FAQs
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A mortgage broker works on your behalf to find the most suitable home loan from a range of lenders — not just one bank. At Radian Home Loans, we compare dozens of options, negotiate with lenders, and manage your loan application from start to finish — saving you time, stress, and often, money.
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When you walk into a bank, you’re limited to the products that their institution offers. That means the advice you receive is naturally tied to their business goals — not necessarily what’s best for you.
As mortgage brokers, we work for you, not the bank. We have access to a wide panel of lenders — from the big four banks to smaller specialist lenders — giving us the ability to compare hundreds of loan options. This means we can tailor recommendations to suit your unique situation, whether you’re buying your first home, refinancing, or building an investment portfolio.
On top of that, we take the time to understand your goals, explain your options clearly, and guide you through the process from start to finish. We also know the lending policies inside out, so if one bank says no, we can often find another lender who will say yes.
In short, where banks offer one set of products, we offer choice, flexibility, and personalised advice — with your best interests at the centre of everything we do.
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Our service is generally free for you, as we’re paid a commission by the lender once your loan settles. We’ll always be upfront if there are any costs involved and will disclose everything clearly.
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We specialise in residential home loans, investment property loans, refinancing, debt consolidation, equity release strategies, and construction loans. Our focus is on helping all clients — from first-time buyers to seasoned investors — achieve their property goals. Whether you’re purchasing your first home, refinancing, consolidating debt, or building an investment portfolio, we provide tailored solutions to support every stage of life.
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Yes — we can show you how to access the equity in your current property and use it to purchase an investment property, without needing a cash deposit.
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Absolutely. We regularly help self-employed clients find competitive loans. We know how to navigate the documentation and lender requirements unique to self-employment.
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This depends on your income, expenses, assets, liabilities, and credit history. We can do a detailed borrowing capacity assessment for you based on your current financial position and goals.
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A fixed rate loan locks in your interest rate for a set period (usually 1–5 years). This means your repayments stay the same, giving you certainty and making it easier to budget. The trade-off is less flexibility — most lenders restrict extra repayments or charge break fees if you want to switch or pay off the loan early.
A variable rate loan moves in line with the market, so your repayments can increase or decrease over time. The benefit is greater flexibility: you can usually make unlimited extra repayments, access redraw facilities, and take advantage of offset accounts to reduce interest. The downside is that your repayments aren’t guaranteed to stay the same, which can make budgeting less predictable.
Many borrowers also choose a split loan, combining part fixed and part variable, to get the best of both worlds — repayment certainty on one side and flexibility on the other.
We’ll work with you to weigh up the pros and cons of each option, based on your goals, risk comfort, and future plans.
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From initial consultation to loan settlement, the process typically takes 4–6 weeks — sometimes faster. We'll guide you through each stage and keep things moving smoothly.
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Yes — we regularly help clients refinance to access better rates, reduce repayments, or tap into equity. We'll compare your current loan against other market options and handle the switch if it makes sense for you.
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Having a smaller deposit doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get a home loan. Depending on your situation, you may still be eligible to borrow with as little as 5–10% deposit. We’ll carefully assess your options and guide you through the different pathways available.
In some cases, Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) may apply, which protects the lender when you borrow with a lower deposit. While this adds an extra cost, it can also make it possible to get into the market sooner.
You may also be eligible for government schemes and grants designed to help first home buyers, such as the First Home Guarantee (which allows you to buy with just 5% deposit and no LMI) or the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG). These programs can save you thousands and fast-track your property journey.
We’ll walk you through what you qualify for, and you can find more detailed information on the government initiatives and how they work in our Property Insights Blog.
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Typically, you’ll need ID, proof of income (like payslips or tax returns), details of your assets and liabilities, and your living expenses. We’ll give you a clear checklist upfront.
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Yes — we have access to lenders who consider applications from clients with past defaults or credit history issues. We'll assess your situation confidentially and honestly.
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Choosing the right lender isn’t just about finding the lowest interest rate — it’s about making sure the loan works for you both now and into the future.
We start by getting to know your financial goals, current circumstances, and personal preferences. From there, we compare a wide panel of lenders and shortlist the most suitable options based on factors such as:
Interest rates and fees – to ensure the loan is competitive and cost-effective.
Product features – like offset accounts, redraw facilities, repayment flexibility, or construction loan options if you’re building.
Lender policies and criteria – because each lender has different rules around income, credit history, employment, and borrowing capacity.
Your future plans – whether you’re looking to buy your first home, upgrade, refinance, or build an investment portfolio.
We then explain the pros and cons of each option in plain language, so you feel confident in making an informed choice. Our role is to guide you through the process, negotiate with lenders on your behalf, and recommend the loan that aligns with your goals and long-term strategy.
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Our support doesn’t end once your loan settles — in fact, that’s just the beginning. We stay in touch to make sure your mortgage continues to meet your needs as your circumstances evolve. This includes:
Regular check-ins to review your loan structure, interest rates, and repayment options.
Identifying opportunities to save by refinancing or switching to a better product if rates or lender policies change.
Adjusting your loan as your life changes — for example, if you buy an investment property, renovate, or access equity.
Ongoing guidance on strategies to reduce interest costs, pay down debt faster, or leverage your property for future investments.
Our goal is to make sure your loan always works for you, helping you stay on track with your financial and property goals, while maximising flexibility and cost-efficiency.