Identity
Driver licence, passport or birth certificate, residency evidence and address history.
First home buyer loans · Clear steps from savings to settlement
Your first home starts with a clear, comfortable plan.
Buying your first home can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Becky and the SPECK Finance team help you understand your budget, prepare your documents, explore current assistance and navigate the lending process through to the keys.
01
The seven stages of buying your first home
- Prepare: review income, expenses, savings, debts and credit conduct.
- Understand your position: estimate borrowing capacity, cash contribution and purchase costs.
- Explore assistance: check current grants, guarantees and transfer-duty concessions.
- Seek pre-approval: select a suitable lender and obtain a conditional indication before shopping seriously.
- Find a property: research, inspect and obtain legal advice before committing.
- Obtain formal approval: the lender verifies the property, documents and final position.
- Sign and settle: complete loan documents, safely verify payments and receive the keys.
02
Work out your real budget
Your maximum possible loan is not automatically your comfortable loan. We help you consider repayments, lifestyle, future plans and a sensible safety buffer.
- Purchase deposit and any applicable transfer duty
- Conveyancing, building and pest inspection costs
- Lender fees, valuation costs and Lenders Mortgage Insurance where applicable
- Moving, connection and initial repair costs
- Emergency savings left after settlement
Government assistance changes. Eligibility rules, price caps and available schemes can change. We check the current requirements with you rather than relying on old online information.
03
Documents commonly requested
Income
Payslips and salary credits, or tax returns and financials for self-employed applicants.
Financial position
Savings, transaction accounts, liabilities, deposit evidence and living expenses.
Property
Signed contract, conveyancer details, and building documents for construction applications.
FAQ
Questions people often ask
How much deposit does a first home buyer need?
The amount varies with the property, lender, loan-to-value ratio and any government assistance for which you qualify. Your available funds also need to cover purchase costs and a sensible buffer.
Does pre-approval guarantee my home loan?
No. Pre-approval is conditional and remains subject to lender assessment, an acceptable property, your current financial position and any approval conditions.
Should I reduce my credit card limit before applying?
Unused limits can affect borrowing capacity because lenders assess the limit, not only the current balance. We can review whether reducing a limit is appropriate for your application.
Can SPECK Finance help before I am ready to buy?
Yes. Starting early gives you time to build savings, organise documents and address any issues before you need formal approval.
Ready when you are
Let’s talk about your next step.
No pressure and no silly questions — just a clear conversation about your position and what may be possible.