First Home Buyers
What Are the Hidden Costs of Buying a Home in Australia?
Beyond the deposit: stamp duty, conveyancing, inspections, registration and loan fees, LMI and moving costs — what else buying a home actually costs.
Guides & explainers
Page 4 of 12.
First Home Buyers
Does Pre-Approval Guarantee That the Bank Will Lend Me the Money?
No — pre-approval doesn't guarantee a home loan. Why valuation, final checks and changed circumstances can still affect the bank's final decision.
First Home Buyers
What Is Home Loan Pre-Approval and How Long Does It Last in Australia?
What home loan pre-approval means, why it's conditional rather than a guarantee, and why how long it lasts is set by each lender, not one fixed rule.
First Home Buyers
What Are the Step-by-Step Stages of Buying a House in Australia?
The stages of buying a house in Australia, from budget and pre-approval to settlement, and how the order shifts between private treaty and auction.
First Home Buyers
Can I get a home loan with a non-bank lender as a first home buyer?
Yes — non-bank lenders hold an Australian Credit Licence and follow the same responsible-lending rules as banks. What differs, and what to check first.
First Home Buyers
What fees are associated with switching home loan lenders in Australia?
Costs to weigh before switching home loan lenders — discharge fees, new-lender fees, government charges, break costs and LMI — no invented figures.
First Home Buyers
What is a home loan comparison rate and why does it matter?
A comparison rate combines a home loan's interest rate and most fees into one figure lenders must advertise — what it includes, and where it falls short.
First Home Buyers
What Is a Basic Home Loan vs. a Packaged Home Loan in Australia?
Basic vs packaged home loans compared — the bundled features, the annual fee structure, and how to weigh whether the bundle pays for itself.
First Home Buyers
Can I Negotiate My Interest Rate with a Major Australian Bank?
Yes, you can ask a bank to lower your home loan rate — what lenders may weigh when you ask, and why any outcome is at their discretion.
First Home Buyers
Should a First Home Buyer Choose a Fixed, Variable, or Split Home Loan?
There's no single right loan type — the factors are rate-certainty needs, extra repayments, risk appetite, and whether a split suits you.
First Home Buyers
How Do Mortgage Brokers Get Paid, and Is Their Service Really Free?
How mortgage brokers are paid in Australia — upfront and trail commission from the lender — and what 'free' really means for the borrower.
First Home Buyers
Should I Use a Mortgage Broker or Go Directly to My Bank?
A broker compares multiple lenders; going direct means one lender, possibly one you already know. The factors to weigh, with no single right answer.