Frequently Asked Questions

For most residential home loans our service and the broker's service are free to you. independent brokers are paid a commission by the lender when your loan settles. Any situation where a fee might apply would be disclosed to you in writing before you commit.

independent brokers of Perth brokers has access to more than 100 lenders, including the Big 4 banks (CBA, Westpac, NAB and ANZ), Bankwest, and specialist non-bank lenders.

Many lenders look for a 20% deposit to avoid LMI (lenders mortgage insurance, the one-off insurance payable when you borrow more than 80% of the value). However, first home buyers may be able to buy with as little as a 5% deposit and no LMI under the federal First Home Guarantee, and the WA Government lender Keystart has offered loans with as little as a 2% deposit. Figures are current as at June 2026, so confirm the latest with a broker.

From 1 October 2025 the First Home Guarantee removed its income caps and place limits, so it is far more widely available. The main condition for Perth buyers is the property price cap, which is $850,000. A broker can confirm whether your situation and the lender you choose fit the scheme. Verify current details before relying on them.

The WA First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a one-off $10,000 payment for eligible buyers building or buying a new home (not an established one), administered by RevenueWA. For transactions from 7 May 2026 the Perth home value cap is $800,000. There is no income or assets test. Confirm current eligibility with RevenueWA.

Western Australia offers a first home owner rate of transfer (stamp) duty. Under changes announced on 7 May 2026 (which are subject to the parliamentary process), no duty is payable up to $600,000 and a concessional rate applies between $600,000 and $800,000. Check the current thresholds with RevenueWA before you buy.

Your borrowing power depends on your income, living expenses, existing debts, deposit and the loan term. Lenders assess your repayments at your actual rate plus a 3% buffer required by APRA (the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, the banking regulator). You can get a rough idea with our borrowing power calculator, then confirm with a broker.

For a straightforward PAYG application, pre-approval often takes around 5 business days. Self-employed or more complex applications can take longer. Timeframes vary by lender.

It depends on whether you value certainty (fixed) or flexibility and features such as offset accounts (variable). Some borrowers split their loan to get a bit of both. Our guide to fixed vs variable rates in Perth walks through the trade-offs.

Common triggers include a fixed rate expiring, rates moving, building equity, or wanting better features or to consolidate debt. There are costs to weigh, and a typical refinance takes around 4 to 8 weeks. Our refinancing guide covers when it does and does not make sense.

Yes. The independent brokers are accredited (MFAA / FBAA) and operate under an Australian Credit Licence. Specific licence and accreditation details are provided to you in writing by your broker before you commit to anything.

To be matched, just your contact details and a short description of what you need. When you meet your broker you will typically provide proof of income (payslips or tax returns), identification, bank statements, and details of existing debts and assets.