money money money 904 mortgage update (equity, fixed vs. variable, parental guarantees, self employed + more)
Jan 26, 2026
Rachelle Kroon, Director of Sphere Home Loans and experienced mortgage broker, breaks down lending essentials and practical mortgage moves. She explains equity and how it can lower your rate. She compares fixed vs variable and repricing vs refinancing. She outlines parental guarantees, the 5% government scheme risks, and new flexibility for self-employed borrowers.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
January Is A Good Mortgage Reset
- January is a natural time to review mortgages because people set goals and reassess finances for the year.
- Use that planning momentum to align mortgage strategy with annual goals.
Equity Lowers Your Interest Risk Band
- Equity is the difference between property value and mortgage and usable equity is what banks will lend against.
- Increasing equity shifts you into lower LVR bands and can unlock cheaper interest rates or borrowing options.
Value Growth Cut A Borrower's Rate
- A client bought an investment property at 80% LVR and a year later its value rose so the LVR fell to 60%.
- Rachelle renegotiated the rate from 5.94% to 5.59% and saved the client about $2,800 a year.
