The below content below is not advice from Grant Stephens or any adviser or staff members of Personalised Mortgages. This content is provided by a qualified accountant from an external accounting firm (Bring On Monday) which has no common ownership with Personalised Mortgages Limited. The purpose of this article is information sharing only and does...Read More

As your mortgage adviser, I consider myself as your first line of defence when it comes to getting things set up correctly. I’ve worked with hundreds of clients of whom each have different needs and so I can help get you get started and guide you through the entire home buying process.   However, I’m...Read More

Building your own home is an ideal that many of us share. Finding that perfect block of land to build your dream house on and settle down in is an incredibly exciting experience. Keep reading to see how you can make this dream a reality by borrowing against bare land.   For the most part,...Read More

You may have heard the term “Usable Equity” before and wondered what it means. Let’s dive in… In simple terms, it is the amount much equity you have available to be “used” – easy right? But how do I calculate this? And what can I use it for?   To calculate usable equity, we need...Read More

Fancy a taste of the city life? Apartment living can be a great experience for anyone who loves the hustle and bustle of city living, or just likes the idea of only having a small space to maintain. When it comes to buying an apartment though, there are a few potential obstacles to look out...Read More

Calling Bank of Mum & Dad!   One of the most common sources of equity/deposit when it comes to buying a home is in fact your parents (or anyone who is willing to help you out).   If you’re fortunate enough to have parents who are willing and able to provide you with extra cash...Read More

As mortgage advisers, we often get asked “Can you get a mortgage while on parental leave?”   The answer can be YES but there are certain criteria you must meet and, as is often the case, it can depend on which bank you are working with.   If you are able to confirm that you...Read More

When it comes to fixing your interest rate for either a new or existing home loan, you don’t have to wait until the draw down/settlement date or the rollover date – you are able to do this in advance. This is commonly known as “rate-locking”. This can be a great option to lock in your...Read More

20% is the magic number for banks when it comes to how much deposit or equity goes into the purchase of an existing owner-occupied property. You can still buy a property to live in with less than 20% deposit, but things do get a bit trickier. When your deposit is less than 20% of the...Read More

I’m often asked “can my parents help me to get a home loan?” The good news is that the banks generally have this option available. But it depends on how exactly you are intending for them to assist you and whether you meet their lending criteria. Your parents (or other family in some cases) can...Read More