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Why 7 in 10 Borrowers Choose Mortgage Brokers & Why You Should Too

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Why Are More Australians Choosing Mortgage Brokers?

Did you know that mortgage brokers facilitated 73.7% of all new home loans in Australia during the June 2024 quarter? Refinancing is one of the key reasons borrowers choose brokers, as it ensures a streamlined process and expert advice. Here’s why working with a mortgage broker might be the smartest move for your finances.

1. Professional Guidance You Can Trust

During challenging economic times, having a trusted advisor can make all the difference. Mortgage brokers are finance specialists bound by a best interests duty—meaning we’re legally required to prioritize your needs. We simplify the complexities of home loans, matching your financial situation and goals with the right loan product.

2. A Simplified Refinancing Process

Refinancing doesn’t have to be daunting.
Mortgage brokers handle lender negotiations, manage paperwork, and provide ongoing support throughout the entire process. Instead of wading through tedious details alone, you’ll have a dedicated professional guiding you every step of the way.

3. Tailored Finance Solutions

Every borrower is different, so a one-size-fits-all loan simply doesn’t work. Whether you need an offset account, redraw facility, or a no-frills loan, we’ll recommend options that suit your unique needs—without upselling unnecessary extras.

4. Access to a Broad Panel of Lenders

Banks offer their own limited range of products. Mortgage brokers compare hundreds of loans from various lenders, including major banks, second-tier lenders, and non-bank options. With a broad panel of choices, we ensure you get a competitive deal aligned with your financial goals.

5. A Holistic Financial Approach

Unlike banks, which focus solely on the present, brokers consider your full financial picture—both now and in the future. Whether you’re consolidating debt, unlocking equity, or planning for future investments, our recommendations are designed to support your broader aspirations.

Top Reasons to Refinance Your Home Loan

Haven’t reviewed your mortgage recently? Refinancing could help you:

  • Secure a lower interest rate.
  • Gain access to features like offset accounts or redraw facilities.
  • Unlock equity for renovations or investments.
  • Consolidate multiple debts into one manageable payment.

Why Wait? Explore Your Options Now!

With interest rates expected to shift in early 2025, now is the perfect time to evaluate your loan. Whether you’re after better rates, more features, or long-term financial flexibility, we’ll help you find the right solution.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to review your mortgage and discover how refinancing can work for you!

Understand What You Can Borrow

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When you’re applying for a loan, it may be tempting just to speak to the financial institution you already bank with. The mortgage market remains highly competitive and it pays to seek alternatives.

Better still, consider using the services of a mortgage broker. A good mortgage broker has access to a panel of lenders and knows their lending application processes.

This will save you time and money and give you the best chance of getting the best possible loan when you need it. They will also be able to advise you on which loan is right for you, given your own personal circumstances.

Carl Thompson – Commercial Lending Specialist, Strategic Investor Group

Big Banks Royal Commission Jitters

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Australia’s big four banks continue to manage multiple challenges including falling house prices, a regulatory backlash sparked by the royal commission, and higher funding costs.

A further challenge is that international funding costs have been creeping up in recent months – a trend likely to cost banks hundreds of millions if they are not passed on to customers.

Issues raised by the royal commission will make it much harder for major banks to raise their interest rates independently of the Reserve Bank. At some stage, however, an economic decision will need to be made.

How are you placed should interest rates rise sooner rather than later?

Carl Thompson – Commercial Lending Specialist, Strategic Investor Group

How prepared are you for your property purchase?

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A combination of factors are behind the movement in the Sydney property market, including:

  • Investors and those looking for interest-only loans finding it more difficult to get finance, as banks have tightened their lending criteria due to pressure from regulators,
  • Tougher restrictions being imposed on foreign buyers by the government,
  • Rising levels of housing supply, and
  • Buyers with more realistic price expectations.

If you’re looking to take advantage of current market conditions to get into the property market speak to Strategic Investor Group today.

Carl Thompson – Commercial Lending Specialist, Strategic Investor Group

How prepared are you for your property purchase?

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Eighteen per cent of Australian bidders have failed to get pre-approved finance prior to attending an auction, a new study has revealed.

According to a recent YouGov Galaxy poll, nearly one in five adults in Australia failed to secure finance before buying at auction.

Given it takes time to seek and be granted pre-approval it is important to seek professional advice as early as possible.

Buyers need to determine how much they can borrow and gain certainty that they are being realistic with their expectations.

Pre-approval is an indication from a lender that they feel comfortable lending a set amount of money to a potential buyer. It puts the buyer ahead of the game and strengthens their position when negotiating a purchase.

Carl Thompson – Commercial Lending Specialist, Strategic Investor Group

Is your loan structured correctly?

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The Reserve Bank has left the official cash interest rate on hold at 1.5 per cent for the 20th month in a row.

It is “universally anticipated” that the RBA won’t move on rates in the immediate future.

Most economists only expect one rate rise this year and 10 out of 24 analysts expect rates to remain on hold into 2019, and potentially beyond.

It is important to remain fully informed, and understand your options, by reviewing your individual circumstances today.

Carl Thompson – Commercial Lending Specialist, Strategic Investor Group

Location, Location, Location

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Sydney has the nation’s most evenly distributed new apartment market – putting it at less risk of inner-city oversupply – according to the 2018 UDIA State of the Land Report.

Just over a fifth of new Sydney unit completions (apartments, townhouses and terraces) were within five kilometres of the city centre in 2017 compared with almost half of all Melbourne unit completions – the country’s fastest-growing apartment market – the report found.

A third of new Sydney units were within 5 to 10 kilometres of the CBD, 28 per cent of completions were 10 to 20 kilometres out and 18 per cent of completions were as far as 50 kilometres from the centre of town.

Obtaining industry best advice is essential prior to making any potential property investment decision.

Carl Thompson – Commercial Lending Specialist, Strategic Investor Group

Sydney’s next wave of change: $87bn of Infrastructure Projects

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Sydney will be a 30-minute city by 2056. The NSW government recently announced a 3-city plan.

The next 10 years will see a significant shift in the City. Sydney’s new Greater Sydney Commission is preparing Sydney for the next wave of change – the creation of three separate cities; the Eastern City – with Sydney CBD as its focus, the Central City with Parramatta as its focus, and the Western City with the Western Sydney Airport as its focus.

These cities will be fully functioning cities connected by major infrastructure projects by 2056.

Understanding of each of these infrastructure projects in Sydney and the key drivers for business and commerce in each of the three cities is key to understanding the future property investment options across the region.

Ensure you speak to a professional today regarding any potential property investment decision.

Carl Thompson – Commercial Lending Specialist, Strategic Investor Group

Property Investment – Timing is everything

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The market waits for no one. It will go up or down with or without you as an investor.

An experienced independent advisor will ensure you won’t buy the wrong asset, wait too long or pay too much.

Whilst it may seem like you’re paying more upfront, having professional advice in the early stages, will ensure that you come out financially on top in the long run.

Remember, the price is what you pay but the value is what you get.

Property is a forgiving asset and you can mitigate the perceived risk largely by ensuring you buy the right property and take a long-term view.

Carl Thompson – Commercial Lending Specialist, Strategic Investor Group

Housing investor loan cap ‘reaching end of useful life’: APRA

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The banking regulator has signalled it could ditch its 10 per cent cap on lending to property investors as the measure is “probably reaching the end of its useful life”.

Smaller lenders have criticised the 10 per cent cap for holding back competition.

The marketplace would welcome APRA addressing the cap’s current settings in order to improve competition, which will ultimately benefit the consumer.

Under pressure from regulators, banks have also in recent years overhauled their systems for assessing customers’ incomes, their debts, their cost of living, and their sensitivity to higher interest rates.

Now is the perfect time to seek professional advice if you are considering property investment.

Carl Thompson – Commercial Lending Specialist, Strategic Investor Group