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Home loan basics

The mechanics of an Australian home loan, explained once, properly — so the rest of the process makes sense.

How credit card limits cut your borrowing power (even if you never use the card)
· Loan basics

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…

Why your home loan was declined, and what to do next: a former credit officer's view
· Loan basics

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…

Lenders mortgage insurance explained with real numbers
· Loan basics

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…

How much can I borrow on a $100k salary? Realistic numbers for 2026
· Loan basics

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…

The two years of tax returns myth: how self-employed borrowers actually get home loans
· Loan basics

The two years of tax returns myth: how self-employed borrowers actually get home loans

You do not always need two years of tax returns for a self-employed home loan. One-year returns, add-backs, low doc options and ho…

What does a mortgage broker actually do?
· Loan basics

What does a mortgage broker actually do?

A mortgage broker assesses your finances, compares loans across many lenders, lodges your application and manages it to settlement…

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