Re: "In the last year, I have saved my self a decent amount of $$$ by fixing it while the variable rate has moved up to over 9%."
Yes certainly the point of cycle of the interest rates is another factor to be taken into consideration before fixing and the optimum length of locking into. It's been a long long time since I had to deal with interest rates and their impact in regards to residential property, and i m completely out of touch in this regard -other than family proximity- even though totally up to date due to share markets and the companies/stocks effected by- etc.
And yes, not just tough but preposterous and reaching the unbelievable.