Home Loan Frequently Asked Questions
Twenty plain-language answers grouped by intent. Pulled from the questions we hear most often from North Brisbane families and investors.
All North Brisbane home loan FAQs grouped by topic
Cost questions
What does it cost to use a mortgage broker?
Nothing direct to you. The matching service is free, and the broker we connect you with is paid commission by the lender when your loan settles. The broker discloses the commission in writing in your Credit Quote and Credit Proposal Disclosure before you commit to anything.
Process questions
How long does pre-approval take?
Most pre-approvals come back inside 5 business days once we have payslips, ID, and statements. Some lenders return same-day for clean PAYG profiles. We give you a realistic timeline up front.
What documents will I need?
Two recent payslips, three months of personal account statements, ID, current loan or rent details, and an idea of the property type. We provide a checklist tailored to your situation when we kick off.
How long does a home loan take to settle?
Allow 30 to 45 days from accepted contract to settlement on a standard purchase. Refinances usually settle in 4 to 8 weeks depending on the outgoing lender's discharge process.
Do you service all of North Brisbane?
Yes - the entire North Brisbane area from Sandgate to Bridgeman Downs and from Albion to Bracken Ridge. See our service-areas page for the full list.
Will you help me through to settlement?
Yes. We coordinate your conveyancer, the lender, and your real estate agent through to settlement and confirm everything has cleared on the day. We are still here after settlement for any rate review or top-up.
How do I get started?
Submit the form on this page with your name, email, suburb and a few details about your situation. We respond within one business day, send you a checklist tailored to your goal, and book a free 30-minute review at a time that suits.
What if my situation changes after settlement?
We run an annual rate review on every loan and we are available for top-ups, refinances, or restructures any time your situation shifts. Keep our email handy after settlement.
Eligibility questions
How much can I borrow for a home loan in North Brisbane?
Most North Brisbane households we work with qualify for $450,000 to $850,000 on standard owner-occupier terms. Borrowing power depends on net income, ongoing commitments, dependants, and lender policy. We run live serviceability across 30+ lenders so the number you see is real, not a generic calculator estimate.
Do I need a deposit to get a home loan?
Most lenders ask for at least 5% genuine savings plus enough to cover lenders mortgage insurance. Family guarantor structures and the federal First Home Guarantee can reduce or remove the LMI cost for eligible buyers.
Can I get a loan if I am self-employed?
Yes. Self-employed borrowers typically need 1 to 2 years of tax returns, business activity statements, and accountant declarations. We map your profile to the right lender so you do not waste time on policies that do not fit.
Can you help if I have a low credit score?
Yes, with the right lender. We work with prime, near-prime, and specialist lenders, and we are upfront about which option fits and what it will cost.
Product questions
Can you help with refinancing?
Yes. We run a free refinance review, comparing your current rate, fees, and structure against current best fits across the panel. If it does not save enough to justify the switch, we tell you - no churn for the sake of it.
Do you handle investment property loans?
Yes. Investment lending is a core part of our work, including interest-only, offset, and self-managed super fund structures with the appropriate lender panel.
Do you do construction loans?
Yes. Construction loans use progress draws aligned to the builder's invoice schedule. We arrange the lender, the valuer, and the timing alongside your builder's contract.
Can I split between fixed and variable?
Yes. Most lenders allow you to split your loan into a fixed portion and a variable portion. We model the trade-off so the structure matches your cashflow rather than guesswork.
Do you offer guarantor loans?
Yes. Family guarantor structures allow eligible buyers to enter the market with reduced or zero deposit, using a parent's equity as security. We walk both parties through the risk and the unwind plan.
Government questions
What is the Queensland First Home Owner Grant?
The Queensland First Home Owner Grant pays $30,000 toward eligible new builds (off-the-plan apartments and house-and-land packages) valued under $750,000. The $30,000 rate is in place until 30 June 2026 and reverts to $15,000 from 1 July 2026 - confirm current settings via Queensland Revenue Office. The grant does not apply to established homes. Eligible buyers can stack it with the QLD first home concession on transfer duty.
What is the First Home Guarantee?
The federal First Home Guarantee lets eligible first home buyers purchase with a 5% deposit and no lenders mortgage insurance, with the government guaranteeing the gap. Places are capped each year and income-tested. We handle the application alongside your loan.
Compliance questions
Are the brokers ASIC licensed?
Yes. Every broker in our panel operates as a Credit Representative under an ASIC-licensed aggregator and holds current MFAA or FBAA accreditation. The broker's specific Credit Representative number, ACL holder, and MFAA / FBAA membership number are supplied to you in their Credit Quote and Credit Proposal Disclosure before you commit to anything.
Have a different question?
Submit the form on our contact page and we'll respond within one business day. Or open the borrowing power calculator for an instant range.