Big News: 5% Deposit Scheme Brought Forward – What This Means for First Home Buyers in Melbourne
The Federal Government has just announced that the expanded Home Guarantee Scheme will start three months earlier than planned — now on 1 October. This is huge news for first home buyers because it means: You can get into the market with just a 5% deposit You’ll pay no Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) — […]
“Dad, how much deposit will I need to buy a house?”
“Dad, how much deposit will I need to buy a house?” This is Bailey, my 13-year-old. He’s already more house-savvy than most adults I know. He scrolls realestate.com like it’s TikTok, spots new listings in our area before I do, and talks about buying a house all the time. The other day he asked me: […]
Rate Cut: Two Ways You Can Win With Your Home Loan
The RBA has just delivered a 3rd rate cut but the real question is: what will you do with it? Whether you use it to free up your budget or power ahead on your loan, this small change could make a big difference. Here’s what it looks like in real dollars. Option 1: Enjoy Lower Repayments If […]
🏠 Renting Out a Room Could Help You Secure Your Next Home Loan, Here’s How
https://vimeo.com/1108951884?share=copyWith the cost of living in 2025 continuing to rise, more Aussies are choosing to rent a room rather than take on an entire house or apartment. It makes total sense, it’s more affordable, often more convenient, and let’s be honest, sometimes it’s just nice to have a bit of company around! If you’re thinking […]
You Can Buy a House, But Can You Survive the IKEA Trip First?
The Unexpected Test That Predicts You’re Ready to Own Property (Seriously). They say if you can survive a trip to IKEA with your partner, you’re ready for marriage. We say….if you can survive IKEA and the checkout line, you might just be ready to buy your first home. Sound ridiculous? Maybe. But hear us out. […]
Major Change to How Student Debt Affects Your Borrowing Power!
If you’re a first home buyer – or simply someone with a student loan weighing down your borrowing power – there’s some big news that could tip the scales in your favour. Recently, one of Australia’s major banks announced a game-changing update to how it treats student loans like HECS/HELP when assessing home loan applications. […]
The Side Hustle Trap: How Uber Driving, Freelance Work or Etsy Sales Can Hurt (or Help) Your Loan Application
The gig economy is booming – and so is confusion when it comes to getting a home loan. Whether you drive for Uber, sell art on Etsy, freelance as a designer, or have a side hustle consulting on weekends, you’re part of a growing group of Australians earning income outside the traditional 9 to 5. […]
Melbourne’s Most Underrated First Home Buyer Suburbs – And What You’ll Actually Need to Get In
If you’ve been feeling like Melbourne’s property market is out of reach as a first home buyer, you’re not alone. Headlines love to focus on million-dollar postcodes and fierce auction battles – but the good news? There are still hidden gems out there. As a mortgage broker who works closely with first home buyers across […]
Buying After Divorce or Separation? Here’s the Advice I Give My Closest Friends
If you’ve recently separated or gone through a divorce and are now trying to figure out your next move – financially, emotionally, or physically -first, take a breath. This post is for you. As a mortgage broker, I’ve worked with many clients in this exact situation. But I also want you to know something important: […]
Here’s What You Need to Know About a Pre-Approval
So, you’re ready to buy your first property. Congrats! It’s a big step, and one of the most important things you can do early in the process is get pre-approved. But what does that actually mean, how do you do it, and why does it matter? Let’s break it down 👇 ✅ What is a […]