Buying your first home

The process is more involved than most people expect. We walk alongside you from your first budget conversation all the way to settlement day.

Is this right for you?

Who we help buying their first home

You know you want to buy but don't know where to start

Not sure what the process even looks like or what your first move should be

You don't know what you can actually afford and borrow

You need a clear borrowing capacity before you start looking at properties

You've got a deposit and you're ready to move

You need pre-approval and someone to guide you through what comes next

You've found a property and need to act quickly

Time-sensitive and you want a broker who will move with you

You want to understand it, not just get through it

We explain each step so you feel confident, not just signed up

How It Works

A simple, compliant process to manage your taxes with confidence

Work Out Your Budget

We help you understand what you can borrow and what you can comfortably afford

Organise Your Loan

We compare lenders, structure the loan, and get you pre-approved

Guide You Through Buying

We support you through offers, auctions, and the contract so you buy with confidence

Settlement

We work with your conveyancer and the lender to get you to settlement and the keys

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the first step to buying my first home?

The first step is working out what you can actually borrow and comfortably afford, before you start looking at properties. Online calculators give a rough guide, but they don’t account for your full income, expenses, and commitments the way a lender does. We sit down with you, review your real position, and give you a clear borrowing figure to shop with. That way you’re looking at the right properties from day one.

How much deposit do I need?

It depends on the lender and whether you qualify for a government scheme. Some lenders accept a smaller deposit, though a deposit under 20% usually means paying lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). Eligible first home buyers may be able to buy with a lower deposit and avoid LMI through the Home Guarantee Scheme administered by Housing Australia, where places are limited each financial year. We talk through what applies to you and what your real deposit target is.

What's the difference between pre-approval and full approval?

Pre-approval is a lender’s early indication that they’re comfortable lending you a certain amount, based on your situation at that point. It is conditional, not a guarantee. Full approval comes after you’ve found a property and the lender is satisfied with the contract and the valuation. Knowing which stage you’re at matters, especially before you bid or sign. We explain exactly where you stand at each step.

Is it safe to bid at auction with pre-approval?

This is one of the most important things to understand. An auction purchase is unconditional, which means you cannot add a finance clause and you’re committed once the hammer falls. Pre-approval is still subject to the lender’s valuation and final checks, so there’s risk if you bid before those are settled. We walk you through your position before any auction so you understand the risk and how to manage it. For private sales, a finance clause may be an option, and we explain how that works.

How long does pre-approval last?

Most pre-approvals are valid for around 60 to 90 days, depending on the lender. If you haven’t found a property in that window, it can usually be renewed with updated documents. We keep track of your timeline so your pre-approval doesn’t lapse at the wrong moment, and we let you know what to avoid in the meantime, like changing jobs or taking on new debt, which can affect your borrowing.

NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

Have a conversation with us. We’ll tell you clearly what’s possible