Buying your first home can be difficult when you've got the income to make the repayments, but haven't yet saved a large enough deposit. One option some buyers consider is a guarantor home loan. A guarantor home loan allows an eligible family member—often a parent—to use equity in their own property as additional security for part of your home loan. This can potentially help you buy sooner and, depending on the loan structure, may help you avoid or reduce Lenders Mortgage Ins

If you've owned your home for a few years, there's a good chance you've heard someone say you could "use the equity" in your property. But what does that actually mean? Put simply, home equity is the difference between the value of your property and the amount you still owe on your home loan. Depending on your circumstances, some of that equity may potentially be used to help fund another property purchase, renovations or other major expenses. However, having equity doesn't a

"How much can I borrow?" It's usually one of the first questions people ask when they're thinking about buying a home. But there's something many borrowers don't realise: there isn't one universal borrowing capacity figure that applies across every bank in Australia. One lender may be willing to lend you more than another, even when they're looking at exactly the same income, expenses and debts. So, how is your borrowing capacity actually calculated, and why can it vary so mu

Your mortgage is likely the biggest financial commitment you'll ever make, yet it's surprising how many Australians set up a home loan and don't look at it again for years. While many people only think about their mortgage when the Reserve Bank changes interest rates, there are plenty of other reasons to review your home loan. In fact, regular reviews could help ensure your loan still suits your needs—even if you don't end up refinancing. Why reviewing your home loan matters

If you've been told "no" by a bank, it's easy to think your home ownership journey has come to an end. The good news is that a decline from one lender doesn't automatically mean you can't get a home loan. Every lender has different credit policies, lending criteria and risk appetites, which means your application may be viewed differently elsewhere. In the video below, Gareth from Thrive Financial Group explains why speaking to a mortgage broker can open up options you may no

Many first home buyers assume they need a 20% deposit before purchasing a home. In reality, eligible Queensland buyers may be able to purchase with a much smaller deposit by using government incentives such as the First Home Owner Grant and the First Home Guarantee. In this guide, we'll explain how these schemes work and provide an example of how a buyer could potentially purchase a $750,000 property with approximately $12,000 in savings. How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy a