First Home Buyer Loans
Your first home, financed properly the first time.
Adjust the inputs below for an indicative borrowing range, then we will pressure test it against real lender policy on your strategy call.
Borrowing Power
Estimate what you could buy as a first home buyer.
Adjust the inputs below for an indicative borrowing range, then we will pressure-test it against real lender policy on your strategy call.
Borrowing Power Calculator
Estimated borrowing capacity
$652,000
Indicative only. Actual capacity depends on lender policy, credit history, dependants and verified income.
Deposit from 5%
Low-deposit and scheme-backed pathways that avoid or reduce LMI.
Costs mapped
Every fee, duty and charge outlined before you commit.
Fast pre-approval
Complete files lodged within a day so you can bid with confidence.
Grants mapped
Every state grant and stamp duty concession checked against your purchase.
Overview
Estimate your borrowing power
Borrowing capacity is not one number. It is a different number at every lender. Each one assesses your income, expenses, and existing commitments against its own policy, then stress tests the repayment at roughly three percentage points above the actual rate.
That means two lenders looking at the identical payslip can land more than $100,000 apart. Overtime, bonuses, casual income and HECS debt are all treated differently, and the lender that suits a salaried buyer is rarely the one that suits a commission-based sales role.
Our job is to first map where your income profile is treated most generously, then build the deposit and structure around it, including whether a government guarantee, family guarantor or lenders mortgage insurance premium is the cleaner route to getting in.
Want the real number instead of an estimate? We can model your capacity across four lenders on a 15-minute call.
Strategy Deep-Dive
What actually decides your approval.
Deposit, LMI and the 20% question
A 20% deposit avoids lenders mortgage insurance, but waiting to save it can cost more than the premium if prices move. We compare the true cost of entering now versus later.
5% deposit pathways including government guarantee schemes
Family guarantor structures that avoid LMI entirely
Genuine savings requirements and how gifted funds are assessed
Credit score and file history
Lenders read your credit file for pattern, not just score. Repeat enquiries, buy-now-pay-later accounts and small defaults can matter more than the headline number.
Why scattered pre-approval applications damage your position
Closing unused credit cards before assessment, not after
How telco and utility defaults are treated by different lenders
Living expenses and the HEM benchmark
Lenders compare your declared expenses to a household benchmark and use the higher figure. Three months of statements decide this, so how you spend now shapes what you can borrow.
Subscriptions, gambling transactions and cash withdrawals under review
Dependants, private school fees and childcare in the assessment
How buffer rates compound the impact of every fixed commitment
Not sure whether you qualify for a scheme? Ask us — it takes one phone call to find out.
Before You Apply
Six ways to lift your capacity before you apply.
Small changes in the three months before assessment routinely add tens of thousands to what a lender will approve.
01Clear or reduce credit limits
Lenders assess a card at roughly 3.8% of its limit each month. An unused $10,000 limit alone can reduce total borrowing power by over $50,000.
02Tidy three months of statements
Assessors read the account your salary lands in. Consistent, modest spending with no dishonour marks reads far better than a volatile balance.
03Pause new applications
Every credit enquiry is visible on your file. Stop applying for cards, car finance and BNPL accounts before your loan application goes in
04Document all income
Overtime, bonuses and second jobs count, but only with the right evidence and history. We map which lender counts what and how they verify it.
05Consider a longer term
Extending from 25 to 30 years lifts capacity. You can offset this later with extra repayments into an offset account to reduce total interest.
06Get pre-approved before you bid
Pre-approval sets your ceiling and puts you in a position to negotiate from strength. Agents and vendors can see that you are a serious buyer.
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Most lenders require a minimum of 5% of the purchase price as genuine savings, though some government backed schemes allow as little as 2%. A 20% deposit avoids lenders mortgage insurance, but waiting to save that amount is not always the best strategy. We compare the true cost of entering now versus later so you can make an informed decision.
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Once we have your documents, most pre-approvals are submitted within a day and come back within 4 to 48 hours depending on the lender. Pre-approval is typically valid for 90 days, and we track the expiry and manage renewals so you do not lose your position while searching.
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Pre-approval confirms your borrowing capacity based on the information you provide, but it is not a final approval. The property still needs to meet the lender's valuation and security requirements. We structure your application to reduce the risk of issues at that stage.
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Stamp duty is usually the largest additional cost, but you should also allow for conveyancing or legal fees, building and pest inspections, lenders mortgage insurance if applicable, and loan establishment fees. We provide a full cost breakdown tailored to your purchase before you commit.
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It depends on the lender and the scheme. Some allow it, others do not. We check your eligibility across all current state and federal programs and assess whether combining a guarantee with a scheme is possible and beneficial in your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions, answered.
Book Your Strategy Call
Find out what you can buy — before you fall in love with a listing.
Leave a name and number and we will confirm your grant and scheme eligibility, your true deposit requirement, and the price band you can bid in with confidence.