How the Refinancing Process Works
We make the refinancing process seamless. Here is what to expect when you work with Unconditional Finance.
Step 1: Free Refinance Assessment
We review your existing home loan, current interest rate, loan balance, remaining loan term, and financial goals. We identify whether refinancing makes sense for your personal circumstances and estimate your potential savings. No credit check. No obligation.
Step 2: Lender Comparison
We compare refinancing options across 40+ lenders simultaneously, presenting your best options side by side. We look at interest rates, comparison rates, ongoing fees, loan features, and any costs involved in switching lenders. This is where using a mortgage broker instead of going to one lender makes a real difference.
Step 3: Application and Approval
Once you choose your preferred option, we prepare and submit your refinance application. Your new lender orders a property valuation to confirm your property value. We manage all lender correspondence and keep you updated at every stage. No chasing banks. No hold music.
Step 4: Settlement and Ongoing Reviews
At settlement, your new lender pays out your existing loan and your new loan begins. The process is stress free because we handle it. But we do not disappear after settlement. We review your rate every six months to make sure you are always on the best deal. Most borrowers set and forget. We make sure you never overpay.
How Much Can You Save by Refinancing?
The numbers speak for themselves.
- $500,000 loan refinanced from 6.00% to 5.25% = approximately $227/month saving = $68,000 over the remaining loan term
- $450,000 mortgage plus $30,000 in personal loans and credit cards consolidated at home loan rates = approximately $820/month saving
Your savings depend on your loan amount, current interest rate, remaining loan term, and the competitive rates available from other lenders. Use our budget planner to see how refinancing fits into your broader financial position.
Costs Involved in Refinancing
Refinancing is not always free. Understanding the costs involved helps you calculate whether switching lenders delivers a net saving.
- Discharge fees from your existing lender (typically $150 to $400)
- Application or establishment fees from your new lender (some lenders waive these)
- Property valuation fees ($200 to $600, often covered by the new lender)
- Break costs if you are exiting a fixed rate loan early, these can be significant
- Stamp duty does not usually apply when refinancing an existing home loan, but there are exceptions. Read our guide on whether you pay stamp duty when you refinance
We calculate all costs upfront as part of your assessment so there are no surprises. In most cases, the long-term savings significantly outweigh the one-off switching costs.
What If You Cannot Refinance?
Sometimes refinancing is not straightforward. Your loan balance might be too close to your property value, your income may have changed, or your existing lender’s break costs are too high. That does not mean you are stuck. There are Plan B strategies that can still save money on your current mortgage without switching lenders. Read our guide on what to do if you cannot refinance your home loan.
Refinancing an Investment Property
Refinancing an investment property works differently to refinancing your home. The tax implications of how you structure the new loan can either save you thousands or cost you thousands. Interest deductibility, loan splitting, and offset account strategy all matter. Read our guide on refinancing an investment property and the tax traps to avoid.
Are Refinance Cashback Offers Worth It?
Some lenders offer cashback incentives of $2,000 to $4,000 to win your business. On the surface, that looks attractive. But a cashback offer with a higher interest rate can cost you far more over the loan term than a lower rate without the incentive. We compare the total cost of each option so you can make the right call. See our broker’s analysis of whether refinance cashback offers are actually worth it.