Practical residential lending information

Home loan and finance guides

Clear, useful information for borrowers preparing for residential lending, commercial property finance or a business loan conversation.

Residential lending

Home loan guides and checklists

Understand common documents, decisions and process steps without assuming that one lending pathway is right for everyone.

01

Home loan application checklist

Organise identification, income evidence, statements, property information and other common application documents.

View the home loan checklist
02

First home buyer guide

Understand deposits, purchasing costs, pre-approval, contracts, documents and the usual home loan application journey.

Read the first home buyer guide
03

Refinancing guide

Review the existing loan, likely costs, available equity, documents and the broader outcome before changing lenders or loan structure.

Read the refinancing guide
04

Investment property loan guide

Prepare for an investment lending discussion by considering purpose, borrowing position, cash flow, property information and future plans.

Read the investment property loan guide
05

Home loan pre-approval guide

Learn what pre-approval can indicate, what it does not guarantee and which changes may affect an assessment before purchase.

Read the pre-approval guide
06

Borrowing capacity guide

Understand how income, expenses, liabilities, dependants, loan settings and lender policies can shape borrowing capacity.

Explore borrowing capacity factors
07

Offset account and redraw guide

Compare how offset accounts and redraw facilities generally work, including access, fees and record-keeping considerations.

Compare offset and redraw
08

Lenders mortgage insurance guide

Understand who lenders mortgage insurance protects, why it may apply and which costs and alternatives need careful review.

Understand lenders mortgage insurance
09

Construction loan guide

Learn how construction lending, progress payments, valuations and builder documentation generally work.

Read the construction loan guide
10

Guarantor home loan guide

Understand guarantees, security, lender assessment and the responsibilities for borrowers and guarantors.

Read the guarantor loan guide
11

Self-employed home loan guide

Prepare for the different income, structure and documentation questions lenders may ask self-employed borrowers.

Read the self-employed guide
12

Home loan deposit guide

Compare deposits, genuine savings, purchase costs, LMI, guarantees and funds required to complete.

Read the deposit guide
13

Using equity to buy property

Understand usable equity, valuations, LVR, serviceability and the risks of increasing property debt.

Read the equity guide
14

Fixed vs variable home loans

Compare repayment certainty, flexibility, split loans, offsets, redraw and fixed-rate break costs.

Compare loan structures

Use the guides with context

Information is a starting point

Document requirements and suitable lending structures vary between borrowers and applications. For an overview of residential services, visit Home loans, refinancing and investment loan support.

These guides provide general information only. The right lending option depends on individual circumstances and may require appropriate financial, legal or tax advice.

A clear next step

Ready to take the next step?

Start with a few simple questions about your home loan goal, then discuss the next suitable step with Gifted Loans.

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Book a consultation to discuss your lending goal and the information that may be relevant to your enquiry.