Home loan insights for Melbourne borrowers
Practical, current articles from a former senior credit officer: grants, rates, lender policy and what is actually happening in Melbourne's north. New posts every day.
The auction finance checklist for Victoria
Victorian auctions have no cooling-off and an unconditional contract. Your finance checklist before auction day: approval, valuati…
How credit card limits cut your borrowing power (even if you never use the card)
Lenders count about 3.8% of your credit card limit as a monthly expense, so a $20,000 limit can cost $90,000 of borrowing power. W…
Buying your first investment property in Melbourne's north
How to fund a first investment property in Epping, Wollert or Craigieburn with home equity, what land tax and gearing do to cashfl…
Gifted deposit from parents: what lenders need to see
Using a parental gift as your home loan deposit? What a gift letter must say, how genuine savings rules apply, and source-of-funds…
Refinance cashback offers: are they worth it? The maths, with a break-even table
A $2,000 to $4,000 refinance cashback sounds free, but a slightly higher rate eats it within months. Break-even tables on a $600,0…
Why your home loan was declined, and what to do next: a former credit officer's view
The real reasons lenders decline home loans, seen from the credit officer's desk, and the steps Melbourne borrowers can take to ge…
House and land in Kalkallo and Donnybrook: the finance guide
Financing a house-and-land package in Kalkallo or Donnybrook: land settlement, build stages, the $10,000 FHOG, First Home Guarante…
Lenders mortgage insurance explained with real numbers
What LMI costs at 85%, 90% and 95% LVR on $600,000 and $800,000 purchases, what capitalising it costs over 30 years, and five ways…
Fixed or variable rate in late 2026: a decision framework, not a prediction
Should you fix, stay variable or split in late 2026 with the cash rate at 4.35%? A practical framework for Melbourne borrowers wit…
The first home buyer timeline: 90 days from first call to keys
A week-by-week 90-day plan for Melbourne first home buyers, from pre-approval and grants to offer, finance approval, Section 32 re…
Stamp duty on a $650,000 house in Victoria: first home buyer vs owner-occupier vs investor
Exact Victorian stamp duty at $500k, $600k, $650k, $700k, $750k and $900k for first home buyers, owner-occupiers and investors, wi…
How much can I borrow on a $100k salary? Realistic numbers for 2026
Realistic home loan borrowing power on $80k, $100k, $120k and $150k salaries in Melbourne, single vs couple, with the 3% buffer an…
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