How home loan digitisation is helping homeowners and investors

The home mortgage is moving into the digital age and has been sped up as a result of coronavirus and many borrowers will benefit from this with easier and more convenient loans and more borrowing options.

The home mortgage is moving into the digital age and has been sped up as a result of coronavirus and many borrowers will benefit from this with easier and more convenient loans and more borrowing options. Many lenders have responded to the social distancing rules required by COVID-19 by allowing the online verification of customers’ identities rather than requiring them to meet personally every time. Lenders are also accepting e-signatures and doing online property valuations, which means a cheaper and faster process for the customer. Vincent Turner, Founder at UNO Home Loans, says that taking away some of the manual steps for getting a home loan lets customers switch lenders more easily and will help ensure they always are on a great deal.

No need to visit a bank branch

UNO has been using digital IDs of customers for a long time, but when it came time to sign the loan, many lenders insisted the customer come into a branch for Verification of Identification, or VOI as it’s known. The COVID-19 crisis has changed that, with more lenders accepting a digital ID provided by the client’s broker. It’s a simple process (3 key steps) and is designed to ensure we protect your identity and avoid any risk of fraud:

  • The client sends a photo or scan of their ID document like a passport or driver’s license to the broker.
  • Next during a video call between the client and their broker on Skype, Zoom, Google Meets or any other meeting app, the broker saves a screenshot of the client holding up their photo ID to confirm they are who they say they are
  • The final step is for the broker to confirm the ID document is genuine At the same time more and more lenders are accepting the use of e-sign signatures on application forms and mortgage documents instead of paper signatures. Taken together, these developments mean more and more property owners can complete their mortgage application and signing without having to leave home to visit a bank branch.

The age of the automated property valuation

Property valuations – which banks require before they will lend against a property – are also changing. Lenders are using more automated valuations, where a computer algorithm assesses the value of a property, and more desktop valuations, where an analyst does an online valuation by using publicly-available information such as the size of a property and its location. While lenders still require in-person valuations for some properties, the digital valuations are becoming more common and mean borrowers don’t have to go to the trouble of coordinating times with the valuer and letting them into the property.

Easier switching for a better loan deal

For Vincent Turner, making home loans easier and more convenient is a key part of UNO’s offering, because it removes barriers to switching lenders and negotiating a better loan deal. Getting the great deal isn’t just about the start of a mortgage, it’s also about making sure you have a great deal throughout the life of your loan, and that’s why borrowers need to have the option of easily switching lenders, Vincent says.

Digital tools to calculate the real cost of home ownership

Having digital tools at your fingertips like online mortgage calculators and home loan health check tools is something that we have been pioneering since we started 4 years ago. If you’re already a homeowner you might be interested in one of our most regularly used tools is loanScore. It’s an online tool, completely free – and once you’ve signed up it regularly alerts you when you could be saving money by refinancing or changing lenders. Check your loanScore here.We also have a number of online calculators like our How Much Can I Borrow?, Calculating Stamp Duty and Home Loan Repayments Calculator ensure that you are well informed before you start the home loan process. We also have online tools such as our Mortgage Holiday Calculator or our Newsroom that offers loads of helpful information, tips and advice online. Wherever you are in your journey, we encourage you to seek out all the great digital tools and resources out there at your fingertips so you can be informed, take action quickly and easily. Book in a quick call with our customer care team.Book a call in with UNO

5 stars for our service reviews from clients

Book Call Now

UNO home loans

Try Plans, by UNO
Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
Considering a purchase or refinance?

Try Plans by UNO

Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
☎️ 🚫 No cold call promise

Related Articles

TESTIMONIALS

What our customers are saying

Kathryn Cretney
November 14, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul helped us from day one before we even arrived in Australia so we knew exactly what we needed to prepare. He’s got a tonne of knowledge and was really lovely and supportive to deal with. Helpful and easy going. Would highly recommend - now in our first Aussie home and Paul made the process all very easy!
Read more
Sean O'Neill
November 14, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
We received excellent service and a tailored solution to our home loan requirements from Uno. Paul kept us informed at all milestone stages and throughout the process he demonstrated a ‘can do’ attitude that ultimately allowed us to get over the line and meet our deadline. We’re most grateful and very impressed. Highly recommend
Read more
Crush Huston
November 8, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul is an amazing broker. Communicative, responsive and knows his stuff! Highly recommend
Read more
Amanda Pearce
November 7, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
After just four months in Australia, our New Zealand home sold, prompting us to stop renting and invest locally. We found Paul through a Kiwi Facebook group, and his exceptional service exceeded our expectations. From initial contact, Paul provided clear explanations, friendly communication, and prompt responses to our queries, making our mortgage process remarkably smooth. We highly recommend him.
Read more
Dom Saric
November 3, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons went above and beyond to ensure that our refinancing journey was painless and successful. He was communicative, accessible (even working while on holidays!), and his knowledge of the systems at play meant that he picked up on things that other brokers missed. Would 100% recommend Mike, and will definitely be back next time we need a broker.
Read more
Ashleigh Breaden
October 31, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons handled our refinance of our home loan with ease and a depth of knowledge that ensured we got the best deal possible for our situation. We didn't have an easy one to solve for with my husband being self employed and we were consolidating finances as well for a car loan. But Mike handled it all for us and once we had provided him with all the documents we literally didn't have to do a thing after that, it was so easy and so quick we are super happy with the experience! Top notch! Highly recommend!!
Read more
Kyle Richards
October 10, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Absolute legend, helped me through the first home buyers scheme, explained everything in a way that made sense, was very knowledgeable and a joy to work with.
Read more
Chloe S
October 8, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons made it possible for us and the in laws to get 2 pretty complicated home loans. He helped us through everything and we'd be happy to use Mike and the team again for anything we needed. Thanks again!
Read more
Sam Rezai
October 2, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
I have gone through 6 different mortgage brokers prior to meeting Andrew Wyers. He is the most patient mortgage broker I’ve encountered and also the most knowledgable about the bank’s lending process and products available. It took me 1 year to find a house I was happy with and Andrew was always there to assist with any issues or questions I had; he always return my phone call, even on the weekends or when his away on holidays. The loan process was smooth and I had no complications. The process with Andrew was again nice and easy, he took the time to find and put together the right package that was suited to my situation. I have recommended Andrew to my family & friends and everyone have been grateful and completely satisfied with his service.
Read more
S Wilko
September 23, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
I had not dealt with Scott or UNO before finding them on the internet. Even as an Australian citizen living and working overseas, I knew obtaining a loan would be difficult. However, Scott went above and beyond what I expected from a mortgage broker. I genuinely don’t think you could find another company that works as hard as they did to get my home loan approved. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Everyone I dealt with at UNO were extremely professional and helpful. If you are looking for a broker, you would be mad not to give them a go. Thanks to Scott Wilkinson, Dalby Bajwa, Jena Lasquite and Andrew Pacini. Shaun.
Read more
Shan Liao
September 3, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
I had an outstanding experience with Tian Liu. He was incredibly professional and attentive, going above and beyond to meet my needs. His expertise and dedication made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Tian's deep knowledge of the market and commitment to finding the best solutions for his clients truly sets him apart. He was always available to answer my questions and provided invaluable guidance throughout. I highly recommend Tian Liu to anyone in need of a reliable and skilled broker!"
Read more
Nathanael Chin
September 3, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Tian Liu provided exceptional service throughout the entire process. His professionalism and keen attention to detail were evident from the start. Tian consistently kept us informed and offered insightful advice that made us feel confident in our decisions. He truly cares about his clients and works tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome. We couldn't be happier with his assistance and highly recommend Tian to anyone looking for a trustworthy and knowledgeable broker.
Read more