Owner-occupied lending

Finance built around
your home journey.

Whether you're stepping onto the property ladder for the first time, upsizing for a growing family, downsizing to something more manageable, or refinancing to a better structure — we tailor owner-occupied lending around where you are in life.

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What this service covers

First home buyers — deposit strategy, government grants, lender selection and settlement guidance from start to finish.

Upsizing & downsizing — managing the sale of your existing property alongside the purchase of a new one, including bridging finance if needed.

Refinancing — reviewing your current loan structure and moving to a more competitive or suitable arrangement without unnecessary disruption.

Your situation

Three journeys. One specialist.

Every stage of homeownership comes with different priorities, pressures and opportunities. We structure lending to match yours.

Stage 01

First home buyers

Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make. We take the pressure out of the process — explaining every step in plain language, identifying the right loan structure, and making sure you access every entitlement available to you.

We work with you from deposit planning through to settlement day, comparing 30+ lenders to find a structure that fits your income, lifestyle and long-term goals.

What we cover
  • First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) eligibility
  • First Home Guarantee (FHBG) — 5% deposit, no LMI
  • Deposit structuring — savings, gifted funds, KiwiSaver
  • Stamp duty concessions for first home buyers
  • Fixed vs variable — choosing the right rate type
  • Offset accounts and redraw explained simply
  • Pre-approval and auction bidding strategy
Stage 02

Upsizing & downsizing

Moving to a new home while selling your current one introduces a layer of complexity most lenders don't make easy. We structure the transition so you're not forced to sell under pressure or settle for a property that doesn't fit.

Whether you need more space for a growing family or want to simplify after the kids have moved out, we match you to the right loan structure and — where needed — arrange bridging finance to bridge the gap between sale and settlement.

What we cover
  • Simultaneous sale and purchase coordination
  • Bridging finance — buy before you sell
  • Equity release from your existing property
  • Loan portability — take your loan to the new property
  • Serviceability assessment across both properties
  • Managing settlement timing and contract conditions
  • Guarantor options for upsizing with limited deposit growth
Stage 03

Refinancing your existing loan

Your circumstances change. Your loan should keep up. Many Australians are paying more than they need to because they haven't reviewed their mortgage structure in years.

We compare your current arrangement against the full market — rate, features, flexibility — and recommend a move only when the numbers clearly work in your favour. No unnecessary switching, no pressure.

What we cover
  • Rate and fee comparison across 30+ lenders
  • Break cost analysis for fixed-rate loans
  • Cash-out refinancing — accessing built equity
  • Debt consolidation into your home loan
  • Removing or adding an offset account
  • Switching from P&I to interest-only (or vice versa)
  • Annual loan health checks — not just at settlement
Our process

How we work with you

A clear, four-step process from first conversation to settlement — and ongoing support beyond that.

I

Free consultation

We start by understanding your situation, goals and timeline. No jargon, no pressure — just a straightforward conversation about where you are and where you want to be.

II

Lender comparison

We search across 30+ lenders to identify the most suitable structures for your circumstances — comparing rates, features, fees and flexibility in detail.

III

Application & approval

We manage the entire application — liaising with the lender, responding to requests and keeping you informed at every stage through to formal approval.

IV

Settlement & beyond

We attend to the details through settlement and check in regularly after — rate reviews, structure changes, or preparing for your next property move.

Why FinanceOnly

What you can expect from us

We're mortgage specialists — not generalists, not bank employees. Every recommendation we make is based on what fits your situation, not what's easiest for us to arrange.

  • MFAA accredited broker — bound by professional standards
  • Australian Credit Licence holder since 2007
  • 30+ lenders — not tied to a single bank's products
  • Tailored loan structure, not off-the-shelf products
  • Obligation-free initial consultation
  • Plain-English video guides on mortgage concepts

Structure over rate

A lower rate on the wrong loan structure often costs more over the life of the loan. We build the right foundation first — then optimise the rate within it.

One broker, every stage

From your first home through to downsizing decades later, we remain your lending specialist — one relationship, consistent advice, no handoffs.

No unnecessary switching

We only recommend refinancing when the numbers genuinely stack up in your favour. We run the full cost-benefit — break costs, new fees and long-term savings — before advising any move.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How much deposit do I need as a first home buyer?
Most lenders require a minimum 5% genuine savings deposit, though 10–20% avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). Under the First Home Guarantee, eligible buyers can purchase with as little as 5% deposit without paying LMI — the government guarantees the remaining portion. We'll assess your specific situation and eligibility during your consultation.
Can I buy a new home before I sell my current one?
Yes — this is where bridging finance comes in. A bridging loan lets you purchase your new property using the equity in your current home, with the bridging debt repaid once your existing property settles. We assess whether bridging is appropriate for your situation by looking at your peak debt exposure, likely sale timeline and serviceability during the bridging period.
When does it make sense to refinance?
Refinancing makes sense when the interest saving over the new loan term clearly outweighs the cost of switching — including break costs on fixed loans, discharge fees, new establishment fees and any LMI implications. A rule of thumb is that a saving of 0.5% or more on a large loan balance often justifies the move, but every situation is different. We run the full analysis before making any recommendation.
What's the difference between a fixed and variable rate?
A fixed rate locks your repayment for a set period (typically 1–5 years), giving certainty but limiting flexibility — extra repayments are capped and refinancing before the fixed term ends incurs break costs. A variable rate moves with market conditions, allowing unlimited extra repayments and full access to an offset account. Many clients split their loan — part fixed, part variable — to balance certainty and flexibility. We'll recommend what suits your circumstances.
What is an offset account and do I need one?
An offset account is a transaction account linked to your home loan — the balance in the account is subtracted from your loan balance before interest is calculated. If you have a $500,000 loan and $50,000 in your offset, you only pay interest on $450,000. Offset accounts are most effective when you maintain a meaningful balance consistently over time. Whether one is right for you depends on your savings habits and loan structure — we'll explain the trade-offs clearly.
Do you charge a fee for your service?
Your initial consultation is obligation-free. As a licensed mortgage broker, we are remunerated by the lender upon settlement — this does not affect the rate or terms you receive, and we are required under the MFAA Code of Practice to act in your best interests at all times. We disclose all commissions transparently as part of our credit proposal documentation.

Ready to talk about your home loan?

Confidential consultation. Obligation-free.

Book a free consultation