YOUR FIRST HOME, WITH A CLEARER PLAN
Buying your first home involves more than a deposit and a rate. Your income, expenses, savings history and the property you choose all shape which lender options may be available.
We help you understand your position before you make an offer — an indicative borrowing range, the deposit and costs to plan for, and the eligibility questions worth checking early.
HOW WE HELP FIRST HOME BUYERS
Your Borrowing Position
We work through your income, expenses and existing commitments to give you an indicative borrowing range before you start making offers.
Deposit & Upfront Costs
We help you map out the deposit, stamp duty, legal fees and other costs that may apply, so the numbers are clear before you commit.
Pre-Approval
We help you apply for pre-approval where it suits your situation. Pre-approval is conditional: final approval still depends on the property, the valuation and the lender's full assessment.
Lenders Mortgage Insurance
Depending on your deposit and the lender, LMI may apply. We explain how it works, when it may be payable and how it can affect the cost of your loan.
Family Guarantee
A parent or family member may be able to use equity in their property to support your loan. We explain how a guarantee works, what obligations it creates for the guarantor and the risk they take on if the loan is not repaid.
Grants & Concessions
First home buyer grants and stamp duty concessions vary by state and change over time. We help you check which you may be eligible for before you rely on them.
WHAT SHAPES YOUR FIRST HOME LOAN
Lenders look at more than your deposit. These are some of the areas that can affect your borrowing range, your options and the terms available.
Deposit & Genuine Savings
How much you have saved, how those funds were accumulated and what evidence is available can affect the lender options and documentation requirements.
Income & Employment
The type of income you earn, how long you have been in your role and how that income is verified can all affect how lenders assess your application.
Expenses & Commitments
Lenders assess your regular spending and existing commitments, such as credit cards, car loans and HELP debt, as well as your income.
Credit History
Your repayment history and recent credit enquiries can affect how lenders view your application.
The Property You Choose
The property type, location and valuation can affect how much a lender is prepared to lend against it.
Loan Structure
Features such as offset, redraw and fixed or variable rates change how the loan works day to day. We explain the trade-offs before you choose.
FROM FIRST CONVERSATION TO SETTLEMENT
01
Understand Your Position
We look at your income, savings, expenses and goals to work out an indicative borrowing range and a realistic deposit plan.
02
Compare Suitable Lender Options
We consider lender options relevant to your location, property and circumstances, and explain the policies that appear to fit.
03
Apply and Work Through to Settlement
We prepare the application, work through lender follow-up during assessment and, if you proceed, coordinate the finance steps through to settlement.
DIRECT BROKER ACCESS, START TO SETTLEMENT
One Point of Contact
You deal with Christian directly, from the first conversation through lender questions and, if you proceed, through to settlement.
First Home Buyer Guidance
We explain each step as it comes — pre-approval, contracts, valuation and settlement — so you understand what is happening and what is needed from you.
Lender Options Relevant to You
We consider lender options relevant to your location, property and circumstances, rather than a single lender's policy.
COMMON QUESTIONS FROM FIRST HOME BUYERS
How much deposit do I need to buy my first home?
There is no single figure. The deposit a lender looks for depends on the loan, the property, your circumstances and whether lenders mortgage insurance applies. A larger deposit reduces the amount you borrow and may help you avoid LMI, while a smaller deposit may still be possible with LMI, a family guarantee or an eligible government scheme. You will also need to allow for other costs, such as stamp duty, legal fees and inspections. We work out a realistic target for your situation before you start making offers.
What are genuine savings, and do I need them?
Lenders can apply their own definition of genuine savings. It generally relates to funds that have been held or accumulated over a period rather than appearing immediately before an application, but the evidence required varies by lender and loan type. Gifts and other sources of funds may still be acceptable in some circumstances even where they are not treated as genuine savings. We check the relevant lender requirements early so you know what evidence will be needed.
What is LMI, and when might I pay it?
Lenders mortgage insurance protects the lender, not you, if a loan is not repaid and the property sells for less than the amount owed. It may apply when your deposit is smaller relative to the property's value. The cost varies with the loan amount, your deposit and the lender. Depending on the lender and product, the premium may be paid upfront or capitalised into the loan. Some borrowers may be eligible for a waiver or reduced LMI through certain schemes or lender policies. We explain whether LMI may apply to you and how it affects the overall cost before you decide.
Can my parents or family help as a guarantor?
In some cases, yes. A family member may be able to offer equity in their own property as additional security for part of your loan, which can reduce the deposit you need or help you avoid LMI. It is a serious commitment. If you cannot meet the repayments, the guarantor may be required to cover the guaranteed amount, and their property could be at risk. Lenders set their own rules on who can act as a guarantor and how a guarantee can later be released. Guarantors are often required or encouraged to obtain independent legal advice, and we explain what obligations it creates for them.
Am I eligible for a first home buyer grant or concession?
It depends on where you are buying, the property, its value and your own circumstances. First home buyer grants, stamp duty concessions and government-backed deposit schemes are set by state and federal governments, carry their own eligibility rules and change over time, which is why we do not quote amounts or thresholds on this page. We help you check the current rules that may apply to your purchase and factor any eligible support into your plan, without relying on it until it is confirmed.
Does HELP debt affect how much I can borrow?
It can. HELP debt may affect serviceability because lenders allow for the required repayments when assessing the income available for a home loan. The treatment can vary with income and lender policy, so the effect is not identical for every borrower. We include the HELP position in the borrowing-capacity assessment so you can see how it affects the indicative range before deciding on a purchase price.