Questions to Ask Your Lender When Your Circumstances Change
When you first took out your home loan, it was structured around who you were at the time — your income, expenses, priorities, and plans.
But life changes. Income grows, families evolve, expenses shift, and goals move forward. When that happens, one of the smartest things you can do is reassess whether your home loan still fits.
If something in your life has changed, these are the key questions you should be asking your lender — and yourself.
Is My Current Loan Still Suited to My Situation?
This is the most important question, and one many homeowners never ask.
A loan that worked perfectly a few years ago may no longer suit your income, lifestyle, or financial goals. If your circumstances have changed and your loan hasn’t, there’s a strong chance it’s no longer optimised.
Am I Paying More Interest Than I Need To?
Interest rates and loan pricing change regularly, but most existing loans stay exactly where they are unless reviewed.
Ask whether your current rate is still competitive — and whether better options are available based on today’s market and your improved financial position.
Has My Borrowing Capacity Changed?
Changes in income, expenses, or property value can significantly affect borrowing capacity.
If you’re thinking about upgrading, renovating, or investing, it’s important to know whether your current loan structure is helping or limiting your ability to borrow.
Many people assume their borrowing capacity is fixed, when in reality it often improves over time.
Is My Loan Structure Still Right for How I Manage Money?
How you manage money today may be very different to when you first applied for your loan.
Ask whether your current structure — including repayments, offset accounts, and flexibility — still aligns with your cash flow and priorities.
A better structure can sometimes deliver more benefit than a rate change alone.
Can My Loan Be Restructured to Improve Cash Flow?
If your expenses or priorities have changed, cash flow may matter more now than it once did.
Refinancing can sometimes reduce repayments, consolidate higher-interest debts, or restructure your loan to create breathing room — without increasing financial stress.
Is My Property’s Value Being Fully Considered?
If your property has increased in value, your loan-to-value ratio may have improved significantly.
Ask whether that improved position could unlock better rates, lenders, or borrowing options. Many homeowners don’t realise how much their position has changed until they review it.
What Options Do I Have If My Plans Have Changed?
Life events like a new job, growing family, separation, or planning your next move all affect how a home loan should be structured.
Ask what options exist to align your loan with where you’re heading — not just where you’ve been.
What Happens If I Don’t Review My Loan?
This is an important question that often gets overlooked.
Staying on a loan that no longer fits can quietly cost you through higher interest, reduced flexibility, or missed opportunities.
Understanding the cost of doing nothing is just as important as understanding the benefits of change.
Am I Getting Advice — or Just a Product?
Not all conversations with lenders are the same.
Ask whether the advice you’re receiving is tailored to your situation, or simply focused on keeping you where you are.
A meaningful review should look at your full picture — not just your existing loan.
Why These Questions Matter — And Why Chase Helps
Asking the right questions is the first step. Getting clear, honest answers is the next.
Chase Douglas has extensive experience in mortgage lending and helps homeowners navigate refinancing decisions after changes in income, expenses, family situation, or goals.
Chase looks at how your circumstances have changed, explains how that affects your loan options, and helps you decide whether refinancing makes sense — without pressure.
Have Your Circumstances Changed?
If your life looks different to when you first took out your home loan, these are questions worth answering.
You don’t need to make a decision today — you just need clarity.
👉 Book a refinance review with Chase Douglas and get clear answers to the questions that matter most.
Because when circumstances change, your home loan should be reviewed too.
