Buying your first home feels huge because no one hands you the map. Here's the whole journey laid out in plain steps, so you always know what's next.
The hardest part of buying your first home is often just not knowing the order things happen in. Here's the path, start to finish.
1. Get clear on your borrowing power
Before you fall in love with a listing, know your realistic budget. Our Borrowing Power calculator gives you a starting range; a broker refines it against real lender policies.
2. Get pre-approval
Pre-approval tells you (and sellers) how much a lender is willing to lend, subject to conditions. It lets you bid or offer with confidence and move quickly when the right place appears.
3. Find your place and make an offer
With pre-approval in hand, you can negotiate or bid knowing your limits. Factor in the full buying costs — deposit, stamp duty, fees — not just the price tag.
4. Formal approval and the loan
Once your offer is accepted, the lender values the property and issues formal (unconditional) approval. I prepare and lodge everything and manage the back-and-forth so you don't have to.
5. Settlement — and the keys
On settlement day, funds change hands and the property becomes yours. From there, I stay in your corner for reviews as your situation changes.
Every rung of that ladder is easier with someone who's climbed it many times beside you. When you're ready to start, so am I.
