Mortgage brokers act as an intermediary between you and lenders, helping you find the best home loan while considering your financial situation and goals. They can often secure better deals than if you approached a bank directly.

You may be thinking about buying property? Perhaps you are feeling the pressures of recent rises in interest rates on your current home and know you should do something about? Maybe you have never owned property, but want to know more about where or how to start? Maybe you are a seasoned investor, and already planning your next move?

Speaking with a broker is a great starting point to bounce ideas, ask questions and take a positive step towards taking action - no matter what stage of the journey you are at.

You may not yet feel like you are ready - and if this is the case you are not alone. A broker can help you gain clarity, build confidence (especially when there are unknowns) and/or simply kick start the process with you.

Mortgage brokers are paid by the lender, meaning there is no direct cost to you in using a mortgage broker’s service. The broker is paid an initial commission based on the amount of the loan and also an ongoing ‘trail’ commission, paid monthly. All commissions are disclosed to the client prior to any loan application being made and the law requires complete transparency in relation to broker commissions.

The credit industry is heavily regulated by ASIC, and brokers must follow specific rules in order to remain licensed. We are subject to strict compliance on the recommendations we make. All brokers have a duty of care and must act in the best interests of their clients.

By law, advice provided by a broker cannot be influenced by the amount of commission a broker might be paid from one lender to another.

This will vary from property to property, however, the time between having your offer accepted and exchanging contracts, through to settlement and you gaining access to the property can be on average 4-6 weeks. It can take longer, depending on the terms negotiated with the seller, and this does not take into account the time taken prior to making an offer, which includes finding a property and obtaining a pre-approval. If you are considering making an offer and reducing the settlement period as part of the negotiation, it is important to speak with your broker, who will provide guidance on what is possible from a financing point of view.