A survey from Mortgage Choice found the pandemic has caused young people to shift focus to their financial goals, with many feeling more optimistic about home ownership. 

The survey found saving money was now the highest priority for young people, with over 60% reducing their spending to buy a home sooner. 

Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.

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LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees Max LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkComparePromoted ProductDisclosure
6.04% p.a.
6.06% p.a.
$3,011
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
4.6 Star Customer Ratings
  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Quick and easy online application process.
Disclosure
5.99% p.a.
5.90% p.a.
$2,995
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
Apply in minutes
  • No application or ongoing fees. Annual rate discount
  • Unlimited redraws & additional repayments. LVR <80%
  • A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
 Disclosure
6.09% p.a.
6.11% p.a.
$3,027
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$250
60%
  • No annual fees – None!
  • Get fast pre-approval
  • Unlimited additional repayments free of charge
 Disclosure
5.69% p.a.
6.16% p.a.
$2,899
Principal & Interest
Fixed
$0
$530
90%
  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Flexibility to split your loan with both fixed and variable rates
 Disclosure
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Additionally, almost 60% of respondents were adding more money to their savings account and over 40% were applying for government grants for first home buyers.

Susan Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer at Mortgage Choice, said COVID had given everyone a wake up call, which for young people meant evaluating their financial goals. 

“Despite the challenges of getting into the property market, young people are not giving up on the great Australian dream," Ms Mitchell said.

"In times of uncertainty, it is human nature to want stability, and this is what investing in property can provide.

“The fact that first home buyers can now access the most competitive home loan rates on record and unprecedented levels of government support such as grants and schemes provides compelling incentives to act on property ownership dreams.”

The survey found 85% of respondents had changed their saving and spending behaviour since the pandemic, with 70% planning to maintain these habits. 

Although keen on buying property, many young Australians found the process to be complicated.

Almost a third of first home buyers had minimal confidence in understanding and choosing home loan features, while 10% were not confident at all. 

'Rainy day' fund takes highest priority 

Over half of Australians said COVID had forced them to change their 2021 financial goals compared to previous years, a survey from ME Bank revealed.

Building up a 'rainy day' savings was the most listed financial goal and listed as the number one in terms of importance. 

Other popular goals included saving for a holiday, car, or other expense, saving enough to buy a property to live in, cutting back on expenses, and building wealth for retirement. 

According to the study, 66% of Australians said the pandemic had enlightened them as to the importance of having a 'rainy day' fund. 

ME’s General Manager Personal Banking Claudio Mazzarella said the survey was encouraging, given a recent ME Bank survey's findings that 21% of households had less than $1,000 in savings.

“In uncertain times it pays to focus on what you can control. Growing a stash of emergency money can be good for your bank balance – and your peace of mind," Ms Mazzarella said.

The biggest barriers in the way of Australians reaching their 2021 financial goals were reported to be ‘inadequate incomes’ (41%) ‘expenses’ (37%), and the ‘impact of COVID-19’ (28%).

Overall, the minority of respondents (29%) said they were ‘very likely’ to achieve their goals in 2021, indicating a general lack of confidence in attaining them.



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