First Home Buyer Mortgage Broker in Sydney
Buying your first home starts with more than finding a property. Get clear on your budget, deposit, NSW assistance and what a lender will assess. Based in Edmondson Park, Financio helps first home buyers across Liverpool, South West Sydney and the wider Sydney area understand their finance options and plan the next step.
Book a free consultation Call 0480 743 430
Deposit planning · NSW first home buyer assistance · Loan comparison · Pre-approval guidance
First home finance, from deposit to settlement
Your first home, planned with clarity
Buying a first home is a big decision, and the finance can feel complicated. As a first home buyer mortgage broker in Sydney, Financio helps you understand the numbers, compare relevant home loan options and prepare for the lender’s assessment. We are based in Edmondson Park and work with buyers across Liverpool, South West Sydney and the wider Sydney area.
Know your first home buying budget
A lender’s maximum borrowing amount is not necessarily the amount you will feel comfortable repaying. Before you start making offers, look at your buying position from three angles:
Cash needed upfront
Plan for your deposit as well as conveyancing, inspections, moving costs, transfer duty if applicable and any lenders mortgage insurance (LMI).
Borrowing capacity
Lenders assess income, living expenses, existing debts and credit limits, savings, employment and the property. Assessment policies can differ.
Repayments that fit
Allow for loan repayments alongside council rates, strata where relevant, insurance, maintenance and a buffer for unexpected costs.
We can help you work through these questions whether you are just beginning to save or are ready to discuss home loan pre-approval.
How much deposit do first home buyers need?
A 20% deposit is a common savings target because it may avoid LMI on a standard home loan. Some buyers can purchase with a smaller deposit, but that can mean a larger loan, LMI or eligibility conditions. LMI protects the lender, not the borrower.
Example only: 5% of an $800,000 purchase price is $40,000; 20% is $160,000. These figures exclude purchase costs and do not establish eligibility or borrowing capacity.
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme may allow an eligible first home buyer to purchase with a minimum 5% deposit without LMI through a participating lender. It is a government guarantee, not a cash grant, and lender credit approval and other costs still apply. Some lenders may also accept a genuine family gift or offer a family guarantee; check the terms and risks carefully.
Read the official Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme requirements and Moneysmart’s deposit guidance. We can help you estimate the funds you may need for the finance pathway you are considering.
First home buyer grants and schemes in NSW
NSW and Australian Government programs can reduce some purchase costs or change how much deposit an eligible buyer needs. Each program has separate rules, price caps, residence requirements and application steps. These are the main options to check:
First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme (transfer duty)
Eligible buyers may receive a full transfer duty exemption on a new or existing home valued at $800,000 or less, or a reduced amount above $800,000 and below $1 million. Other eligibility and residence conditions apply. Check current Revenue NSW rules.
First Home Owner Grant (new homes)
A $10,000 grant may be available for an eligible new or substantially renovated home. Current price caps are $600,000 for a new home and $750,000 for an eligible land-and-build purchase. It does not apply to an established home. Check the NSW grant requirements.
5% Deposit Scheme and First Home Super Saver Scheme
The federal deposit guarantee and the ATO’s First Home Super Saver Scheme are different pathways, with their own eligibility and rules. The 5% scheme depends on participating-lender availability and property price caps. Voluntary super contributions and withdrawals under FHSS have tax and release rules. Read the 5% Deposit Scheme details and ATO FHSS guidance.
The federal Help to Buy shared equity scheme may also suit some buyers. Its eligibility and participating-lender rules are separate; do not assume it can be combined with another government scheme. Confirm current details with the official program administrator before relying on any assistance.
Program figures were checked against official sources on 1 October 2026. Thresholds, caps and requirements can change. The relevant authority determines eligibility; this page is general information, not an eligibility decision.
What does home loan pre-approval tell you?
Pre-approval is a lender’s conditional assessment based on the information available at the time. It may give you a more informed price range and identify documents or conditions still needed. It is not final approval or a guarantee that a particular property will be financed. The lender may still assess your updated circumstances, the property, valuation and contract before making a final decision.
Before bidding or signing, ask your conveyancer or solicitor about contract terms, finance clauses and timing. We can guide you through the finance application; legal advice about a purchase contract should come from your legal adviser.
Compare the whole first home loan, not only the rate
When comparing home loans, consider the interest rate and comparison rate, upfront and ongoing fees, repayments, LMI, fixed or variable rate conditions, and whether features such as an offset account or redraw facility suit your needs. Check rules for extra repayments and any break or discharge costs. A feature is valuable only if it matches how you plan to manage the loan.
Financio can explain options available through its provider panel, why an option may suit your stated needs and the panel’s limits. We will explain any fees or commissions that apply before you proceed. For a general checklist, see Moneysmart’s guide to choosing a home loan.
Your first home finance journey with Financio
- Talk through your plans. Share your preferred area, timing, savings and questions. Your first consultation is free.
- Review your position. We discuss income, expenses, deposit source, commitments and possible purchase costs, then outline information a lender may request.
- Compare relevant options. We explain available provider information, product costs and features so you can decide whether to apply.
- Prepare an application. If you choose to proceed, we help organise and submit the information required by the selected lender. Assessment times and outcomes depend on that lender.
- Progress toward settlement. Once you find a property, the lender assesses the property and final application. We keep you informed as the finance moves forward.
You remain in control of the decision. No broker can promise a particular rate, approval or access to a government program.
What to bring to your first home buyer consultation
You do not need a complete application to ask a question. If you have them handy, bring an estimate of your savings and deposit source, income and employment details, existing loans and credit card limits, regular expenses, preferred suburbs or property type, and approximate buying timeframe. A lender may later request identity documents, payslips or tax records, bank statements and property documents.
Exploring Islamic home finance?
If avoiding conventional interest is important to you, tell us early in the conversation. Some providers offer Shariah-based home finance arrangements that are structured differently from standard home loans. Availability, contract structure, costs, eligibility and compatibility with government programs must be checked for the specific provider and your circumstances. Read our dedicated guide to Islamic home loans in Sydney for more information.
First home buyer mortgage support in Edmondson Park
Financio Lending Solutions Pty Ltd is based at 10 Kalgan Road, Edmondson Park NSW 2174. We assist first home buyers in Liverpool, South West Sydney and across Sydney. Whether you are still saving, comparing a new build with an established home, or preparing to make an offer, we can help you understand the next finance step in plain language.
Our role is to help you understand provider options and coordinate a finance application. Lenders make credit decisions; Revenue NSW and federal program administrators determine assistance eligibility. Ask how we are paid, which providers we can access and what any proposed loan will cost.
Book a free first home buyer consultation  Call 0480 743 430
First home buyer FAQs
Do I need a 20% deposit to buy my first home?
Not always. A 20% deposit may avoid LMI on many standard loans, while eligible buyers may have smaller-deposit options. The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme is one pathway through a participating lender. Borrowing capacity, purchase costs, property caps and lender rules still apply.
Can I get the NSW First Home Owner Grant for an established home?
No. The NSW grant applies to eligible new or substantially renovated homes within the current price caps. The separate First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme may reduce transfer duty on an eligible new or existing home.
Do first home buyers pay transfer duty in NSW?
Eligible buyers may receive a full exemption on a new or existing home valued at $800,000 or less, or a concession above $800,000 and below $1 million. The buyer and transaction must satisfy current Revenue NSW rules, including residence conditions.
Is pre-approval the same as final home loan approval?
No. Pre-approval is conditional. Before final approval, a lender may still need to assess the property, valuation, contract, updated financial information and any outstanding conditions.
Can HECS-HELP or credit cards affect my borrowing capacity?
They can. Lenders consider income, living expenses, debts and credit limits when assessing an application. Policies vary, so it can help to review your position before applying.
Can family help with my deposit?
Some lenders may accept a genuine gift or offer a family guarantee. Conditions differ, and a guarantee can put the family member’s property or finances at risk. Anyone considering one should understand the documents and may wish to get independent legal advice.
Is my first consultation with Financio free?
Yes. You can book a free initial conversation. We will explain our service, provider access and any fees or commissions that apply before you decide whether to proceed.
Can a first home buyer ask about Islamic home finance?
Yes. We can discuss information available for relevant Shariah-based provider arrangements. Their structures and costs differ from conventional loans, and provider approval or scheme eligibility depends on the particular arrangement and your circumstances. See our Islamic home loans in Sydney guide.
Take the next step toward your first home
Tell us where you are in the process—still saving, exploring pre-approval or already looking at a property. We will help you understand the deposit, NSW assistance and finance questions relevant to your next decision.
Book a free consultation  Call 0480 743 430
General information only. This is not a loan offer, credit decision, legal or tax advice, or a guarantee of grant or scheme eligibility. Finance terms and criteria depend on the relevant provider and program.
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Book a free conversation to talk through your deposit, buying timeline, NSW assistance and home loan options. Financio is based in Edmondson Park and supports first home buyers across Sydney.