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Helpful Home Loan Terms

Basic variable rate loans

As it carries cheaper rates, this loan is the no frills option with less features than other loan packages, and is suitable for first home buyers who want to save more money.

Capital gain

An increase in the value of a capital asset (investment property) that gives it a higher worth than the purchase price.

Collateral

Something pledged as security for repayment of a loan, to be forfeited in the event of a default.

Construction lending

Is a sum of money that is loaned where the proceeds are used to finance construction to your land or property.

Equity

The monetary value of a property less the outstanding loan amount.

Fixed interest rate

A loan where the interest rate does not change for a specified period.

Interest only loans

Where for a set term, you pay only the interest on the principal balance, with the principal balance unchanged.

Interest rate

A percentage calculated against an amount of money that you borrow, and is paid as a fee for the use of that amount of money over time.

Investment loans
An amount you borrow specifically used for investment purposes.

Lenders Mortgage Insurance

A percentage against the amount you borrow if no or little deposit is paid by you (up to 20% of the property value). This amount is paid by you in order to pay for the lender’s.insurance to protect them in case you falter on your repayments.

Limited guarantor loan
When another person or family member puts up a property they own that they have equity in as security, allowing you to borrow up to 100% of the purchase price of a home without needing a deposit. This will also mean that you will avoid paying the LMI.

Line of credit

Drawn from the equity in your property or an agreed amount that your lender has approved. This means you can use just a portion of what you borrowed, and so you only pay interest on money actually withdrawn or used.

Low deposit loan
When you don’t have up to 20% of the value of a property as an initial down-payment to secure the purchase of that asset. A higher interest rate is usually charged.

Low doc loan
Where you do not need any supporting evidence, just a declaration from yourself and your accountant that you can afford to make repayments for the duration of the loan. This type of loan is suitable for those who are self-employed or have an irregular income.

Loan settlement
Refers to when your debt or loan has been paid in full.

Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR)
Expressed as a percentage, it refers to the amount of the loan against the value of the property purchased.

Negative gearing
A tax advantage calculated as a return from an investment property after maintenance and mortgage interest costs.

Non-bank lenders
Are lenders who do not hold an Australian banking licence and who do not represent a mutual bank, building society or a credit union. A non-bank lender usually sources their own wholesale funding and then lends out their funds making a margin on the difference.

Offset account

A savings account that is linked to a home loan. It reduces your interest payable because the interest is only charged on the net balance of your mortgage account minus your saving account.

Parental guarantee

Refers to when your parents or other family members help you secure a loan in your name by offering you to use the equity in their home for some or all of your loan.

Positive gearing

An increased income from the return of an investment property after maintenance and mortgage interest costs.

Pre-approval

A pending loan whereby the loan documents have passed and a loan is available when the borrower is ready to use it or purchase an asset.

Principal

Refers to the actual sum that you have borrowed or otherwise, the body of the loan. In contrast, the additional part you need to pay when you borrow money is the interest, which acts as a fee that is calculated as a percentage, usually against the original sum of the loan until the end of the term.

Principal and Interest

A loan where both principal and interest are paid together for an agreed amount of time, sometimes for the life of the loan.

Redraw facility

Where you can access additional payments you’ve made previously on a property purchased.

Limited guarantor loan

When another person or family member puts up a property they own that they have equity in as security, allowing you to borrow up to 100% of the purchase price of a home without needing a deposit. This will also mean that you will avoid paying the LMI.

Line of credit

Drawn from the equity in your property or an agreed amount that your lender has approved. This means you can use just a portion of what you borrowed, and so you only pay interest on money actually withdrawn or used.

Low deposit loan

When you don’t have up to 20% of the value of a property as an initial down-payment to secure the purchase of that asset. A higher interest rate is usually charged.

Low doc loan

Where you do not need any supporting evidence, just a declaration from yourself and your accountant that you can afford to make repayments for the duration of the loan. This type of loan is suitable for those who are self-employed or have an irregular income.

Loan settlement

Refers to when your debt or loan has been paid in full.

Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR)

Expressed as a percentage, it refers to the amount of the loan against the value of the property purchased.

Negative gearing

A tax advantage calculated as a return from an investment property after maintenance and mortgage interest costs.

Non-bank lenders

Are lenders who do not hold an Australian banking licence and who do not represent a mutual bank, building property valuer.

Refinancing

When you acquire a new loan to take over an older one for the same asset.

Rental yield

A measure of the percentage of income return you earn from your property.

Reverse mortgage

When retirees unlock the equity in their home and borrow against the value of their home and repay the loan when they sell their property.

Settlement date

The agreed date which the seller must deliver the property that was sold, and the buyer must pay the final amount that is owed.

Stamp duty

A State Government tax based calculated by a percentage against the monetary value of the property you purchase.

Standard variable rate loans [SVR)

Usually with a variety of features, including making extra repayments and redraw advance repayments, this type of loan is suitable for both investment and personal purposes.

Strata fees

When collective owners of a building pay a fee, usually quarterly, into an account that pays for the overall maintenance and other expenses related to the building.

Tax depreciation

Your property will depreciate in value as it gets older, as a result owners are able to claim a tax deduction.

Valuation

An estimation of the worth of a property, carried out by a professional.

Variable interest rate

A percentage charged against the sum of money borrowed as a fee paid at regular installments, that may increase or decrease according to the cash rate.

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