answering many, many.... many questions, being incredibly patient and superb in their followup. As we have one foreign income in our household some things were a bit tricky when it came to finding bank for a mortgage. Chris has helped us tremendously (and still does) along this confusing journey of buying a house. They never forgot about us and have been on the ball from the get go. The conversations where light, informative and always clear. We also had a few laughs along the way, making it even more of a pleasure to work with them.I wholeheartedly recommend Sunshine Coast Financial Solutions. Give them a ring and you'll experience it for yourself.David UprichardDavid Uprichard ★★★★★ Chris and the team were a pleasure to work with and were very efficient and helpful with every step of the way.Louise OwenLouise Owen ★★★★★ SCF have been incredible during the process of buying our first home. They went above and beyond to make sure everything went perfectly and made sure we received the outcome we wanted. They were quick and responsive and gave great financial advice. We will be recommending to all our family and friends. Thanks Chris and team!Daynah LawrenceDaynah Lawrence ★★★★★ Chris and the team at scf are fantastic, I can't speak highly enough of them. My husband and I were first home buyers and Chris was completely transparent with us the whole way. They also worked very first as our situation was time sensitive. We could thank the team enough for making things happen for us, and securing a great rate. We have snd will continue to recommend scf to people. Thanks again.Casey HenslerCasey Hensler ★★★★★ Huge thank you to Joanne at SCFS! She was our saving grace when going through the process of buying and searching for property. She made it clear and easy to understand our budget and made the process of obtaining finance a breeze! Joanne is so polite and lovely, and made our experience with SCFS easy and enjoyable! We will be using her again in the future!Patrick ConwayPatrick Conway ★★★★★ Thanks to Chris, Matt & Shanina on helping us get our first home on the coast. Such a relief to finally get finance, being a sub contractor FIFO worker makes it tough getting finance. Chris and the team were great every step of the way. Highly recommend, cannot thank them enough!Cameron PrichardCameron Prichard ★★★★★ Chris and the team were awesome every step of the way. Always happy to return emails or calls even when out of office hours. Buying our first property we were nervous & stressed but the team made us feel comfortable and made the experience stress free would highly recommend to anyone needing there assistance.Meer DeeMeer Dee ★★★★★ Fantasticjs_loader