In Australia, most lenders prefer a 20% deposit to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). However, many borrowers start with as little as 5%. I can help you weigh up the cost of LMI versus the benefit of entering the property market sooner.

Lenders look at your income, existing debts, and living expenses using a 'serviceability floor' rate. This ensures you can still afford repayments if interest rates rise. I can provide a more accurate figure based on your specific situation.

Fixed rates offer certainty with set repayments, while variable rates provide more flexibility and features like offset accounts. Many Australians choose to 'split' their loan to get the best of both worlds.

Depending on your state, you might be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant or stamp duty concessions. There are also federal schemes like the Home Guarantee Scheme that allow you to buy with a smaller deposit without paying LMI.

An offset account is a savings account linked to your home loan. The balance in this account 'offsets' your loan principal, meaning you only pay interest on the difference, potentially saving you thousands over the life of the loan.

Stamp duty is a state government tax on property purchases. The amount varies significantly between states and property values. I can use a local calculator to give you a precise estimate for your target suburb.

Transfer duty estimator - Queensland Revenue Office