Home Loans

Finances 4U is a local mortgage broking team in North Brisbane that arranges home loans for first home buyers, people upgrading, refinancers and borrowers with credit challenges. We compare more than 500 loans from over 25 lenders, handle the application from first chat to settlement, and recommend the loan that fits your situation. Because the lender pays us, our service costs most clients nothing.

What you get

• A competitive rate with no hidden fees

• A loan structured your way: offset, redraw, fixed, variable or split

• Tax-effective options where they apply to you

• One finance specialist who owns your loan from start to finish

• Advice that is legally bound to put your interests first, including when staying put is the smarter move

Buying your first home?

Your first home is exciting and a little daunting, and there is more to it than the rate. We walk you through how much deposit you really need, whether lenders mortgage insurance applies and how to reduce or avoid it, and which government help you might qualify for, including the Queensland First Home Owner Grant and the federal First Home Guarantee. If a parent can help, we explain how a guarantor loan works and exactly what it does and does not commit them to. Then we get you pre-approved so you can make offers with confidence.

Buying your next home

Moving up, down or across takes more coordination, because you are often buying and selling at the same time. We help you work out whether to use bridging finance, sell first and rent for a bit, or draw on your existing equity for the deposit. We also review your current loan while we are at it, since the one that suited your first place may not suit your next.

Should you refinance?

Most people are not on the sharpest rate available to them, and plenty are paying for features they never use. We review your current loan against the market and tell you honestly whether switching is worth it once the costs are counted. People refinance to drop their rate, unlock equity for a renovation or an investment, consolidate other debts, or move to a loan with an offset account. If the numbers do not stack up, we will tell you to stay where you are.

Home loans with bad credit

Defaults, arrears or a past bankruptcy do not automatically end the dream of owning a home. We work with specialist non-conforming lenders who look at the full picture rather than a single black mark, and we know what each of them will and will not accept. We will be straight with you about what is realistic now, and if the timing is not right yet, we will give you a clear plan to get loan-ready.

How it works

1. Have a chat. Tell us your plans and your numbers, and we work out what is possible.

2. We compare and recommend. We search 500+ loans and bring you the options that fit, with the reasons why.

3. We handle the application. Paperwork, lender follow-ups and liaison with your conveyancer, all the way to settlement.

4. We stay in touch. We review your loan over time so it keeps working for you.

What you'll need to get started

• Photo ID (driver licence or passport)

• Recent payslips, or your last two years of returns if you are self-employed

• Bank and credit card statements

• A rough idea of the property or price range you are aiming at

Missing something? Do not worry. We will tell you exactly what each lender needs.

FAQ

• How much deposit do I need to buy a home? Most lenders look for around 20% to avoid lenders mortgage insurance, but you can buy with as little as 5%, and some government schemes let eligible first home buyers in with less. We show you the trade-offs for your situation.

• How much can I borrow? It depends on your income, expenses, existing debts and the lender. Rather than guess, we run your numbers across multiple lenders, because borrowing power varies a lot between them.

• Does using a broker cost me anything? In most cases, no. The lender pays us a commission when your loan settles, so our service is generally free to you. If a fee ever applies, we tell you before any work begins.

• How long does home loan approval take? Anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks. Once we have your documents we can usually submit the next day, and we chase the lender daily to keep things moving.

• Can I get a home loan with bad credit? Often, yes. Specialist lenders consider applications the major banks decline. We will tell you honestly what is realistic and, if needed, how to get loan-ready first.