Your borrowing power is determined by a combination of your income, expenses and existing debts. Lenders will usually look at things like HECS/HELP debt, credit cards, car loans, personal loans, living expenses and spending habits when assessing how much you may be able to borrow.

It’s also important to know that borrowing power and purchase price are not the same thing. ✨

Your borrowing power is the amount a lender may be willing to lend you, while your savings and deposit work alongside that amount to make up your potential purchase price — while also allowing for additional costs involved in buying a property.

That’s why understanding your position early can help you set a more realistic budget and feel more confident about your next steps.

A 20% deposit is what you’ll most commonly hear about when buying a property — but it’s not always necessary. ✨

Many lenders can lend up to 95% of a property’s value, meaning in some cases you may be able to purchase with as little as a 5% deposit.

When borrowing more than 80% of the property value, lenders will usually require something called Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). This is a one-off insurance cost that protects the lender, not the borrower.

The good news is that some lenders participate in government schemes designed to support eligible first home buyers, which may allow you to buy with a 5% deposit without paying LMI.

There are also certain professions that may qualify for LMI waivers or reduced LMI with selected lenders — which can potentially save thousands depending on your situation.

✨ Tip: This is where speaking with a broker can make a big difference. Different lenders have different policies, grants, schemes and profession-based exceptions, so understanding your options early can help you make a more informed decision.

Your deposit is one part of the upfront costs involved in buying a property — but it’s important to budget for a few additional expenses as well. ✨

Depending on your situation, this may include:

• Stamp duty and government costs

• Conveyancing or legal fees

• Building and pest inspections (if you choose to include this as part of your contract conditions)

• Moving costs and setup expenses

Pre-approval is when a lender gives you an indication of how much you may be able to borrow based on your current financial position — including things like your income, debts, expenses and savings — before you officially purchase a property. ✨

It can help you understand your budget, shop with more confidence, and move quicker when you find the right home.

It’s important to know though that pre-approval isn’t always a final guarantee. Once you sign a contract on a property within your approved price range, the lender will usually reassess both your financial situation and the property itselfbefore providing formal approval.

This is to ensure they’re still comfortable with the application, the property value, and that everything meets their lending requirements before moving to the next stage.

Understanding how pre-approval works early can help make the buying process feel a lot less overwhelming. ✨

Yes — being self-employed doesn’t automatically stop you from getting approved for a home loan. ✨

The process can sometimes look a little different compared to PAYG employees, as lenders may want additional documents to verify your income and financial position. This can include things like tax returns, business financials or BAS statements depending on the lender and your situation.

Different lenders also assess self-employed income differently, which is why understanding your options early can make a big difference.

Whether you’re a sole trader, business owner, contractor or company director, there may still be lending options available to support your goals. ✨

I like to keep things clear, honest and simple. ✨

We start with an initial chat where I get to know you, your current situation, and what you’re hoping to achieve. This is also where we talk through your goals and what you want your next steps to look like.

From there, I use this information to compare a range of lenders (with access to over 50 lenders) to find options that best suit your situation and align with your goals.

Once we’ve chosen the right direction, I prepare and lodge your application for you, and handle all communication with the lender on your behalf — taking the stress and back-and-forth off your plate.

I’ll guide you right through to settlement to make the process as smooth as possible. And I don’t just disappear after that — I’m here for you for the life of your home loan whenever you need support or want to review your options. ✨

Nothing — my service is free to you.

When your loan settles, I’m paid a commission by the lender you choose. This means you receive personalised guidance, lender comparisons, application support and ongoing assistance without paying me directly for my services.

From our first chat through to settlement, I’ll be there to guide you through the process and help make things feel a little less overwhelming.

And the support doesn’t stop once your loan settles.

Whether you have questions down the track, want to review your loan, or your circumstances change, I’m here to support you throughout the life of your home loan — not just until settlement day.

Think of me as your go-to person for all things home loans, long after you've picked up the keys.