Applying for a home loan is one of the biggest financial steps many Australians will ever take. Whether you're a first-time buyer, upgrading to a bigger home or refinancing an existing loan, avoiding a few common mistakes can save you time, money and frustration. Here are the top mistakes to avoid when applying for a home loan and how you can sidestep them for a smoother approval journey.

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it can also be financially challenging. Thankfully, the Australian Government and various state and territory governments offer a range of grants, concessions and schemes to support first home buyers. In this article, we will walk you through the most popular grants and incentives, explain who is eligible and help you understand how they work - so you can make the most of them!

Getting a mortgage isn't just about picking a house and signing papers. It’s about ticking the right boxes, your boxes and the bank’s. And if you don’t know what those boxes are, things can fall apart fast. So, what’s the secret to home loan approval criteria? There’s no magic trick. But there is a clear roadmap. Once you understand what banks really want to see, you're in a stronger position to get that "yes." Let’s break it down.

At Select Loan and Mortgage, we believe in transparency, trust and professional guidance for every client. Whether you are buying your first home or refinancing your current loan, it is critical to work with someone who puts your needs first and that is exactly what the Best Interests Duty (BID) is all about. But what exactly is BID? Why is it important? And how does it protect you as a borrower? Let’s break it down.

Your home loan doesn’t need to hang over you for 30 years. That’s the truth no one tells you when you first sign up. Most people just assume that a mortgage is a lifelong companion. But what if you could ditch it years earlier, and save tens of thousands in the process? Good news: You can. And it’s not about earning more or winning the lottery. It’s about playing smart with what you’ve already got. Here’s how.

Your credit score plays a major role in determining the interest rate you'll be offered on a home loan. A higher score can help you unlock lower interest rates and better mortgage terms, potentially saving you thousands over the life of your loan.  Here’s how to improve your credit score and maximise your chances of getting a favourable home loan deal in Australia. 

On November 6, 2024, Donald Trump was announced as the president-elect of the United States, marking the beginning of an era that promises significant policy changes. Within days, there was an uptick in the dollar exchange rate, a steady downfall of gold prices, and a boom in the crypto market, which quite literally has shuffled the global economy. While the market is still anticipating the inauguration of Trump on January 5, 2025, this news piece covers exactly how the Australian housing sector could be influenced as a ripple effect. Below, we explore how Trump's policies might indirectly affect Australian homeowners, prospective buyers, and investors