Home Loan Experts: Property & Loan Articles

Learn how to get mortgage approval and buy a home

We’re constantly updating our website with the latest news, articles and advice to keep you informed about the latest industry developments.

Our articles combine both recent bank and lending information, as well as articles about saving for a home loan, moving house and getting approval.

Our popular articles on home equity loans

What is LVR?

How does it affect your loan application?

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What are genuine savings?

Do you need genuine savings to get approved?

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How to value a property

Find out how to value properties like a professional!

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Bank policy

Are you eligible for a home loan?

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How reliable is your pre-approval?

Why on the spot approvals don’t count.

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Construction loan tips

Use this guide to avoid the common pitfalls.

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The loan application process

How do I apply for a home loan?

Learn More

The home buying process

The ultimate guide to buying a home.

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After you have been pre-approved

What are the next steps to home ownership?

Learn More


After Mortgage Pre-Approval Learn how to find a property & apply for unconditional home loan approval. Avoid the common mistakes after mortgage pre-approval!	Bank Lending Criteria What is bank lending criteria? Read their lending guidelines on employment, borrower type, loan structure and discover out how to get approved.
Banking Code of Practice 2019 How does the new 2019 Banking Code of Practice (the code) affect you as a bank customer, a small business owner and a guarantor?	Best Interests Duty For Mortgage Brokers Did you know the best interests duty for mortgage brokers doesn’t apply to banks? Find out how your best interests are assessed and its affect.
Blockchain Mortgage A blockchain mortgage could eliminate the costs and inefficiencies of the banks, giving you a much smoother and cheaper home loan process. How does it work?	Building Inspection Don’t want any nasty surprises when you’re buying a home - get a building inspection. It can help you detect defects and help your home buying decision.
Buying Out A Partner On A Mortgage Separation and divorce settlements can be messy affairs, especially when it comes to owning a house. Discover how you can buy out a partner on a mortgage.	Cancelling Credit Cards Some banks require you to reduce your credit limit before approving your home loan. Other lenders just want to see your making your repayments on time.
Choosing A Builder Building your own home or renovating can be life-changing but there can be many common pitfalls in choosing a builder. How do you make the right choice?	Christmas Cut Off Dates Across Lenders (2020) Find out the Christmas cut off dates set across lenders, the offside to them, and how this will affect your home loan process.
Combining Credit Issues Did you know that overcomplicating your application can get your home loan declined? Find out why & how to change your situation to get approved.	Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme Mortgage There are lenders that will use benefits you receive from the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS), Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS) or PSSap.
Conditional vs Unconditional Home Loan Approval Conditional vs unconditional approval: what's the difference? Getting home loan pre-approval is great but you can still be declined for formal approval!	Construction Loan Documents If you're building your own home, what construction loan documents do you need to provide to the bank to ensure a smooth loan process?
Construction loan for a half-built house Have you run out of money halfway through your building project? Has your bank refused to lend you additional funds to complete your home? We can help you.	Construction Loan Tips Construction loans are often set-up with many errors. The loan amount may be incorrect and problems can arise if you make many variations to the contract.
Construction Progress Payments With a construction loan, your lender will pay your builder directly. Find out how to request payments & avoid delays.	Contract of Sale Buying a property? The Contract of Sale spells out your rights as a buyer but getting legal advice from a conveyancer will help you avoid the hidden traps.
Customer-Owned Banking Mutual banks, credit unions, and building societies claim to offer lower interest rates and better service. Is customer-owned banking really that good?	Deposit Bond A deposit bond is a substitute used in place of the 10% cash deposit required when buying a property. Learn when and how you can use it.
Fast Home Loan Approval Need a quick home loan approval? By providing the correct mortgage documents and choosing the right lender, you can fast-track your home loan.	Finalising A Deceased Estate Have you thought about the process of finalising a deceased estate? Discover how you can avoid the common traps of a will and secure your estate planning.
First Home Owners Grant New South Wales The First Home Owners Grant NSW is a one-off payment to help first home owners manage the costs of buying a home. Find out how to apply.	Free Copy Of Your Credit File How do banks decide who to lend to? Find out your credit worthiness with a free Veda credit check.
Genuine Savings Learn more about this home loan type here.	Home Loan Application Process How does the home loan application process work? Find out what documents are needed and the steps involved from pre-approval to formal approval.
Home Loan Fees & Charges Learn how to avoid paying unnecessary home loan fees and charges. You can save on fees at settlement, during the loan term and when you refinance.	Home Loan Health Check Are you in need of a home loan health check? Learn how to increase your limit, switch to a fixed interest rate and just simply manage your home loan better.
Home Loan Process The home loan process starts well before loan application and extends beyond settlement. Find out how to make this process less daunting	Home Loans For Bank Employees Are you employed by a bank and want to buy property? You may find better home loan discounts through a mortgage broker, not your own employer!
House and Land Package Loan A house and land package loan or turnkey loan allows you to buy a new home and take advantage of tax and stamp duty concessions. How do these loans work?	How Does Compulsory Acquisition Work? Government compulsory acquisition of property & land can come as a shock to homeowners but it's important to know your rights and how you'll be compensated.
How HECS Debt Affects Borrowing Power After finishing tertiary education, you can be left with a huge HECS-HELP debt that can impact your borrowing power. Do you qualify for a mortgage?	How Long Does It Take To Get Home Loan Approval? There are a number of steps in the mortgage application process. While some banks are faster, home loan approval time comes down to how organised you are.
How To Challenge The Valuation Has your property valuation come in low? Is it worth it to challenge the valuation or are you better off getting a better going with another bank?	How To Choose A Home Loan? We've narrowed it down to five key areas you need to look for when you're looking for a home loan. Find out what tips to follow when you choose a home loan.
How To Find A Home Loan From Ethical Banks? Are you looking to make an ethical banking choice for your home loans? Here's a guide on how you can choose an ethical home loan provider.	How To Prepare For An Interest Rate Rise How can you prepare for an interest rate rise? You could refinance to a lower rate or make extra home loan repayments. Which option is right for you?
How To Profit In A Falling Property Market Can you profit in a falling property market? The fundamentals of location and choosing the right property still apply in a market downturn. Here's why.	How To Value A Property Can you work out the property value of a house or unit without paying for a valuation? Discover how to value a property using comparable sales!
Is Your Home Loan Pre-Approval Reliable? Have you found a property? Your home loan pre approval can still be withdrawn. Find out how to make sure you get the finance you need to purchase a home.	Kerbside Valuation A kerbside valuation is used to check the condition of a property usually in tandem with a desktop valuation. When is it used and how much does it cost?
Loan Portability Want to avoid the time and cost of refinancing when buying a new home? A loan portability is a convenient home loan solution but what are the drawbacks?	Low LVR Home Loans Find out how to get the best interest rate on low LVR home loans. Learn the numerous benefits and one key disadvantage of a low loan to value ratio loan.
Loyalty Tax Loyalty tax refers to the higher interest rate paid by existing home loan customers compared to new customers. How much are you paying?	Mortgage Exit Strategy Banks don't accept just any mortgage exit strategy. Find out when and why you need one & how to avoid an exit strategy that most banks won't accept.
Mortgage Exposure Limits Do you have an existing mortgage, credit cards and a personal loan? You may have hit your bank's mortgage exposure limit but you can still get a home loan!	Mortgage Payment Deferral As mortgage deferrals come to an end in September, homeowners need to go over their options now rather than waiting. What options are available?
Moving House Checklist Moving to a new home can be easy with careful planning and the right timing. Use this checklist & timeline to plan your move	NCCP Act The National Consumer Credit Protection Act ensures ethical lending practices in the mortgage industry. Find out which loans are or aren't NCCP regulated.
New vs Old Properties Debating on new vs old properties? There's no one answer. Here we look at the pros and cons of both new and old properties and some real-life case studies.	One Borrower, Two Owners Can you or your partner borrow against a property that is jointly owned with someone else? How does one borrower, two owners work and can you get approved?
Online Home Loan What are the pros and cons of online home loans? Cheaper interest rates and lower mortgage fees are tempting but are you missing out as a borrower?	Pest Inspection Checklist Whether you’re buying or selling, getting a pest inspection is recommended before you make an offer. A pest inspection checklist is useful here.
Pre-Settlement Inspection Checklist Be fully prepared for the final inspection before settlement with our Pre-Settlement Inspection Checklist as well as key questions to ask your vendor.	Preparing To Apply For A Loan Applying for a home loan? Read our tips on how to get approved at the lowest interest rate and find out what documents are required for a home loan application
Private Banking Did you know that Private Bank Clients pay higher interest rates on their mortgages? Find out how to get a better deal.	Protect Yourself When Buying A Home From not getting pre-approval to massive bank delays leading up to settlement, learn how to avoid the big mistakes and protect yourself when buying a home.
Real Estate Terms Looking to buy your first home or investment property? Check out our A-Z list of real estate terms and jargon explained in plain English.	Reduce Credit Card Limits For A Home Loan Did you know that banks assume your credit card is fully drawn even when it's not? Reduce your credit card limit to borrow more for your home loan.
Refinance Your Home Loan Learn more about this home loan type here.	Rent vs Buy: Should I Buy A Home Or Keep Renting? Should I buy or should I rent? Find out the pros and cons of buying a home or renting to help you with your decision.
Retirement Age Home Loan Can I get a mortgage at 50? Many banks restrict lending to mature age borrowers but some lenders offer retirement age home loans.	Rezoning Property Rezoning property can be highly-profitable for savvy investors and residential property developers. What are the steps to property rezoning?
Risky Loans Are low doc & no deposit home loans still available? The sub-prime crisis has affected riskier loans in Australia. Find out which lenders still offer them	Save Even More Find out how you can save even more off your home loan by maintaining your old repayments when interest rates fall
Saving A Deposit Saving for a deposit to buy a house? Learn the secrets that will help you get a mortgage, buy a home & get out of the rental market.	Selling & Buying A New Home Buying a new home and selling the old one. Which first? Should you get a bridging loan? How to avoid the juggling act of a simultaneous settlement.
Settlement Risk A home loan can have many setbacks from loan approval to settlement. Here’s how settlement risks can affect you and how you can avoid it.	Should You Choose A Non-bank Lender For Your Home Loan? Australia’s non-bank lenders are making a comeback. What makes them different from traditional banks? Should you choose your next home loan with them?
Should You Pay Off Your Home Loan Or Invest? Making extra mortgage repayments is a smart decision when you start to pay off your loan, but when should you take the leap into property investment?	Sub-Prime Crisis The Australian Government has arranged a funding line for non-bank home loan lenders in Australia which enables these mortgage providers to continue to lend.
Super Or Mortgage? There are tax benefits in making additional superannuation contributions but also pros with extra home loan repayments. Super or mortgage: which is better?	Taking Over Your Parents’ Mortgage You may have considered taking over your parents' mortgage if they’re struggling to meet their home loan repayments. Discover how to assume a home loan.
The Costs Of Selling A Property Selling a property can be more expensive than you think. What are the actual costs of selling a property? Try the costs of selling a house calculator!	The Home Buying Process Find out how to apply for a home loan, find a property, make an offer and secure the home of your dreams.
The Home Buying Process Find out how to apply for a home loan, find a property, make an offer and secure the home of your dreams.	The Stages Of Construction Building your own home can be exciting but it can also be confusing when trying to line up the stages of construction with your progress payments.
Two Borrowers, One Owner Can you have your husband or wife on your mortgage if they aren’t an owner of your home? Find out if the bank will approve two borrowers, one owner.	Unconventional Building Materials Eco-friendly and sustainable homes made of unconventional building materials may be all the rage now but can you actually get a loan to buy or build one?
Using Your Land Equity To Build How much equity do you need to have in your land to qualify for a construction loan? How do lenders assess a land equity construction loan?	What Is A Debt-To-Income Ratio? Some lenders apply a debt-to-income (DTI) or loan to income (LTI) ratio cap to home loan borrowers. Discover how it can affect your chances of approval.
What is A Desktop Valuation? A desktop valuation is an electronic valuation done using property data, comparable sales and listings. It is instant, cheap and used for low-risk loans.	What Is A Green Home Loan? Ever wanted to know what benefits you get from a green home loan? How do you build or design a green home? Get the answers to these questions.
What is a hobby farm? Hobby farms or lifestyle blocks are a great way to escape the rat race. Find out what to look for in a property, in livestock care and for growing crops.	What Is A Mortgage Prisoner? Stuck in a high-interest rate mortgage and unable to refinance? You might be a mortgage prisoner. We have narrowed down some helpful tips.
What Is A Neobank? Digital neobanks are all set to mark their mark in Australia. What makes these banks different from traditional banks? Should you try them?	What Is A Pre-Approval? Wondering what a mortgage pre-approval is? Learn how banks assess your property loan, and offer conditional approval before you buy real estate.
What Is A Subject To Finance Clause? It's a powerful legal protection in the homebuyer's arsenal but what is a subject to finance clause and how does it differ from a cooling off period?	What Is An Assessment Rate? When banks assess your loan application, they apply what is known as an assessment rate or floor rate. This can have a major impact on your borrowing power.
What Is My Loan To Value Ratio (LVR)? What is your Loan To Value Ratio (LVR) and how can you calculate it? Use our calculator to work out what percentage of the purchase price you can borrow.	What Is Open Banking? Open banking in Australia has already begun. Can open banking help you get a better deal on your home loan? Find out what is it and how does it work?
Why Is Getting A Home Loan So Much Harder Now? The home loan application and approval process used to be simple but things have changed since the introduction of responsible lending measures by APRA.	Why Use A Buyers Agency? Should you use a buyers agency? A buyers advocate can potentially save you time and thousands off the purchase price but are they just for investors?
Why You Shouldn't Lie On Your FHOG Application No one wants to miss out on the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG). It can be tempting to lie on your FHOG application to get approved but why is it a bad idea?

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Home Loan Articles

Learn how to get mortgage approval and buy a home

Our popular articles on home equity loans

What is LVR?

What are genuine savings?

How to value a property

Bank policy

How reliable is your pre-approval?

Construction loan tips

The loan application process

The home buying process

After you have been pre-approved

Why use us?

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Get incredible interest rates

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Testimonials for Home loan experts

Want to discuss your home loan needs?
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About Us

Home Loan Articles

Learn how to get mortgage approval and buy a home

Our popular articles on home equity loans

More related topics

After Mortgage Pre-Approval

Bank Lending Criteria

Banking Code of Practice 2019

Best Interests Duty For Mortgage Brokers

Blockchain Mortgage

Building Inspection

Buying Out A Partner On A Mortgage

Cancelling Credit Cards

Choosing A Builder

Christmas Cut Off Dates Across Lenders (2020)

Combining Credit Issues

Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme Mortgage

Conditional vs Unconditional Home Loan Approval

Construction Loan Documents

Construction loan for a half-built house

Construction Loan Tips

Construction Progress Payments

Contract of Sale

Customer-Owned Banking

Deposit Bond

Fast Home Loan Approval

Finalising A Deceased Estate

First Home Owners Grant New South Wales

Free Copy Of Your Credit File

Genuine Savings

Home Loan Application Process

Home Loan Fees & Charges

Home Loan Health Check

Home Loan Process

Home Loans For Bank Employees

House and Land Package Loan

How Does Compulsory Acquisition Work?

How HECS Debt Affects Borrowing Power

How Long Does It Take To Get Home Loan Approval?

How To Challenge The Valuation

How To Choose A Home Loan?

How To Find A Home Loan From Ethical Banks?

How To Prepare For An Interest Rate Rise

How To Profit In A Falling Property Market

How To Value A Property

Is Your Home Loan Pre-Approval Reliable?

Kerbside Valuation

Loan Portability

Low LVR Home Loans

Loyalty Tax

Mortgage Exit Strategy

Mortgage Exposure Limits

Mortgage Payment Deferral

Moving House Checklist

NCCP Act

New vs Old Properties

One Borrower, Two Owners

Online Home Loan

Pest Inspection Checklist

Pre-Settlement Inspection Checklist

Preparing To Apply For A Loan

Private Banking

Protect Yourself When Buying A Home

Real Estate Terms

Reduce Credit Card Limits For A Home Loan

Refinance Your Home Loan

Rent vs Buy: Should I Buy A Home Or Keep Renting?

Retirement Age Home Loan

Rezoning Property

Risky Loans

Save Even More

Saving A Deposit

Selling & Buying A New Home

Settlement Risk

Should You Choose A Non-bank Lender For Your Home Loan?

Should You Pay Off Your Home Loan Or Invest?

Sub-Prime Crisis

Super Or Mortgage?

Taking Over Your Parents’ Mortgage

The Costs Of Selling A Property

The Home Buying Process

Want to discuss your home loan needs?
We’re here to help.