Fixed rates hit 15 year low

The average three year fixed rate home loan from a big four bank is currently charging 5.85% per year, the lowest rate for about 15 years. The average variable rate on a standard mortgage from a big four lender is currently about 5.16 per cent.

JP Morgan analyst Scott Manning said borrowers were clearly still shunning fixed rates and anticipating further rate cuts.Fixed rate home loans now account for just two per cent of all new mortgages, down from 25% in early 2008 and the lowest level for 17 years. However, as banks fail to pass on rate cuts in full to variable rate borrowers and the possibility of economic conditions improving strengthens, some analysts are suggesting that the time to fix rates may be approaching for both investors and owner occupiers.