Frequently asked questions.

Photo ID, your last two payslips (or tax returns if self-employed), bank statements showing savings, details of existing debts, and a rough idea of living expenses. Organised beforehand it makes the meeting productive — but missing pieces are never a problem.

In most cases, nothing. We’re paid a commission by the lender when your loan settles — not by you — and every arrangement is disclosed in full before you proceed.

No. Initial consultations are free and carry no obligation.

A lender’s indication of how much it will lend, based on your income, expenses and deposit. It gives you a realistic budget and credibility with agents, and it’s strongly recommended before auctions. Typically lasts around 90 days and can usually be renewed.

20% avoids Lender’s Mortgage Insurance, but 5–10% deposits are possible with most lenders (with LMI), eligible first-home buyers can access guarantee schemes at 5% with no LMI, and guarantor support can reduce the requirement further. Subject to eligibility.

Lender’s Mortgage Insurance protects the lender — not you — if a loan can’t be repaid. It’s typically a one-off premium when borrowing above 80% of the property value, and can often be added to the loan.

An offset is a linked account whose balance reduces the loan interest calculation daily while staying accessible. A redraw holds extra repayments inside the loan for withdrawal later. Which suits you depends on tax and money habits — especially for investors.

Fixed buys certainty for a term but limits flexibility and can carry break costs; variable moves with the market but keeps offset, redraw and unlimited extra repayments. Split loans blend both. We model the scenarios so you decide on numbers, not guesswork.

As a guide: pre-approval within days to two weeks, formal approval one to three weeks from application, settlement usually four to six weeks after contracts. Lender turnarounds shift constantly — part of our job is knowing who’s fast right now.

You house-hunt with a known budget. When you sign a contract, the application converts to full approval: the lender values the property and we manage the conditions through to unconditional. Pre-approval typically holds for around 90 days.

Conditional approval means the lender will proceed subject to listed items — commonly valuation and final documents. Unconditional means every condition is satisfied and the lender is committed. Don’t rely on conditional approval to go unconditional on a purchase without advice on your specific conditions.

Yes — progress-payment lending for new builds and major renovations is a core service. See Construction & Renovation Loans.