Work out your real budget
Borrowing capacity is one part of the picture. We also consider the deposit, upfront costs, ongoing repayments and a sensible buffer.
FIRST HOME BUYER LOANS
Understand what you may be able to borrow, what the purchase could cost and what lenders will need before you start making offers.
Talk through your first home loanBEFORE YOU START LOOKING
A useful first-home plan brings your deposit, borrowing capacity, purchase costs and likely repayments together before the property search gets serious.
Borrowing capacity is one part of the picture. We also consider the deposit, upfront costs, ongoing repayments and a sensible buffer.
First-home guarantees, grants and concessions may reduce some upfront costs for eligible buyers. Current rules need to be checked for your situation and location.
Income, expenses, debts, credit history, employment and the source of your deposit can all affect how a lender assesses the application.
A COMPLETE FIRST-HOME PLAN
A lender may approve an amount that is higher than the purchase price you would feel comfortable carrying. We separate borrowing capacity from the budget that works in everyday life.
We also account for costs outside the deposit, including conveyancing, inspections, government charges and lender costs that may apply.
With the numbers clearer, you can approach pre-approval and the property search with a more realistic range and fewer surprises.


Allow for more than the deposit. Purchase costs can include conveyancing, inspections, government charges, loan costs and Lenders Mortgage Insurance where applicable.
Pre-approval can help establish a buying range, but it remains conditional. The property, valuation and your circumstances still need to meet the lender's requirements.
The loan needs to fit after the excitement of buying has passed. We consider the proposed repayment alongside normal living costs and room for future changes.
Raise Wealth Pty Ltd trading as The Digital Brokerage is a Credit Representative (553369) operating under Australian Credit Licence 389328.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Clear answers to the questions clients often ask before applying.
Deposit requirements vary by lender and loan structure. A smaller deposit may be possible, but it can affect lender choice, costs and whether Lenders Mortgage Insurance applies.
Borrowing capacity is what a lender may be prepared to lend under its policy. Affordability is what fits comfortably within your own budget after normal living costs and other commitments.
Pre-approval can help establish a realistic buying range, but it is conditional. The property, valuation and your circumstances still need to satisfy the lender before final approval.
Eligible buyers may qualify for government support, depending on current rules, location, property value and personal circumstances. Eligibility should be checked before relying on a scheme.
Common costs can include conveyancing, inspections, government charges, lender fees and Lenders Mortgage Insurance where applicable. The exact amount depends on the property and loan.
We can help you choose
Tell us what you’re planning. We can explain your options, compare relevant lenders and help you work out your next step.
Start with discovering your borrowing capacity by using our free calculator, then we can help you compare suitable lenders, organise the application online and manage the steps through approval and settlement.
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Estimate what you may be able to borrow and talk through your income, expenses, deposit and lending goals with a mortgage broker.

We compare suitable loan options, then help you provide the information and documents needed to submit your application online.
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We coordinate lender questions, requirements and key milestones, helping keep the application moving from approval through to settlement.
Loan features
Offset accounts, redraw, repayment options and rate structures can change how your loan works. Explore the key features and understand what they mean for you.
Explore all loan features →Keep savings accessible while reducing the balance used to calculate home loan interest.
Explore feature →02Understand how extra repayments can reduce interest while keeping funds available for later.
Explore feature →03Compare repayment certainty, flexibility and the trade-offs of fixing your rate.
Explore feature →04See how paying more than the minimum can reduce your loan balance and total interest.
Explore feature →05Learn how combining fixed and variable portions can balance certainty with flexibility.
Explore feature →