Owning propert y is in South Africans’ DNA, says Colin Strumpher, Sales Manager at BetterBond. We grow up, leave home, get a job, a car and then a house. We’re const antly st riving to improve our circumst ances. “With the interest rate currently so low, we are seeing a lot more people getting into the propert y market and a high percentage of these are first home buyers. But few people know that there are ways to get a better bond - be it to secure a 100% loan with no deposit required, get a competitive interest rate, or to reduce the amount of time it will take to repay the bond.”
Strumpher explains that BetterBond acts as an intermediary between the buyer and the bank, submitting one application to multiple banks to secure the best possible interest rate for a bond. On average BetterBond achieves a 0.6% diff erence in interest rate between the highest and lowest off ers from the banks, and in some inst ances much more. This means, for example, that a client who would qualify for a prime interest rate of 7% on a R1 million bond, could receive a furt her reduction of 0.6% just by getting their bond through BetterBond. This amounts to a saving of almost R400 on monthly bond repayments and, over 20 years, close to R87 000.
Strumpher highlights three insider tips that will help buyers get the most from their bond:
1. Some buyers consider applying for a “fixed rate”, especially now that the prime lending rate is at 7%, the lowest it has been in over five decades. “While the choice is a personal one, it’s wort h noting that fixed rates are generally higher than the base or prime lending rate, and can only be negotiated once the bond has regist ered. Also, the period over which a buyer can fix the interest rate on a bond repayment is usually only one or two years,” explains Strumpher.
Thereaft er, the bank will revert to the variable rate which the buyer will have to renegotiate a new interest rate on their bond repayment. “Opting for a fixed rate will also negate any savings that BetterBond could secure by approaching multiple banks for a competitive interest rate, and will end up cost ing more in interest over the long run.” A variable interest rate on a bond, however, means that the repayment on the outst anding balance on a bond will fluctuate as the prime lending rate increases or drops.
2. If you are able to pay more than the required monthly inst allment on your bond, you shave years off your bond repayment period. Also, by paying off the balance sooner, you will also reduce your interest over the loan repayment period. As the following example shows, paying just R1 000 extra a month on a R1 million bond, at the current prime lending rate of 7%, could reduce the duration of your loan by more than four years.
“The critical thing for any homeowner - if they have any additional funds, pay these into the bond. As an example, if you continued your bond repayment on a R1 million home at the interest rate of 10% (rather than dropping it to the current prime rate of 7%), as it was at the beginning of 2020, you would be able to reduce the bond term by about seven years,” says Strumpher.
“If you are not able to pay that much, even as little as R100 extra each month on a R 1 million bond will trim six months off your loan repayment period, and save you about R27 000,” he adds. It is not a case of taking all your savings and putting it in your bond, but rather about being disciplined to put something extra - whatever you can afford - into your bond. “Any lump sum that you can pay in addition, do. It reduces the balance, which reduces the interest which the bank will charge.”
3. Don’t cancel your bond once you have paid the full amount. If you keep the bond open, it will still be possible to access funds if needed. Any amount you pay over and above your installment lies in an access facility and this can be accessed at a later stage and used as desired,” says Strumpher. There is a small monthly administrative fee charged by the bank to keep it open.
Many homeowners use their primary residence to access funds so that they can buy their second property, Strumpher adds. “There is no real benefit in cancelling your bond, unless you are selling the property or you are absolutely sure that you will not be needing to access funds again. The bank will keep your account open unless instructed otherwise.” Accessing your bond and paying “cash” for your second property can save you in bond registration costs.
Anne-Marie Bamber is Norgarb Properties dedicated Home Loans Consultant. She has over 15 years’ experience in assisting clients with their Home Loan needs and has placed many happy families in their dream homes.Contact her today for no cost stress-free home-buying.
Anne-Marie Bamber
Home Loans consultant
Tel: +27 (0)21 851 3568 | Fax: +27 (0)21 441 1494 | Cell: +27 (0)82 071 1665
E-mail: anne-marie.bamber@betterlife.co.za
