The Best Home Loan Software for the Australian Homeowner
Many Australian homeowners are looking for ways to manage their home loans more effectively to beat the steady increase in cost of living and interest rate rises.
We are expected to somehow squeeze more out of our income to make ends meet and given that home loan repayments are one of our biggest monthly expenses it makes sense to take a look at how home loan software can be a valuable tool to help you slash costs.
Here's a breakdown of what you need to know about home loan software in Australia.
Two Types of Home Loan Software in Australia
There are two main types of home loan software relevant to Australian homeowners.
[1] The first type is for home loan software for managing your existing home loan. This home loan software can be a handy budgeting tool as it allows you to track your repayments, monitor your interest charges and even create a plan to pay off your mortgage faster. Some home loan apps can also help you identify potential savings opportunities, such as by switching to a more competitive interest rate.
[2] The second type of home loan software is the mortgage calculator style designed to assist you during the application process. This home loan software can help you compare different loan options from various lenders, estimate your borrowing power, and even pre-fill some of the application forms. These home loan and mortgage calculators can save you time and effort when shopping around for the best home loan deal. But, it's important to note that this type of home loan software won't make the decision for you, so it's always a good idea to consult with a mortgage broker or financial advisor for personalised guidance.
Benefits of Using Home Loan Software
Home loan software designed to manage existing home loans offer a range of advantages that can empower Australian homeowners to make informed decisions, save money, and stay on top of their finances. If you are not currently using a home loan software product to manage your existing home loan then here are some of the benefits you could be missing out on.
Making Informed Decisions: What if Scenario Planning
Home loan software come with powerful home loan repayment calculators embedded within them. Using all your latest home loan details these calculators empower you to take control of your financial future by allowing you to compare various home loan options and repayment options.
Using a combination of your current home loan details and scenario planning details like the property value, loan amount, interest rate, home loan term and extra repayment amounts, the home loan software will estimate your future monthly repayments, total interest payable and even the overall cost of your mortgage.
The home loan software lets you easily compare the different loan options and repayment plans side-by-side and assess their true financial impact. You can experiment with different home loan scenarios, such as adjusting the loan term or interest rate, to see how these factors influence affordability. You can make informed decisions and choose the home loan option that best suits your financial circumstances and long-term goals.
Staying on Track: Maintaining Financial Control
Home loan software goes beyond just calculations and comparisons. It acts as a centralised hub for managing your home loan and keeping your finances on track. Many home loan software apps offer features like transaction trackers that can connect directly to your internet banking, automatically downloading your loan data. This eliminates the need for manual record-keeping and ensures you have a clear and up-to-date picture of your loan's health. This can be especially handy if you have a home loan and debts with various lenders as you can see them all in the once central dashboard.
Also, some home loan software programs integrate budgeting tools and repayment calculators that can help you explore different repayment strategies. Like linking your budget, income, expenses and extra repayments to your home loan can be a great way to save thousands of dollars interest payment and slash the cost of your monthly interest bill, whilst still being able to afford the cost of living.
Cash Refunds: Uncovering Hidden Errors
The right Home loan software can also help keep the bank honest by keeping a close eye on your home loan interest charges. When you import your home loan details into the home loan software, it will analyse your repayments and interest charges. This detailed analysis can uncover any errors in your statements, that can lead to thousands of dollars of errors over the life of your loan if left undetected.
Every major lender and bank in Australia has been caught overcharging their clients millions of dollars at one point or another. These errors have happened due to data entry mistakes or miscalculations, forgetting to link offset accounts, missed discount being applied or general computer glitches; and in most cases the homeowner was unaware.
Using home loan software to catch these errors early on can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. A home loan error left undetected will compound each month as the lender charges you interest on the error, slowing down you home loan repayments and leading to higher monthly costs for longer, which is the last thing you need if you are feeling the cost of living squeeze.
By identifying and fixing these errors as soon as possible, not only will you receive a much needed cash refund into your mortgage, the home loan software will make sure you're paying the minimum monthly amount and keep your hard-earned cash in your pocket.
Popular Home Loan Software Options for Australian Homeowners
While some home loan software solutions cater to financial professionals, there are excellent options available specifically designed for Australian homeowners to manage their personal finances. Here's a breakdown of three home loan software options.
A. MoneyFormula: User-Friendly Management for Everyday Needs
The
MoneyFormula Home Loan Software remains a strong home loan software contender for Australian homeowners seeking a user-friendly and cost-effective tool.
What started out as a journey to help Australian homeowners over twenty years ago (through the original HomeLoanManagerPro desktop version) the new MoneyFormula home loan software works on all devices (mobile, tablet, laptop and desktop) and excels at providing the essential functionality for managing your home loan and staying organised, no matter which lender you are with.
MONEYFORMULA KEY FEATURES
The
MoneyFormula Home Loan Software has the following key features.
Home Loan Repayment Tracking
MoneyFormula monitors your mortgage repayments and interest charges, providing a clear picture of your loan's health.
Home Loan Budgeting Tools
MoneyFormula helps you categorise your expenses so you can stay on track with your financial goals.
Home Loan Scenario Planning
MoneyFormula lets you explore different repayment scenarios to assess the impact of potential changes in your home loan strategy, providing more advanced features than home loan calculators and other non-Australian home loan software competitors.
Home Loan Goal Setting
With MoneyFormula you can easily lock in a debt free date for your home loan and the home loan software will keep you on track every step of the way until your home loan is repaid.
Home Loan Error Checking
You can check for interest charge errors on any home loan or investment loan, calculate the refunds you are due (including compounding interest on errors) and even break down the calculations to daily interest charges. The home loan software also fully support offset accounts and error checking to make sure you are receiving your full offset benefit.
MONEYFORMULA KEY BENEFITS
Some of the key reasons Australian homeowner choose the
MoneyFormula Home Loan Software to manage their home loan, include:
Home Loan Software that is Easy of Use
The intuitive interface makes it a good choice for users who are not comfortable with complex software.
Home Loan Software that is Cost-Effectiveness
The home loan software often available at prices substantially less that other budget tools on the market, making it an attractive solution for budget-conscious homeowners.
Home Loan Software Focused on Powerful Functionality
The home loan software provides the essential tools for managing your home loan and staying organized, with powerful options for when you want to dive into the home loan details.
B. Bank Home Loan Software: Streamlined Management on the Go
A second home loan software option is to use one of the major banks offerings, that provide home loan mobile apps providing a convenient option for homeowners to manage their home loans. These apps provide a streamlined approach to home loan management if you have a loan with the particular bank.
BANK HOME LOAN SOFTWARE KEY FEATURES
The bank home loan software can vary from lender to lender by they generally provide the following features.
Bank Account Access
Securely access your home loan information and track your account activity.
Bank Repayment Tracking
Monitor your mortgage repayments and interest charges directly from your phone.
Home Loan Software Simple Interface
The apps prioritizes a user-friendly design for easy navigation and quick access to key information.
BANK HOME LOAN SOFTWARE KEY BENEFITS
Some of the key benefits offered by the Bank's home loan software, include:
Home Loan Software Convenience
Manage your home loan on the go, anytime and anywhere, with a providers that already has all your mortgage details.
Home Loan Software Security
Backed by a reputable lenders, the app tend to offers robust security features for your financial information to not just view your home loan information but to also transact on it.
Home Loan Software Simplicity
The bank's streamlined interface specifically tailored for their own home loans is ideal for users who prefer a fuss-free approach to managing their home loan.
Home Loan Software Price
The bank's home loan software is normally free, which is great for your monthly budget, as the bank make their profits from all the interest charged on your home loan. Providing you with a good free home loan software is one way for the lender to keep your business.
C. Home Loan Calculator Software Offered by Australian Banks and Lenders
The third option is the home loan calculator. Many Australian banks and lenders offer free online home loan calculator software on their websites, and these home loan calculators can be valuable tools for homeowners at various stages of the home buying journey.
HOME LOAN CALCULATOR SOFTWARE KEY FEATURES
Most home loan calculator provide the same set of key features which include:
Calculators to Estimate Loan Repayments
Input property value, loan amount, interest rate, and loan term to estimate your future monthly repayments.
Calculators to Compare Loan Options
Some calculators allow you to compare different loan scenarios, such as varying interest rates or loan terms.
Calculators for Basic Affordability Assessment
Get a general idea of how much you might be able to borrow based on your income and expenses.
HOME LOAN CALCULATOR SOFTWARE KEY BENEFITS
The key benefits of home loan calculator software, include:
Calculators are Free and Accessible
Widely available and often free to use with simple options to cover dozens of different quick home loan queries you might have.
Calculators Provide Quick Estimates
Get a fast and easy estimate of your potential mortgage repayments.
Calculator are Simple Planning Tools
A helpful tool for initial planning and budgeting before approaching lenders for pre-approvals.
Home Loan Software Choosing the Right Option
As we've seen above
home loan software falls into several categories, so the best home loan software or tool for you really depends on your specific needs and what you are trying to do.
If you want to manage you current home loan and you want prioritise user-friendliness, powerful functionality and feature rich home loan tools for tracking your existing home loan and all your debts, no matter which provider you are with, the
MoneyFormula Home Loan Software might be a good fit.
For those who prefer being tied to a specific bank and are looking for something quick and simple then bank's home loan mobile app may offer the right streamlined solution.
And finally, home loan calculator software are available and free from every major finance website and can be a great choice for initial planning and estimating potential repayments before diving deeper into the home loan process.
So that wraps up most of the details on the Australian home loan software available to help you. Good luck with your home loan journey as you explore these options to find the best way to achieve the good old Aussie dream of owning a home.
Home Loan Software - Next Steps?
PLEASE NOTE: The information in this article is general in nature. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Please speak to a qualified financial adviser if you need specific advice on your finances.