First-home buyer glossary
Borrowing capacity, LVR, LMI, pre-approval, settlement, offset and redraw explained without the bank-speak.
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Buying at auction: the moment the hammer falls, the risk is yours
Auctions strip out the usual protections. What a short valuation can cost, and the homework to do before auction day.
The two questions banks ask before saying yes
Every rule in home lending exists to answer one of two questions. From a former bank credit assessor.
Paying off your home loan faster is boring, and that is why it works
No magic hack, one mechanic: keep the daily balance lower for longer. Offset, redraw and the quiet leaks.
Family guarantees, explained without the jargon
Buying with little or no deposit using your parents' equity: the structure, the real risks, and the release plan.
Refinancing, equity and cash out, explained simply
A refinance is a new loan replacing the old one, and equity is not the same as cash. The mechanics, the costs, the payback question.
Fixed vs variable: how to decide without guessing
Stop predicting the rate cycle. Run the stress test, then choose the repayment you can live with.
How your LVR band could be quietly costing you money
Bought with a small deposit? Your bank may still price you as high risk. Valuation shopping, and the LMI-again trap.
Home loan pre-approval, explained properly
What pre-approval is, what it is not, how much to apply for, and when getting it too early works against you.
How to get the most value from your mortgage broker
The loan is a commodity; the approval is not. Open with your whole situation, not a rate to beat.
Does your credit score actually matter for a home loan?
Less than you think. You do not need a credit card to qualify, and the score is rarely why you are approved.
First-home buyer glossary
A plain-English guide to the home loan, approval and settlement terms buyers hear early.
10 questions first-home buyers ask before they buy
A plain-English run through the questions buyers ask most often before they start making offers.
The hidden costs first-home buyers forget
The deposit is not the full number. Here are the buying, moving and post-settlement costs to plan for.
5% deposit vs cash to complete
A 5% deposit can help with LVR, but it is not always the full amount needed to settle.
Selling and buying at the same time
Sell first, settle together, or buy first with bridging finance? Here is how to think through the options.
Self-employed income and home loans
How self-employed income is usually looked at, and why the number on paper can be different to the number you use day to day.
Why borrowing numbers can vary between brokers
A quick look at why borrowing estimates can change, and what to check before you rely on a number.
Deposit and borrowing power are not the same thing
The money you have saved and the loan you can afford are related, but they are not the same thing.
How much deposit do first home buyers need?
A simple breakdown of the deposit, the extra costs, and the options that might be worth checking before you wait longer than you need to.
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