First-home buyer guidance
Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also bring a lot of unfamiliar questions. How much could you borrow? How much deposit will you need? What other costs should you allow for? And when should you apply for pre-approval?
Ross can help you understand the finance side of buying, explain the process clearly and guide you from your early planning through to settlement.
Before the property search
You do not need to have found a property before speaking with a mortgage broker. Starting earlier can help you understand what may be realistic, identify information that lenders may require and build a clearer plan for your deposit and purchase costs.
01Income and employment
02Existing loans and credit limits
03Living expenses and commitments
04Available savings
05Deposit history
06Expected purchase costs
07Preferred locations and possible purchase price
08Timing and future plans
Any borrowing estimate is indicative until the relevant information has been assessed and a lender has completed its own review.
Five areas Ross can help with
Work through the lending details, purchase costs and practical steps with one point of contact.
Understand the information lenders may consider and receive an indicative view of what could be realistic based on your circumstances.
Build a clearer picture of the funds you may need beyond the advertised property price.
Explore government schemes, guarantees, grants and concessions that may be relevant to your circumstances.
Government programs and eligibility rules can change. Availability may depend on factors such as income, citizenship or residency, previous property ownership, purchase price, the state or territory where you buy and whether the property will be your home.
Explore suitable loan options from the available lender panel and understand what may be required to seek pre-approval.
Pre-approval is generally conditional and does not guarantee that finance will be approved for every property.
Know what happens next, what information may be required and where your application sits throughout the process.
From planning to settlement
Discuss what you are hoping to buy, your timing, your savings and any questions you already have.
Review the relevant financial information and develop an indicative picture of borrowing capacity, deposit requirements and purchase costs.
Compare suitable lending options from the available lender panel and explain the important differences.
Collect the required documents and submit an application where pre-approval is appropriate.
Stay in contact while you search and revisit the figures if the property or purchase price changes.
Complete the lender’s remaining assessment, including the property and contract requirements.
Work with the lender and relevant professionals as the loan documents are completed and settlement approaches.
Remain available for questions and future loan reviews.
Government assistance and purchase costs
Depending on your circumstances and where you are buying, assistance may be available through a government guarantee, first-home-owner grant or transfer-duty concession.
Each program has its own eligibility rules. Previous property ownership, income, citizenship or residency, property value, property type and intended occupancy may all affect eligibility.
Ross can help you identify programs that may be relevant and explain how they interact with the proposed lending. Final eligibility is determined under the applicable program and government rules.
A government guarantee may support an eligible buyer’s loan with a smaller deposit. It is not a cash payment.
A grant is a payment available only when the relevant program’s requirements are met.
A concession or exemption may reduce or remove transfer duty under the rules in the state or territory where you buy.
Government programs, thresholds and eligibility requirements may change. Information should be confirmed against current official sources before relying on it.
Useful calculator
Use the repayment calculator to explore how the loan amount, interest rate, loan term and repayment frequency may affect estimated repayments.
Calculator results are estimates only and do not represent borrowing capacity or loan approval.
Open repayment calculatorFrequently asked questions
Personal guidance
From the first conversation through to settlement, Ross remains your point of contact. He will explain the process, keep you informed and help you understand what comes next.
With more than 16 years of property experience, Ross also understands the practical side of searching for and purchasing a home—not only the loan application.
Meet Ross CrouchA conversation is a good place to start
Whether you are ready to seek pre-approval or simply want to understand what could be possible, book a relaxed initial conversation with Ross.