First home loans
Buying your first place? We make the scary bits simple and chase every grant and low-deposit option you qualify for.
Buying your first home is a big deal, and the jargon does not help. Andrew sits down with you, works out what you can comfortably borrow, and walks you through every step so nothing comes as a surprise.
We help you understand first home buyer grants and concessions, how much deposit you really need, and whether Lenders Mortgage Insurance applies to you (and how to avoid or reduce it where possible). Queensland has its own first home buyer concessions on transfer (stamp) duty, and you may be eligible for government schemes that reduce the deposit needed, so it pays to check what you actually qualify for before you start looking.
A typical first home journey looks like this: a relaxed chat about your goals and budget, a borrowing-capacity assessment, pre-approval so you can bid or make offers with confidence, then full approval once you find the place. To get started Andrew will usually look at your income (payslips or, if you are self-employed, your returns), your savings and deposit, any existing debts like a car loan or HECS, and your living expenses. Knowing these early means fewer surprises later.
Andrew is Brisbane-based and works with first home buyers right across Brisbane and South-East Queensland. Because he compares more than 60 lenders, he can match you to the ones most comfortable with first home buyers and low deposits, rather than whichever bank you happened to walk into.
How Andrew helps
- Work out your real borrowing power before you fall in love with a place
- Find low-deposit and first home buyer friendly lenders from a panel of 60+
- Explain grants, stamp duty concessions and LMI in plain English
- Handle the paperwork and lender back-and-forth so you do not have to
Borrowing power
A quick guide to what you might borrow
+ more detail
Indicative guide only, using a buffered assessment rate. Not an approval, quote or credit advice. Your real capacity depends on the lender.
Common questions
If yours isn’t here, just ask Andrew below.
Does using a mortgage broker cost me anything?
In most cases, no. Brisbane City Home Loans is paid a commission by the lender you choose once your loan settles, so our service is generally free to you. If a fee ever does apply to your situation, we tell you in writing before you proceed, so there are never surprises.
How much can I actually borrow?
Your borrowing power depends on your income, existing debts, living expenses, deposit and the lender. Two lenders can assess the same person quite differently. The fastest way to get a real number is to use the borrowing power calculator on this site for a guide, then have Andrew confirm it properly against the lenders most likely to say yes.
How big a deposit do I really need?
Many lenders look for around 20% to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance, but plenty of loans are written with smaller deposits, sometimes as low as 5%, and some buyers qualify for government schemes that reduce the deposit needed. The right answer depends on your situation, which is exactly the kind of thing worth a quick chat about.
What is LMI and will I have to pay it?
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is a one-off cost some lenders charge when you borrow more than around 80% of a property's value. It protects the lender, not you. Whether it applies, and whether it can be avoided or reduced, depends on your deposit, your profession and the lender. Andrew can tell you quickly where you stand.
What is the difference between pre-approval and approval?
Pre-approval is a lender's indication of how much they are likely to lend you, which lets you shop and bid with confidence. Full approval comes once you have a specific property and the lender has assessed everything. Pre-approval is a smart first step and it is free to organise through a broker.
Brisbane locals, sorted
Prompt, communicative and professional, Andrew is exceptional at what he does! He's helped several people in my family/circle with their home loans and I've heard nothing but positive feedback. Would highly recommend!
Andrew has helped us on two occasions and is always super helpful, professional, and great at his job. We have recommended him to all our friends and they say the same thing. He is always available and able to work with you to get a successful lending outcome. Could not recommend Andrew more!
Andrew was amazing. He worked with us to refinance our home loan. Answered my never ending questions, responded to emails and messages promptly and explained every step along the way. We will be using Andrew from now on.
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No such thing as a dumb question
Not ready to "apply" for anything? Perfect. Ask Andrew whatever is on your mind, with zero obligation.
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