You asked ... what is a home loan settlement?

Updated 12 September 2022

Martine Allars
Written byMartine Allars
Our editorial process
You asked ... what is a home loan settlement?

Time to read : 2 Minutes

You ask is our regular feature where we take common questions Australians are searching for and give a simple, clear answer.

Today's question is around home loan settlements.

Here's one answer.

Going deeper:

  • Property settlements are a legal process that is usually assisted by your lawyer and lender.

    • On settlement day your lender will register a mortgage against the new property and transfer the final funds for the sale.

    • Your lawyer or conveyancer will check the previous owner's mortgage has been discharged and that the property is now in your name. The transfer is then registered with your state or territory's title office.

  • A refinance settlement is generally much simpler and quicker to do.

    • Coordinate with your lenders and broker to make sure your settlement date is the same.

    • Triple check that all your accounts are set up to proceed and receive funds.

    • Confirm the new repayment amount and date.

Be aware: It's a very good idea to take the final inspection of your new property – and check that everything you expect to be included is.

🤔 Need more help? We've put together a glossary of common terms if you come across language you're not sure about when buying a property.

Financial Disclaimer:

The information contained on this web page is of general nature only and has been prepared without taking into consideration your objectives, needs and financial situation. You should check with a financial professional before making any decisions.


About the author
author Martine Allars

Martine grew up travelling the world, courtesy of her father’s job as an Australian diplomat. As a child she spoke Italian, French, reasonable Arabic and had a very bad mouth in Vietnamese. Martine has always loved being creative – whether that is writing a story or trying out a new recipe. She is a yoga teacher (25 years in), has written a novel – The Littlest Witch (the sequel is underway), and is back at uni doing a second degree in film.

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