Aussie renovations market in for a slow recovery
The Housing Industry Association’s Spring edition of Renovation Roundup has today predicted a slow recovery in the renovations market after a recent slump.
Providing coverage across all eight states and territories, Renovation Roundup is a comprehensive review of Australia’s renovation market, based on data from almost 600 survey participants. After a slump in the period between 2011-2014, the market has been recovering at a slow pace, due mostly, said HIA senior economist Shane Garrett, “to patchy consumer sentiment and challenging labour market conditions in several states.”
There are certain geographic exceptions to the rule however, with the renovations market in NSW picking up dramatically. Sydney home-owners in particular are now finding it more affordable to undergo major renovations, rather than buy new homes.
RELATED: The best way to fund your home renovation
Renovations are big business in Australia, and the HIA estimated the industry will be worth “just under $30 billion this year”, although compared to a 2011 high of just over $33 billion, it’s clear the market’s recovery is slow-going.
The Roundup projected a 3.9% increase in renovation activity this year, bumping up by another 0.4% in 2016. Garrett said that “spurred on by very favourable interest rate settings as well as improvements in economic growth and the labour market over the medium term”, the market will continue to improve, with an increase of 0.6% in 2017 and finally, 3.0% the year after. This brings the total worth of renovation activity into the realm of $30.62 billion by 2018.
If you’re looking to get on the once more rising trend of home renovation, one of the options to pay for it is a personal loan. Here are some tips for scoring yourself a competitive deal and getting that new kitchen you’ve been dreaming about:
1. Put up an asset as security
If you have property, a car, or expensive household items, you may have an asset that can be put up as collateral on a personal loan for a better deal. But keep in mind, this means that if you forfeit on the secured personal loan, the lender may seize your chosen collateral in order to recover their loss.
Take for example, the 8.49% interest rate on secured loans, as is being offered by one of the big four at the time of writing, and compare it to their much higher 13.90% rate on unsecured loans. If this doesn’t seem like such a big deal consider this scenario: on a $20,000 loan over a period of four years, this lower rate would save you $2,527 in interest.
2. Consider a challenger brand
Banks incur huge costs through things like branch upkeep, staff wages and shareholder dividends. These days there are many online only or peer-to-peer providers who are able to cut down on these costs to offer competitive personal loans to Australian consumers.
If you’re okay with managing your personal loan online, then consider challenger brands who are often offering cheaper personal loan deals than the big banks.
3. Bring across other products
Another way to bring the cost of a personal loan down is by bringing some of your other banking products into the deal, for example your credit card, savings account or bank account, particularly if you are more comfortable staying with the bigger banks. This is called bundling, and you may find that with this method, the lender will agree to forgo the personal loan application fee, or give you a more competitive interest rate.
Want to find the perfect personal loan for you? Compare deals in our personal loan comparison hub here.
Personal loan comparisons on Mozo - last updated 16 May 2024
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Excellent Credit Unsecured Personal Loan - 2024
Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsBorrow up to $50,000 unsecured. Perfect if you earn more than $22,100 p.a. and have good to excellent credit. Multi-year winner of Mozo’s Experts Choice Unsecured Personal Loan Award, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024^'
Repayment terms from 2 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.75% would cost $35,430.23 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $0.00
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $0.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly
- Early repayment penalty
- 0
- Minimum loan amount
- $5,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $50,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 2 Years
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- Rates based on borrower with excellent credit score. Maximum 3 year term for loan amounts $8,000 or less.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NOW Finance Unsecured Personal Loan
-
Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment5.76% p.a.to 24.03% p.a.6.55% p.a.to 24.98% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsFast, easy and 100% online, this is a low cost loan with no ongoing fees or extra repayment penalties. It's perfect for savvy borrowers with great credit. If you’re over 18 and earn above $30,000, you could qualify (other eligibility criteria may apply).
Repayment terms from 3 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.76% would cost $35,173.52 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 5.76% p.a.to 24.03% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.55% p.a.to 24.98% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 5.76% p.a.to 24.03% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.55% p.a.to 24.98% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $575.00
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $15.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Minimum loan amount
- $2,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $70,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 3 Years
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Establishment fee is $275 for loans under $5,000.
- Other restrictions
- Establishment fee is added to the loan amount and interest is charged on the total amount.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
-
Featured Product
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Excellent Credit Unsecured Personal Loan - 2024
Low Rate Personal Loan
Excellent Credit
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment6.57% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.7.19% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsCompetitive low rates for borrowers with excellent credit on 1-7 year loans from $2,001 up to $75,000, plus free extra repayments. Winner of Mozo's Experts Choice Excellent Credit Unsecured Personal Loan 2024 and Excellent Credit Secured Personal Loan 2024 awards ^. Min. income of 25k after tax, to apply.
Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.57% would cost $35,528.12 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 6.57% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 7.19% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 6.57% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 7.19% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $250.00
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $35.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Minimum loan amount
- $2,001.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $75,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 1 Year
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- Rate for Excellent Credit. Establishment fee varies from $250 and is based on your OurMoneyMarket loan grade and total loan amount. The fee is added to the principal amount and paid over the loan term.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the OurMoneyMarket Low Rate Personal Loan
-
Express Personal Loan
Secured
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment14.95% p.a.to 27.95% p.a.29.30% p.a.to 42.8% p.a.based on $10,000
over 3 yearsAccess fast finance on loans from $3,000 to $25,000 with a Jacaranda Finance Personal Loan. Terms from 25-48 months. Check if you qualify with no impact on your credit score. Enjoy a speedy, online approval.
Repayment terms from 2 years to 4 years. Representative example: a 3 year $10,000 loan at 14.95% would cost $14,324.71 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 14.95% p.a.to 27.95% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 29.30% p.a.to 42.8% p.a.based on $10,000
over 3 years
- interest rate
- 14.95% p.a.to 27.95% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 29.30% p.a.to 42.8% p.a.based on $10,000
over 3 years
- Upfront fee
- $990.00
- Monthly fee
- $24.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $35.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- 0
- Minimum loan amount
- $3,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $25,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 2 Years
- Maximum loan term
- 4 Years
- Security required
- Various, Vehicle
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- Application fee from $475 to $990. Additional Risk Fee of $0 to $995 applies. Minimum loan term is 25 months.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Jacaranda Finance Express Personal Loan
-
Debt Consolidation Loan
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment6.57% p.a.to 18.99% p.a.7.19% p.a.to 19.39% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsCompetitive fixed rates on loans up to $75,000 depending on your credit score. Zero monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Make weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments, over 1 to 7 years managed entirely online, at any time. Fast and easy, 100% online application.
Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.57% would cost $35,528.12 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 6.57% p.a.to 18.99% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 7.19% p.a.to 19.39% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 6.57% p.a.to 18.99% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 7.19% p.a.to 19.39% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $250.00
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $35.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- -
- Minimum loan amount
- $2,001.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $75,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 1 Year
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- Upfront fees from $250.
Your selected personal loans
Your selected personal loans
Your selected personal loans
Your selected personal loans
Your selected personal loans
* WARNING: The Comparison Rate combines the lender's interest rate, fees and charges into a single rate to show the true cost of a personal loan. The comparison rates displayed are calculated based on a loan of $30,000 for a term of 5 years or a loan of $10,000 for a term of 3 years as indicated, based on monthly principal and interest repayments, on a secured basis for secured loans and an unsecured basis for unsecured loans. This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Personal Loan Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.