At Clarence Valley Finance, we’re here to make your home loan journey simple and stress-free. Below are some of the most common questions we get from clients.
The first step is getting pre-approved, which helps determine how much you can borrow. This gives you a clear idea of your budget before you start house-hunting. Jodie will guide you through the process and help you find the right lender.
A 20% deposit is recommended to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), but there are options available for buyers with lower deposits—especially first-home buyers. We can help you explore low-deposit and government-backed loan options.
Yes! First-home buyers may be eligible for:
✅ First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
✅ Stamp Duty Concessions
✅ First Home Guarantee (FHG) & Other Government Incentives
Jodie will help you navigate the grants available in your state and assist with your application.
If you are building or buying off the plan, your first home in the Sunshine State, then you may be eligible for the grant.
If you are buying or building your first home in the Sunshine State, then you may be eligible for the rebate.
Refinancing can help you:
💰 Secure a lower interest rate and reduce your repayments
🔄 Switch to a loan that better suits your financial needs
🏡 Unlock equity for renovations, investments, or other expenses
💳 Consolidate multiple debts into a single repayment
Jodie will review your current loan and compare options to help you save money.
Yes! Even if your circumstances have changed, there are refinancing options available. We’ll assess your situation and recommend the best approach to secure a better loan.
A construction loan is different from a standard home loan. Instead of receiving the full loan amount upfront, funds are released in stages as your builder completes different phases of construction. Interest is only charged on the amount drawn down, making it a cost-effective option during the build.
Yes! If you have equity in your current home, you may be able to use it as a deposit for an investment property, without needing additional savings. We’ll help you explore the best way to structure your investment loan.
🚗 Car Loan – Secured against the vehicle, leading to lower interest rates.
💳 Personal Loan – Unsecured, offering flexibility for various expenses, including travel, medical bills, or debt consolidation.
We’ll help you choose the right loan based on your needs and budget.
If you’re concerned about your credit history or your credit file, we recommend you get a copy of your credit file before applying for a loan to check and see if there are any ‘marks’ against your name. There can be a number of reasons why this might be the case: from not paying your mobile phone bill on time, missing a credit card or loan repayment or worse. Your credit file can be accessed through mycreditfile.com.au. If you do have a bad credit history, there are some things you can do to fix it, but this is normally determined on a case by case basis.
Yes! There are low-doc and specialist lender options available for self-employed individuals. Jodie will help you find the right lender and guide you through the documentation required.
Mortgage brokers play a crucial role in helping borrowers secure better home loan deals, lower interest rates, and expert advice. Unlike going directly to a bank, a mortgage broker works with multiple lenders to find the most suitable loan for your financial situation.
By comparing loan options across various banks and lenders, brokers help borrowers access more competitive interest rates and lower fees. They provide personalized guidance on borrowing power, loan structures, and application preparation, making the process smoother and increasing the chances of approval. Mortgage brokers also handle paperwork, negotiations, and follow-ups, saving borrowers time and stress.
Without mortgage brokers, competition in the home loan market would decrease, leading to higher interest rates, fewer lender choices, and less guidance for borrowers. With fewer options available, banks would have less incentive to keep rates low, making it harder for borrowers to find the best deal. Mortgage brokers ensure that borrowers have access to a wide range of lenders, better financial solutions, and expert support throughout their home loan journey.
Mortgage brokers are paid by the lender once your loan is settled, meaning there are no out-of-pocket costs for you. Their payment comes directly from the bank or lender that provides your home loan, ensuring that their service remains free for borrowers.
Brokers typically earn in two ways: an upfront commission, which is paid when your home loan is finalized, and a trail commission, which is a small ongoing payment for the duration of your loan. Despite this, a reputable mortgage broker always prioritizes your best interests, ensuring that you secure a loan that is suitable for your financial situation.
At Clarence Valley Finance, we operate with complete transparency and integrity. We will never encourage clients to take on more debt than they can afford, recommend a larger loan simply for a higher commission, or select a lender based on commission rates rather than what is best for you. The majority of our business comes from referrals, which is a testament to the trust our clients place in us.
In some cases, for highly complex loan structures—such as self-managed super funds (SMSFs) or multiple-property transactions—a fee may apply. If this is the case, we will always discuss it upfront before proceeding.
Let’s get started on your journey of securing the right loan for you.
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