Resources

Why refinance?
Buying property
Your borrowing power
Property investing
Personal loans
Debt consolidation

Why refinance?

Considering Refinancing? Here's What You Should Know

Refinancing is a key consideration for anyone with an existing loan. Over time, your financial needs and the lending market can change, which may present opportunities to reassess your loan and ensure it continues to align with your goals.

At its core, refinancing is about understanding your options and ensuring your loan structure still suits your circumstances. It can also provide a pathway to improve financial flexibility, adjust loan features, or consolidate other debts under one repayment.

Refinancing is commonly associated with home and investment property loans, but it can also apply to personal or car loans depending on your individual situation.

Why Consider a Refinance?

People refinance for a variety of reasons, including:

Aligning their loan with changing financial circumstances
Accessing available equity for home improvements or future investments
Simplifying repayments by consolidating other debts
Reviewing loan terms or product features

Every scenario is unique, which is why it's important to speak with a qualified lending specialist who can assess your needs and provide guidance based on current market offerings.

What You Might Expect

While refinancing may lead to savings or incentives, outcomes depend on multiple factors including loan size, lender policies, credit history, and the product selected. Some lenders may offer cashback promotions at settlement or cover certain refinancing costs—these vary and are subject to eligibility criteria.

It's generally not recommended to refinance too frequently, as this can impact your credit profile. Having a structured refinance strategy—reviewed every few years—can help ensure your loan continues to meet your objectives without unnecessary risk.

A Strategic Approach to Property Goals

Refinancing can also support long-term wealth-building strategies when used appropriately. For example, accessing equity from your existing property may help fund an investment or renovation—provided the structure and affordability align with your financial plan.

At Refinancer, we work with clients to develop long-term lending strategies. This includes structuring loans with care, reviewing products regularly, and helping navigate the process from start to finish.

Supporting Financial Wellbeing

Whether your focus is lowering repayments, unlocking equity, or simplifying your financial obligations, we're here to help. Our specialists handle both everyday and complex scenarios, and we're committed to providing clear, tailored guidance that supports informed financial decisions.

Let’s explore your options together.

Buying property

Thinking About Buying a Property? Here's What to Know

For many Australians, purchasing a home is a major milestone—and it’s one that deserves careful planning and professional support.

Whether you’re buying to live in or as an investment, getting the right advice from the beginning can help ensure you’re informed, prepared, and confident in your decisions.

Why Finance Should Come First

Before you start searching for a property, it’s important to understand your borrowing capacity and loan options. Getting pre-approved gives you clarity on your budget and can help you act quickly when the right opportunity presents itself.

Loan criteria and lending policies have evolved, and working with a mortgage broker can help you navigate those changes. A pre-approval is not a commitment to a loan, but it’s a valuable step toward being purchase-ready.

What Type of Property Should You Consider?

The right property depends on your personal goals. Are you looking for a long-term home, a lifestyle location, or a potential investment?

There are many property types to choose from—established homes, new builds, house-and-land packages, apartments, and more. Our team can help you consider all the key factors, including location, future use, ongoing costs, and potential for growth.

We aim to support you with a balanced perspective—whether you're focused on lifestyle, investment, or a combination of both.

Understanding the Costs Involved

Besides your deposit and the loan itself, there are several other costs you’ll want to plan for:

Stamp Duty: This government charge varies depending on your state, the purchase price, and your buyer status. It’s important to use a reliable calculator or seek guidance to get an accurate estimate.
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI): If your deposit is below 20%, your lender may require LMI. This is a one-off premium that protects the lender, not the borrower, and can often be added to your loan amount. The smaller your deposit, the higher the LMI is likely to be.
Lender Fees: These may include application or establishment fees and ongoing annual package fees. We’ll walk you through all associated costs so you’re not caught off guard.

What Is a Comparison Rate?

A comparison rate combines the loan's interest rate with many of its standard fees, aiming to give a more complete picture of the cost over time. However, it doesn’t account for individual circumstances or early refinancing strategies.

While comparison rates can be a helpful reference point, they’re not the only factor to consider. That’s why we recommend speaking with a lending expert who can help match you with a product that aligns with your current and future goals.

Your borrowing power

Understanding Your Borrowing Power

When it comes to applying for a home loan, your borrowing power—also known as serviceability—is one of the most important factors lenders consider. It’s a calculation based on your current financial position and helps determine the amount a lender may be willing to offer responsibly.

Each lender has different criteria and methods for calculating borrowing capacity, which is why it’s valuable to have an experienced lending professional assess your situation and guide you through your options.

How Much Can I Borrow?

This is often one of the first questions people ask when planning to buy a home or invest in property. Your borrowing power is typically determined by evaluating:

Your income (e.g., salary, rental income)
Existing debts or financial commitments
Living expenses
Number of dependents
Credit history and score

These factors help lenders estimate what you may reasonably be able to repay over the term of a loan. While online calculators can provide a general guide, results can vary significantly between lenders.

For a more accurate figure tailored to your personal circumstances, we recommend speaking with a lending expert.

How Much Should I Borrow?

While it’s useful to know what a lender might offer, it’s equally important to consider what fits comfortably within your budget.

Beyond loan repayments, home ownership comes with additional costs like stamp duty, property rates, insurance, maintenance, and potential rate fluctuations. Planning ahead with a financial buffer can provide peace of mind and help ensure long-term affordability.

Our team at Refinancer can help you assess the full picture, including loan size, repayment strategy, and product features that align with your goals.

Can I Increase My Borrowing Capacity?

There are a number of ways to position yourself more strongly for a loan application. These include:

Reviewing and reducing current debts or credit limits
Managing expenses and demonstrating consistent savings
Ensuring financial accounts and obligations are in good standing
Exploring income opportunities (e.g., additional employment)

At Refinancer, we work with clients to create structured plans that may improve borrowing outcomes over time. This might include consolidating debts, reviewing repayments, or preparing documentation in a way that aligns with lender expectations.

Property investing

Investing in Property: Where Strategy Meets Opportunity

Property has long been a popular asset class in Australia—valued for its potential to provide stable, long-term growth. While market conditions can fluctuate, many investors consider real estate a key part of a balanced wealth-building strategy.

Working with a finance expert can help ensure your approach to investment aligns with your financial goals, with a loan structure that supports both short-term affordability and long-term opportunity.

Why Consider Property Investment?

Historically, Australian property has demonstrated steady price growth, supported by strong demand and population growth. While past performance doesn't guarantee future results, real estate remains a tangible asset with a range of financial and lifestyle benefits.

Many investors value property for:

The ability to leverage existing equity
Potential rental income
Access to tax deductions
Long-term capital growth

As with any financial decision, investment property involves risk and requires careful planning and review.

Don’t Have a Deposit? You May Have Equity

If you already own a home, your available equity may serve as a deposit for your next purchase. Equity refers to the portion of your property’s value that you own outright, and in some cases, lenders allow this to be used toward an investment loan—subject to eligibility.

A strategy built around leveraging equity, managing repayments effectively, and regularly reviewing your loan can help you make progress toward expanding your property portfolio.

How Does Refinancing Fit In?

Refinancing isn’t just about interest rates—it can be a strategic tool for unlocking equity, improving cash flow, or repositioning your loan structure to support new goals.

Regular reviews with your mortgage broker can help ensure your current loan is still suitable and identify when it might be time to explore investment opportunities. For many Australians, refinancing is a key step in transitioning from homeowner to property investor.

Tax Considerations for Property Investors

According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), property investors may be eligible to claim deductions for a variety of expenses, including:

Advertising for tenants
Council and water rates
Property management fees
Repairs and maintenance
Insurance (building, contents, liability)
Interest on loans used for the rental property
Legal and accounting fees related to managing the property

It’s important to seek professional tax advice to understand which expenses apply to your situation.

Every Investment Starts with a Plan

Successful property investment starts with clear goals, sound financial foundations, and a tailored approach. This may include assessing your borrowing capacity, identifying available equity, and determining the most appropriate property type for your situation.

At Refinancer, our specialists help clients navigate the process with clarity—from exploring refinance opportunities to mapping out a strategy for their first or next investment.

Personal loans

Start With Us First

At Refinancer, we take a tailored, research-driven approach to help clients find personal loan options suited to their unique financial situation. With access to a broad network of over 15 reputable lenders, we’re able to explore a wide range of solutions that may meet your needs.

A Personal Loan Strategy That Puts You First

We’re committed to making the personal loan process as informed and supportive as possible. Our approach combines practical expertise with detailed analysis to ensure the solution aligns with your financial goals.

Rather than applying directly to a single lender—where your options may be limited—we conduct a thorough review of your individual scenario, taking into account:

Your current financial position
Income and expenses
Existing liabilities and credit activity
Your borrowing preferences and loan purpose

We request relevant documentation and, with your consent, assess your credit profile to ensure we can present a loan option that’s not only competitive but suitable based on your circumstances.

Informed Lending, Greater Confidence

Many Australians are unaware of how their credit file impacts loan applications. That’s why we focus on education as much as we do on lending. We'll help you understand:

What your credit report means
How lenders assess your application
What steps you can take to strengthen your profile

If you're not in a position to qualify for a personal loan right now, we’ll work with you to develop a plan aimed at improving your eligibility. This might include steps to reduce credit activity, manage liabilities, or improve repayment history—with a clear timeframe in mind.

We Work With Reputable Lenders—No Payday Options

We do not offer payday lending. Our panel includes lenders that provide structured personal loans with transparent terms and competitive rates. If you're approved and later become eligible for a better offer, we’re here to help you transition smoothly.

Our goal is to help clients achieve sustainable financial outcomes—and that begins with choosing a loan option that supports both short- and long-term wellbeing.

Debt consolidation

Take Control of Your Debt—Without the Stress

Many Australians carry multiple forms of personal debt—credit cards, car loans, personal loans—often without reviewing whether the terms still suit their needs. Over time, managing several facilities can become confusing, stressful, and in some cases, more expensive than necessary.

Debt consolidation can help by combining multiple repayments into one simplified loan—potentially with lower interest, clearer terms, and easier management.

Simplify and Streamline Your Repayments

When juggling several repayments across different lenders, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Missed payments, going over limits, or simply forgetting due dates can impact your credit score and overall financial health.

Consolidating your debts into one facility could help:

Reduce the number of repayments you manage
Provide clarity around your financial commitments
Lower your risk of late fees or default

By simplifying your loan structure, you can focus on one repayment plan—making your financial routine more manageable and transparent.

Using What You Have: Home or Vehicle Loans

If you have a home loan or vehicle, you may have options available to support your debt consolidation strategy. In some cases, a car loan may be used as security to consolidate additional personal debt—subject to lender eligibility and credit assessment.

Refinancer’s lending specialists can help explore whether leveraging these existing facilities may support a clearer, more structured financial plan.

Not the Right Time? We’ll Help You Get There

Sometimes, the best approach is to pause and prepare. If your current financial situation or credit profile isn’t ready for consolidation, we won’t move forward until the timing is right. Instead, we’ll help you understand what steps to take—like improving repayment history or limiting new credit activity—so you're better positioned in the future.

We offer clear, structured plans and ongoing guidance to support your long-term financial goals.

Why Work With Refinancer?

Debt consolidation can be complex. With different lender policies and credit rules at play, going it alone—or through a provider unfamiliar with the process—may lead to missed opportunities or unnecessary declines.

At Refinancer, we specialise in debt consolidation. Our advisors:

Compare multiple lenders to find suitable options
Review your documents and credit profile in detail
Provide guidance tailored to your circumstances
Handle the process end-to-end for your convenience

It costs nothing to explore your options—and it could be the first step toward a more structured financial future.