Stop Dreaming, Start Buying: Your Path to Your First Home
Buying your first home is one of life’s biggest milestones, but between deposit hurdles, government grants, and confusing processes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I’m here to clear the path. I’ll help you navigate the schemes, find your borrowing power, and secure a loan that gets you, your home.
Your Journey Into Your New Home
The Reality Check
I calculate exactly how much you can borrow and what your repayments will look like, so you can shop with a realistic budget.
The Free Money Hunt
I investigate every government grant, stamp duty exemption, and deposit scheme you are eligible for (see below).
The Pre-Approval
We secure a formal pre-approval from a lender, giving you the power to make serious offers at auctions or open homes.
The Purchase
Once you find “the one”, I finalise the loan, coordinate with your solicitor, and guide you all the way to settlement day.
Unlock the Grants You’re Entitled To
Don’t leave money on the table. The rules change constantly, but I stay up to date so you don’t have to.
First Home Owner Grant
A cash grant (usually $10k+) for buying or building a new home. I’ll handle the paperwork to get this paid directly at settlement.
Stamp Duty Concessions
Many states offer full or partial exemptions on transfer duty for first buyers. This can save you tens of thousands of dollars upfront.
First Home Guarantee Scheme
A federal scheme that allows you to buy with just a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
First Home Super Saver (FHSS) Scheme
A tax-effective way to save for your deposit using your superannuation fund. I can explain how lenders view these savings.
Struggling with the 20% Deposit?
You might be closer than you think. You don’t always need a 20% deposit to buy a home.
Guarantor Loans (Family Pledge)
Your parents can help you enter the market without giving you cash. By using a small portion of their home’s equity as security, you can buy with a small deposit (or even no deposit) and avoid LMI completely.
Low Deposit Options
Many lenders will approve loans with a 5-10% deposit if you have a strong income and rental history. While LMI applies, the cost of getting into the market now often outweighs the cost of waiting years to save more.
Start Your Journey to Home Ownership Now
Your first home is closer than you think. Let’s investigate your eligibility for grants and find out exactly what you can afford.
Common Questions by First Home Buyers
Technically, you can buy with as little as 5% genuine savings. However, anything under 20% usually incurs Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The “sweet spot” is often 10-12% plus costs, but government schemes can help you buy with 5% without the LMI cost.
LMI is a one-off insurance premium that protects the bank (not you) if you default on your loan. It’s charged when you have a small deposit (high risk). It can cost thousands, but it can often be added to your loan so you don’t have to pay it upfront.
Most lenders want to see that you have saved your deposit yourself over at least 3 months. This proves you have the discipline to make repayments. Gifts, tax refunds, or car sales usually don’t count as “genuine,” but some lenders have exceptions to this rule.
Yes! A “gifted deposit” is very common. You will just need a signed “Gift Letter” from your parents stating the money is a gift and not a loan (i.e., they don’t expect it back).
A pre-approval is a conditional promise from a lender to loan you a specific amount. It gives you a strict budget and shows real estate agents that you are a serious buyer, putting you in a stronger negotiating position.
This depends on your income, expenses, and existing debts (like HECS/HELP or credit cards). Be careful with online calculators—they are often inaccurate. I can provide a precise figure that factors in lender-specific policies on things like overtime and living expenses.
No. My service to you as a standard residential mortgage broker is generally free. I am paid a commission by the lender you choose after your loan settles. This commission is not added to your loan; the rate is the same whether you go direct or use a broker.
It depends on your budget. A fixed rate gives you certainty—your repayments won’t change for a set period (e.g., 3 years). A variable rate can go up or down but offers more flexibility (like making extra repayments). Many first buyers “split” their loan to get the best of both.
Yes, this is called “Rentvesting.” You buy a property in an area you can afford (and rent it out) while continuing to rent where you want to live. It gets you into the market sooner, and you may still be eligible for some First Home concessions (though often fewer than if you lived in it).
Aside from the deposit, you need to budget for “completion costs.” These include Stamp Duty (if not exempt), building and pest inspections ($500-$800), solicitor/conveyancer fees ($1,500-$2,500), and loan application fees. I will provide a full “Funds to Complete” sheet so you aren’t caught short.
You can still buy a house with a HECS debt, but it does reduce your borrowing power because the monthly repayment is counted as an expense. It doesn’t affect your credit score or deposit, just the maximum amount the bank will lend you.
From our first chat to pre-approval usually takes 1-2 weeks. Once you find a property, formal approval takes another 1-2 weeks. Settlement (when you get the keys) is typically 42 days (6 weeks) after you exchange contracts, though this can be negotiated.
Yes, this is called a “Joint Application” or “Tenants in Common.” It boosts your borrowing power significantly. However, you need to be careful about future plans—if one person wants to sell or buy another property later, it can get complicated. We should discuss an “Exit Strategy” before you apply.