20/09/2026
🏡 Mortgage Myth Monday
❌ Myth: If I can afford repayments at today’s interest rate, the bank will approve my home loan.
✅ Fact: Not necessarily. Banks assess affordability differently from most people expect.
Rather than using the advertised interest rate, banks generally apply a higher assessment/ sensitivity rate (like a stress test) to ensure you could still manage your repayments if rates rise in the future. One of the major banks increased this rate to over 7% today. They also include benchmark living expenses in their affordability assessment.
That’s why banks’ online borrowing calculators don’t always match what a bank will approve.
💡 Key Takeaway
Don’t rely on online calculators or today’s interest rates alone.
Before you start house hunting, find out your real borrowing power. We’ll compare multiple banks, explain how each assesses affordability, and help you understand your options with confidence.
📩 Send us a message to get started today