Are you considering the purchase of your first home or investment property? It’s an exhilarating endeavour, and nothing quite matches the joy of holding the keys to your very own property.
If you’re new to the world of property buying, it’s essential to understand how the home loan application process functions.
Assess Your Borrowing Capacity
When it comes to buying a home or investment property, the initial step is gaining a clear understanding of your borrowing capacity and budget. What is the maximum amount you can afford to invest in a property, and what repayment amount fits comfortably within your financial means? Budgeting is crucial, as it guides your property search and helps prevent overspending. Feel free to reach out to us for an initial assessment of your borrowing capacity.
Selecting a Lender
The next phase involves exploring the available loan options and familiarising yourself with various lenders. The most straightforward way to navigate this is by allowing us to conduct a market comparison on your behalf. We will take the time to understand your financial circumstances and objectives, enabling us to recommend a suitable home loan.
Secure Pre-Approval
After deciding on a lender, we will initiate the pre-approval process for your finance. Pre-approval is when a lender, in principle, commits to providing you with a specific loan amount. It is also commonly referred to as ‘approval in principle’ or ‘conditional approval.’ While full approval remains necessary later on, obtaining pre-approval empowers you to confidently bid or make offers on properties.
Compile Essential Documentation
Supporting your pre-approval application requires providing various documents. While specific requirements can vary between lenders, the typical documents requested include proof of identity, proof of income and employment, credit score, deposit and savings history, expenses, and details of assets and liabilities. We can guide you through this paperwork to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Evaluate the Pre-Approval Offer
If the lender deems you a suitable candidate for a loan, they will furnish you with a pre-approval letter. Keep in mind that pre-approvals do not guarantee final loan approval, as you must still meet the conditions set by the lender. Pre-approvals are generally free of charge, and they don’t obligate you to commit to a full home loan from that lender. Typically, pre-approvals are valid for three months.
Property Search and Offer Submission
Following pre-approval, the exciting phase of house hunting begins. Once you discover the right property, it’s time to submit an offer. At this stage, you can decide whether to stick with the lender that granted your pre-approval or explore other home loan options.
Complete the Full Mortgage Application
The final step is to finalise the comprehensive home loan application for unconditional approval. If you choose to work with the same lender that granted your pre-approval, much of the documentation may already be in place. We will guide you through any additional requirements. As part of your application, the lender may commission an independent property valuation to assess the associated risks.
If all proceeds smoothly and your mortgage application receives approval, the lender will issue an unconditional loan approval letter. It is advisable to have your solicitor or conveyancer review the documents to ensure they are in order before signing the loan agreement.
Property Settlement
Finally, the property settlement phase arrives. At this point, the lender will validate the correctness of your documents and proceed with disbursing the home loan. Your legal and financial representatives will meet with the seller’s representatives to exchange documents and complete the title transfer. Typically, stamp duty is settled at the same time as the property settlement. Then, the property becomes wholly yours.
Are you ready to begin this exciting journey? For first-time buyers, the home loan application process may seem daunting, but that’s where we come in. Mortgage brokers can alleviate the stress associated with applying for a home loan. We possess access to an extensive network of lenders and a deep understanding of which home loans align with your specific financial situation and aspirations. Let’s have a conversation about your property acquisition plans. Reach out to us today.
