It's a big step — and it's normal to feel overwhelmed. This page walks you through what to expect, what help is available, and how the process actually works.
There are dozens of lenders, hundreds of loan products, government grants you might qualify for, and paperwork you've never seen before. Most first home buyers feel overwhelmed at the start — and that's completely fine.
A mortgage broker sits between you and the lenders. Instead of walking into a bank and hoping their one product works for you, a broker compares options across 44+ lenders to find what actually fits your situation. They handle the applications, chase the paperwork, and explain everything along the way.
You don't pay for this. Brokers are paid by the lender when your loan settles — so the advice and comparison costs you nothing.
Mortgage brokers are paid by the lender, not by you. The comparison, the advice, the paperwork — it's all free. There's no catch.
Walking into a bank means you see one set of products. A broker compares across 44 lenders — different rates, different features, different approval criteria. More options means a better fit.
There are government schemes that can help you buy with as little as 5% deposit and avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The First Home Owner Grant, First Home Guarantee, and Family Home Guarantee could save you tens of thousands.
You tell us where you're at — savings, income, what you're looking for. No paperwork yet. Just a chat to understand your options.
Your broker searches across 44 lenders and comes back with a clear recommendation — the best rate, the right features, and why it fits your situation.
Once you choose a loan, the support team handles the application, chases the paperwork, and manages everything through to settlement. You barely lift a finger.
Most lenders ask for 5–10% of the property price. If you have less than 20%, you'll normally pay something called Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) — an extra cost that protects the lender, not you. The good news: government schemes like the First Home Guarantee let you buy with just 5% deposit and skip the LMI entirely. It's worth checking if you qualify before assuming you need a bigger deposit.
More than you probably think. In Queensland, the First Home Owner Grant gives you $30,000 toward a new build. The First Home Guarantee lets you buy with 5% deposit and no LMI. The Family Home Guarantee helps single parents buy with just 2% deposit. There are also stamp duty concessions depending on your property price. Eligibility depends on your income, the property value, and whether you've owned before. A broker can tell you exactly what applies to your situation in about ten minutes.
Getting pre-approved usually takes 3–5 business days. That's the "you're approved to borrow up to $X" stage — useful to have before you start making offers. Once you find a property and go unconditional, settlement typically takes 4–6 weeks. The timeline varies by lender and how quickly paperwork comes through, but the whole process from first conversation to keys in hand is usually 2–3 months.
A bank can only offer you their own products. A mortgage broker compares loans across dozens of lenders — in our case, 44 — to find the one that best fits your situation. Different lenders have different rates, approval criteria, and features. A broker does the shopping for you and handles the application. The service is free to you — brokers are paid by the lender when the loan settles.
Completely. Most first home buyers feel the same way. You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out — that's literally what the first conversation is for. No paperwork, no commitment. Just a chat about where you're at, what you're thinking, and what your options look like. If you're not ready, that's fine too. There's no pressure and no timeline.
No commitment, no paperwork. Just a conversation about where you're at and what your options look like.