Refinancing can be a great way to save money if you believe you are paying too much for your loan but 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:

Exit Fee

Although loans are taken out after 1 July 2011 are not subject to a deferred establishment or exit fees, those taken out prior may still be. 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.

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 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)

The 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 per cent 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.

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 $500 or more.

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.

Although some of these fees can be negotiated by a broker, the total cost can be substantial. Smartline Rockingham mortgage advisers can ensure that refinancing will help you achieve your goals while maintaining your capacity to service the debt and can also ensure you are only paying the relevant fees for your unique circumstance.

Exit Costs When Refinancing