Questions, answered.

A mortgage broker compares home loans across many lenders on your behalf, recommends the ones that suit your situation, and manages the application from start to settlement. Instead of applying to one bank and hoping, you get the market compared for you — and we're legally required to act in your best interests.

A relaxed 30–45 minute chat — in person, by phone or video. We talk through your goals, income and deposit, then explain what's realistic and what your next steps look like. No paperwork required to begin.

If you're even thinking about buying or refinancing, yes. The earlier we chat, the more we can help you prepare — from tidying up your borrowing position to timing your application well.

Not at all. The assessment is free and there's no obligation to proceed. We'd rather you feel genuinely comfortable than rushed.

The traditional target is 20% of the purchase price, which avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance. But plenty of buyers get in with less — 10%, 5%, or even smaller with a guarantor or a government scheme. You'll also need funds for stamp duty and costs, unless a concession applies. We'll work out the real number for your situation.

Often, yes. Some lenders accept a 5% deposit with Lenders Mortgage Insurance, and government guarantee schemes let eligible buyers purchase with as little as 5% without paying LMI. Places in those schemes are limited, so timing matters — it's worth checking your eligibility early.

It depends on your income, living expenses, deposit and existing debts — including credit card limits, even if you never use them. Lenders also stress-test you at around 3% above the actual rate. Our borrowing power calculator gives you an instant estimate, and in your free assessment we'll give you a realistic range before you start house-hunting.

LMI is a one-off insurance premium that protects the lender — not you — when you borrow more than 80% of a property's value. It can often be added to your loan rather than paid upfront. Guarantor arrangements and government schemes can reduce or remove it entirely.

In most cases, nothing. We're paid a commission by the lender you ultimately choose, so our service is usually free to you. If a fee ever applies to your situation, we'll tell you upfront and in writing before you commit.

Yes. We're legally required to act in your best interests, and commissions across our panel are broadly similar — so there's no incentive to steer you anywhere but the right loan.

More than 40, from the big four banks to specialist and non-bank lenders — hundreds of individual loan products in total. We shortlist the ones that genuinely fit your situation.

An offset account is a transaction account linked to your home loan. Its balance is subtracted from your loan balance before interest is calculated, so $20,000 sitting in offset against a $500,000 loan means you're only charged interest on $480,000. Your money stays accessible, which is what makes offset so useful compared with paying extra straight onto the loan.

Fixed gives you certainty — your repayment won't move for the fixed period, but you usually lose offset benefits and pay break costs to exit early. Variable moves with the market and offers more flexibility. Many borrowers split their loan across both. The right answer depends on your budget certainty and plans, which is exactly what we'll talk through.

Often, yes — self-employed income, casual work, past credit issues or unusual properties are all things we deal with regularly. We'll be straight with you about what's possible.

It's worth reviewing if your rate is noticeably higher than what's currently available, your fixed period is ending, you want to consolidate debt, or you'd like to access equity. Refinancing isn't automatically the right move — there are switching costs and, if your equity is low, LMI can apply. We'll compare the real numbers before you decide.

Existing customers often quietly end up on higher rates than new ones — the so-called loyalty tax. If you haven't reviewed your loan in a couple of years, there's a reasonable chance you're paying more than you need to. A quick review costs you nothing.

Often, yes. If your property has grown in value, you may be able to access the usable equity as a deposit for an investment purchase, without selling. How the loans are structured matters a great deal for tax and future borrowing, so it's worth planning properly from the start.

No. An initial chat and assessment don't involve a credit check. A formal application later does, and we'll always get your okay first.

It varies by lender and how complete your documents are — anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. We'll keep you updated at every stage so you're never left wondering.

Pre-approval is a lender's conditional indication of how much they'd lend you, usually valid for around three months. It lets you shop with confidence, negotiate more strongly, and avoid falling for a property you can't finance. For most buyers it's a sensible first step.

We stay in touch. As rates and your circumstances change, we review your loan to make sure it still suits you — so you don't quietly drift onto an uncompetitive rate.