Plain-English guidance on deposits, grants, schemes and the lender process — so you can buy your first home without the guesswork.
The biggest hurdle for most first home buyers isn't whether they can afford it — it's not knowing what they don't know. Our job is to walk you through the whole journey: working out how much you can comfortably borrow, what grants and schemes you qualify for, and which lenders treat first home buyers well.
Most lenders look for a 5–20% deposit, but the magic number is 20% — at that point you can usually avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can add thousands to your loan. There are exceptions. Government schemes can let you buy with as little as 5% deposit without LMI if you qualify, and some professions (like medical or legal) can borrow up to 90–95% without LMI.
Rules and thresholds change. We'll check what's current for your state and your situation before recommending anything.
We take the time to understand your goals, answer your questions, and discuss your financial situation.
We compare suitable loan options from our panel of lenders and explain the features and costs in simple language.
We help prepare your application and supporting documents before submitting them to the lender.
We'll keep you informed throughout the assessment process and assist with any additional information the lender may require.
We'll guide you through settlement and continue to support you after your loan has settled.
Nothing, in the vast majority of cases. We're paid by the lender once your loan settles, and that doesn't change your rate. We'll be upfront with you if any scenario is different — that's part of our Credit Guide, which we provide before you commit to anything.
The amount varies depending on the lender and your circumstances. We'll help you understand your options and what may be required.
Some lenders and government schemes may assist eligible borrowers with lower deposits. We'll discuss the options available to you.
Approval times vary between lenders, but we'll keep you updated throughout the process.
Lenders Mortgage Insurance protects the lender (not you) when you borrow more than 80% of the property value. You can avoid it with a 20% deposit, the First Home Guarantee, or — for some professions — lender exemptions.
No. Pre-approval is a strong indicator but is subject to the property valuing up and your circumstances not changing materially before settlement. We'll explain exactly what your pre-approval covers.
Stamp duty (if applicable), conveyancing or solicitor fees, building & pest inspection, lender fees, council and water rate adjustments, and moving costs. We'll give you a full estimate for your situation.
The first conversation is free, takes about 15 minutes, and you'll come away with a clear next step.
Honest Advice. Transparent Service. Trusted Support.
