Exit Costs when Refinancing
Here at Astute St Leonards, we have just completed a refinance for a client where we moved two fixed rate loans into a cheaper package. This raised the issues of exit costs and break fees because refinancing can be a great way to save money if you believe you are paying too much for your loan. However, there is more to it than just finding a loan with a lower interest rate and making the change. Before making the switch, ensure the savings you could make outweigh the fees involved. Here are the different exit costs to consider when refinancing:
Exit Fee
Although loans taken out after 1st July 2011 are not subject to deferred establishment, known as “exit” fees, those taken out prior may still be subjected to this fee. Also known as “early termination” or “early discharge” fees, they can sometimes be paid by your new lender but are normally applied to an early contract exit. We will assess whether your loan has exit fees applied or not.
Establishment Fee
Also known as “application“, “up-front” or “set-up” fees, these cover the lender’s cost of preparing the necessary documents for your new home loan. They are payable on most new loans, and the alternative to not paying this particular fee is being charged higher ongoing fees or even a higher rate for the life of the loan.
Mortgage Discharge Fee
Covering your early legal release from all mortgage obligations, this fee is not to be confused with an exit fee. Also known as a “settlement” or “termination” fee, its purpose is to compensate your lender for the revenue it may lose due to the contract break.
Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI)
This non-transferrable premium means that if you hold less than 20 per cent equity at the time of your refinance, you may have to pay LMI even if you paid it on the original loan. Extra care is also needed here because, whether or not you hold 20% of the original valuation of the property, you may not if the property’s value has decreased and while LMI may not have been a consideration at all in the original loan, it may be payable on the refinance.
Stamp Duty
If your purpose for making the switch is to increase your loan amount – maybe to fund renovations – then stamp duty will apply only to the difference between the original loan amount and the refinanced loan amount. Different rules apply in different States, so it’s worth speaking with us to see if this charge applies.
Other Government Charges
Fees are applied for the registration and deregistration of a mortgage so that all claims on a property can be checked by any future buyers. Varying from State to State, these can potentially add up to $1,000 or more, so it is important to review the whole package before making the decision to refinance.
Break Fee
If you were on a fixed rate loan, your lender is likely to charge you a fee for ‘breaking’ out of the loan term. This fee varies depending on the amount owed, the interest rate you were locked into, the current interest rate and the duration of your loan. Each lender will have an algorithm to define this fee and it may not be easily defined without help.
In Summary
Although some of these fees can be negotiated by a broker, the total cost can be substantial. At Astute St Leonards, we can ensure that refinancing will help you achieve your goals while maintaining your capacity to service the debt. We will ensure you are only paying the relevant fees for your unique circumstance.
