Your next home or renovating

If you’re at the point where your home no longer meets your needs, whether your house is bursting at the seams or in need of some love, we can help you understand your options to create your perfect space. The choice to buy or renovate can be complex. Starting with understanding what you need vs what you can afford should help clarify your options.

Buying your next home

Consider your needs vs your wants

Understand the reasons why you need to move and the features you’re looking for in your next home. Whether it’s more space, a different layout or a new location, be clear on what is a must have vs. a nice to have in your new property. 

Selling before you buy

Selling before you buy means you could avoid having to cover two mortgages at once. If your current mortgage is with us you could even keep the same loan for your next place, which means you won’t need to pay an establishment fee for a new loan.

Buying before you sell

If you've found a new home, and haven't sold the old one, we may be able to help you manage your two mortgages until you sell your existing property. A bridging home loan lets you finance the purchase of a new home while your current property is on the market.

Keeping your first home as an investment

Another option you could consider is turning your existing home into a rental property. If you have equity available in your home, depending on your circumstances, you may be able to use this towards the deposit on your new home.

Renovating

Although it might be tempting to dive in head first, putting in the planning and preparation before starting a renovation could really pay dividends in the long run. Once you know what you want to do, there are a number of options for financing your renovation.

Planning your renovation

Know what you want to do

This might seem obvious, but the bedrock of a successful renovation is knowing from the outset exactly what it is you want to achieve. The easiest way is to go from room to room and make a list of anything you’d like to change.

Prioritise

When you’ve got a list of what you want to achieve you’ll be in a good position to start prioritising. If you think there’s more on the list than what you can comfortably afford, this is a good opportunity to start knocking off some things from the bottom of the list. In other cases you may be able to compromise (cutting back on going for high-end fittings, for example).

Get quotes and prices

It’s a good idea to get at least three quotes for every aspect of your renovation – that means everything from pricing builders and plumbers to getting different costs for kitchen cabinets. These quotes are integral for working out your budget.

Get the paperwork and approvals in order

Depending on what your renovation encompasses, you may need to get council approval. You should also consider body corporate approval (if you’re in a unit) and any heritage restrictions.

Financing your renovation

Save up and pay for it in cash

Set a goal and you could use a high interest savings account to help accumulate enough to cover the work you want to do.

Redraw from your loan account or use funds in your offset account

If you’ve been making additional repayments on your home loan, you may be able to redraw some of the funds to cover your renovation. Alternatively, if you have money in your offset account, you may choose to fund the renovation that way. If you redraw, your loan balance will increase (as you’ve take out some of the additional payments you made) and if you take money from your offset, your interest payments will increase (as you’re not offsetting as much interest). Be sure to factor these things in to your budget.

Use the equity available to you and increase your home loan

If your home has increased in value or you’ve paid down your loan, you may have equity available that you could use to fund your renovation. To access that equity to pay for renovations you would need to apply for a home loan increase. If you’re a Westpac customer you could use Westpac Wonder to look at the available equity you may have.

Review your current home loan and consider refinancing.

Whether you refinance with your existing financial institution or move to a new one, when you’re planning a renovation it’s a good idea to review your current home loan. In doing so you may be able to access features such as redraw and offset. Different home loans will offer varying features (such a redraw and offset) and interest rates, making some loans more suitable for you, particularly if you’re planning to renovate and require more flexibility. Find out more

Residential Construction Loans

This loan is designed specifically for those building a new home or renovating an existing property. Importantly, funds are only released as each stage of construction is completed. This saves you money, as you only pay interest on the progress payments made until the loan is fully drawn.

Personal loan

A personal loan may be an option for financing renovations but they do generally attract higher interest rates than a home loan. Find out more

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