Home Loans Brisbane | Buy Your Next Home

We help first-home buyers, existing owners moving to their next home, families needing more space, downsizers, relocating buyers and people returning to owner-occupation after renting or investing. The property can be an established home, apartment, townhouse or a new build, although lender requirements may differ by property type and contract.

Existing owners may need to decide whether to sell first, buy first, retain the current property as an investment or use available equity toward the next purchase. First-home buyers may instead need help establishing a realistic price range, understanding purchase costs and checking whether a government program applies.

A personalised assessment is also useful when income includes overtime, commission or bonuses, one applicant is self-employed, part of the funds is gifted, a guarantor is involved, or there are existing HECS, personal loan or credit card commitments. Lenders can assess the same circumstances differently, so the lowest advertised rate is not automatically the most suitable option.

A 20% contribution is a common planning benchmark because it generally produces an 80% loan-to-value ratio and may avoid lenders mortgage insurance. It is not a universal minimum. A smaller contribution may be possible under some lender policies or eligible first-home buyer pathways, while a larger contribution may be required for certain properties, locations or applicant circumstances.

If you already own a property, usable equity may form part of the funding plan. The amount available depends on the current valuation, existing loan balance, acceptable loan-to-value ratio and your ability to service the additional debt. Equity on paper is not the same as an approved equity release, so it should be assessed before committing to a purchase.

Consider the total funding position rather than the deposit percentage alone. You may also need funds for transfer duty, registration, conveyancing, inspections, loan costs, moving expenses and a settlement buffer. Use our house deposit savings calculator to build a practical target.

A home buyer budget should allow for more than the contract deposit. Transfer duty, title registration, conveyancing, building and pest inspections, lender or valuation charges, insurance, moving expenses and adjustments at settlement can all affect the cash required. Existing owners should also consider selling-agent fees, marketing, discharge costs and the possibility that two settlements will not occur on the same day.

Eligible first-home buyers may have access to Queensland grants or duty concessions and federal home guarantee programs. Eligibility depends on matters such as the property, purchase price, residency, previous ownership and intended occupancy, and the rules may change. These benefits should be confirmed before they are included in the purchase budget.

A concession or grant does not mean the home loan is automatically approved. The lender still assesses serviceability, credit history, funds to complete and the selected property. Our stamp duty and property fees calculator can provide an initial estimate of government charges, but your conveyancer should confirm the final amount.

Lenders usually review verified income, employment stability, living expenses, existing debts, credit card limits, dependants, credit history and the source of the purchase funds. They apply a serviceability buffer above the actual loan rate to test whether repayments may remain manageable if rates rise. The treatment of probation, casual income, overtime, commissions, rental income and self-employed income varies between lenders.

The property also matters. An apartment with a small floor area, a property in a postcode with lending restrictions, an unusual title or a contract subject to construction may be assessed differently from a standard established house. Pre-approval can clarify an indicative borrowing position, but the lender must still accept the selected property before unconditional approval.

For an owner who is buying and selling, the lender may assess both the current and proposed debts until the existing sale becomes unconditional. Expected sale proceeds, the current mortgage payout and settlement dates need to be supported rather than assumed. This can materially change the approved price range.

The loan structure should reflect how you expect to use your cash, how stable you want repayments to be and whether the property may later become an investment. Variable and fixed rates, offset accounts, redraw, split loans, repayment frequency and loan term can affect flexibility as well as total interest and fees.

An offset account may be useful for buyers who retain a cash buffer, while a basic product with fewer features may suit someone who prioritises lower ongoing fees. Fixing all or part of a loan can provide repayment certainty for a period, but restrictions on additional repayments and break costs should be understood before choosing it.

The longest available term may reduce the required monthly repayment but can increase total interest if the debt remains outstanding for longer. Compare the repayment under different rates and terms with our mortgage repayment calculator and allow room for ownership costs as well as the loan.

Selling before buying can clarify the available funds and reduce the risk of carrying two properties, but it may require temporary accommodation or a longer settlement. Buying first can provide more certainty about the next home, but the finance assessment may need to allow for both debts until the existing property is sold.

Depending on the circumstances, buyers may consider subject-to-sale terms, aligned settlements, a deposit bond, equity release or bridging finance. Each option has eligibility requirements, costs and timing risks. Bridging finance in particular should be tested against a realistic sale price and an acceptable period for selling the existing property.

If the current home will be retained as an investment, the loan purposes and account structure should be reviewed before funds are moved or redrawn. Tax outcomes depend on the use of borrowed funds, so obtain independent tax advice rather than relying only on the property offered as security.

The process begins with a review of your goals, income, commitments, available funds and any existing property. Suitable lenders and loan structures can then be compared before pre-approval or a formal application is prepared. If you are also selling, the expected sale proceeds, mortgage payout and both settlement timelines should be included in the plan.

After a property is selected, the lender may arrange a valuation and request the signed contract or additional documents. Conditional or pre-approval is not the same as unconditional approval. Before making an offer, understand the finance condition, approval deadline and cash required at settlement, and ask a conveyancer to review the contract.

Keep your broker and conveyancer informed if the contract, settlement date, income, employment, debts, purchase funds or sale position changes. Once approved, review the loan documents, complete any remaining conditions and confirm insurance, direct debit and offset arrangements before settlement.