Buying your first home?

Start by speaking with a mortgage broker who specialises in first home buyer loans. We assess your borrowing power across 35+ lenders, check which first time home buyer grants and schemes you qualify for, and secure pre-approval so you can search with confidence. Buying your first home in Sydney begins with understanding your finances. Our first home buyers journey guide walks you through every step.

The steps to buy your first house are: determine your budget, build your deposit, secure pre-approval through a mortgage broker, search for the right property, make an offer (via private treaty, auction, or off the plan), get formal loan approval including the bank valuation, and proceed to settlement. How to buy your first house becomes straightforward with the right broker guiding you through each stage.

Pre-approval can be secured within hours to a few days. Once you find a property, settlement typically takes 42 days (6 weeks) for established homes, though this can range from 30 to 90 days depending on the contract. The entire process of buying your first home from first consultation to moving in usually spans 2 to 6 months depending on how quickly you find the right property.

As a first home buyer in NSW, you pay zero stamp duty on properties valued up to $800,000. For properties between $800,000 and $1,000,000, you receive a concessional rate. Above $1,000,000, full stamp duty applies. On a $900,000 property, your stamp duty estimate would be significantly reduced compared to a non-first-home buyer. Our NSW stamp duty guide has full details and thresholds.

You can use the Revenue NSW stamp duty calculator online for an exact stamp duty estimate based on your purchase price. Alternatively, ask us during your free consultation and we calculate your stamp duty as part of your overall cost assessment. For properties under $800,000, your stamp duty estimate as a first home buyer is $0. We factor stamp duty into your total budget so there are no surprises.

Yes, if your property is valued at $800,000 or less. This full stamp duty exemption saves you up to $30,529 on an $800,000 purchase. For properties between $800,000 and $1,000,000, a concessional stamp duty rate applies. For vacant land, the exemption threshold is $350,000 with concessions up to $450,000. You must be a first home buyer, live in the property within 12 months, and stay for at least 12 continuous months.

The main first time home buyer grants and schemes in NSW include: the First Home Owner Grant ($10,000 for new homes up to $600,000 or land plus construction up to $750,000), stamp duty exemption (properties up to $800,000), the 5% Deposit Scheme (no LMI), the Help to Buy Scheme (2% deposit), and the FHSSS (withdraw up to $50,000 from super). Combined first time home buyer grants can save you over $40,000.

The first home buyers scheme (now called the 5% Deposit Scheme) is applied for through a participating lender or mortgage broker. We handle the application as part of your home loan process. You do not need to apply separately. For the FHOG, your application is submitted through your lender at the time of loan settlement. For the FHSSS, you apply through the ATO. We guide you through every first home buyers scheme application at $0 cost.

Yes. You can stack the 5% Deposit Scheme with stamp duty exemptions, the FHOG (for new homes), and the FHSSS. For example, on a $650,000 new home you could receive: $0 stamp duty (saving approximately $24,000), $10,000 FHOG, no LMI through the 5% Deposit Scheme (saving approximately $15,000), and use FHSSS for your deposit. Total combined first time home buyer grants and savings could exceed $49,000. We check every scheme you qualify for.

The 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly the First Home Guarantee) allows you to purchase with just 5% deposit. The government guarantees the remaining 15% to your lender, meaning you avoid paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance entirely. On a $700,000 property, the 5% Deposit Scheme means you need $35,000 deposit instead of $140,000, and you save approximately $15,000 to $25,000 in LMI. Our full guide explains eligibility and how to apply.

The 5% Deposit Scheme property price cap for Sydney is $1,500,000. For regional NSW the cap is $800,000. This was increased from $900,000 in October 2025, making the 5% Deposit Scheme accessible to a much wider range of Sydney properties. The cap applies to the total purchase price. Read about the benefits and risks of using the 5% Deposit Scheme.

No. From October 2025, income limits were completely removed from the 5% Deposit Scheme. Previously the cap was $125,000 for singles and $200,000 for couples. The scheme now also has unlimited places, meaning it is no longer a race to secure a spot. These changes make the 5% Deposit Scheme accessible to significantly more first home buyers in Sydney.

A mortgage broker compares low rate home loan options across 35+ lenders on your behalf. Each lender prices differently based on your deposit size, employment type, and property location. A low rate home loan from one lender may not be the lowest for your specific situation. We present your best options and explain the total cost including fees, not just the headline rate. Our service is $0 because lenders pay our commission.

Home loan mortgage rates vary by lender, loan type, deposit size, and your financial profile. Competitive home loan mortgage rates for first home buyers with strong applications typically sit below the headline rates advertised by banks. A mortgage broker accesses rates from 35+ lenders including special offers and discounts not publicly advertised. The best way to find your specific home loan mortgage rates is to book a free consultation.

Variable rate home loans offer flexibility with extra repayments, offset accounts, and potential savings if rates drop. Fixed rate home loans provide repayment certainty for 1 to 5 years. Many first home buyers choose a split loan, fixing a portion for certainty while keeping the rest variable for flexibility. The best choice depends on your finances and risk tolerance. Our choosing the right finance guide explains the trade-offs.

A bank can only offer its own products. A mortgage broker compares products from 35+ lenders, often finding better home loan mortgage rates, lower fees, or loan structures better suited to first home buyers. Our mortgage broker service costs $0 because lenders pay our commission. A mortgage broker is also legally bound by the Best Interests Duty to recommend the loan that is best for you, not the lender.

A mortgage broker costs first home buyers $0. The lender pays the mortgage broker an upfront commission (typically 0.45% to 0.65% of the loan value) and an ongoing trail commission. On a $600,000 first home loan, the lender pays approximately $2,700 to $3,900, not you. You get expert mortgage broker guidance, lender comparison, and ongoing support at zero additional cost. Meet our team.

A mortgage broker assesses your borrowing power, checks your eligibility for first time home buyer grants and first home buyers scheme benefits, compares low rate home loan options across 35+ lenders, handles all paperwork and lender communication, arranges the bank valuation, coordinates with your solicitor, and guides you through to settlement. A good mortgage broker saves you time, money, and stress when buying your first home.

The Help to Buy Scheme launched 5 December 2025. The Australian Government co-owns up to 30% of an existing property or 40% of a new home, reducing your mortgage and repayments. You need only a 2% deposit. Australian citizens with income below $90,000 (single) or $120,000 (couple). Currently available through CBA and Bank Australia. You must buy back the government share over time.

Yes. The 5% Deposit Scheme eliminates LMI with a government guarantee. A guarantor loan using family property as security also eliminates LMI. Certain professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants) qualify for LMI waivers at up to 90 to 95% LVR. The Help to Buy Scheme requires only 2% deposit with no LMI. Our LMI guide explains all options for buying your first home with a low deposit.

With the 5% Deposit Scheme, you need just 5% with no LMI. The Help to Buy Scheme requires only 2%. A guarantor loan can eliminate the deposit entirely. Without government assistance, most lenders require 10 to 20%. On a $700,000 Sydney property, deposits range from $14,000 (Help to Buy) to $35,000 (5% Deposit Scheme) to $140,000 (20%). Check your genuine savings requirements and use our property deposit calculator.

You can purchase a freestanding house, strata apartment or townhouse, off-the-plan property, or land to build on. Each has different deposit requirements, scheme eligibility, and financing considerations. Our how to buy the right property guide compares all options for buying your first home.

Borrowing capacity depends on your income, existing debts, living expenses, and the lender's assessment criteria. Each lender calculates serviceability differently, which is why using a mortgage broker across 35+ lenders maximises your borrowing power. A low rate home loan with the right features can also improve your borrowing capacity. Use our mortgage repayment calculator to estimate repayments at different loan amounts.

Some clients are pre-approved within hours. Others take a few days for more complex applications. We prepare everything upfront and submit to the right lender from our 35+ panel first time. Pre-approval is essential before buying your first home because it confirms your borrowing power and makes your offers stronger. Our mortgage broker service is free and starts with a no-obligation consultation. Read our pre-approval guide.