Investors Caught out by Changes to Loans

Property owners who are now residing in their investment properties may be paying too much interest on their loans.  A recent report in the Sydney Morning Herald highlighted the impact of recent changes to investment loan interest rates on many thousands of property owners.  In response to finance regulator APRA’s concerns about high levels of investment lending, major banks are charging higher rates for investment loans than those for owner-occupied properties.  This is the first time since the early 1990s that there has been a difference in interests rates on investment loans, so investors who have bought in the last 25 years may be unaware of the potential impact of their loan categorisation.  Those who bought on an investment loan and rented the property but now live there are advised to talk to their financial institution to ensure their loan records are updated and their type of loan (and interest rate) is appropriate to the property’s investment or residence status.