Applying for a home loan when you’re new to Australia

Restrictions on foreign ownership

Before you get started, make sure you’re aware of the ownership restrictions for foreign buyers. If you’re not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may need permission from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) before you can purchase a property. In most cases, foreign non-residents are not permitted to buy established dwellings, and contract law means some people may not be able to buy at auction. Do your research and be prepared to make an application to the FIRB before you start your property search.

Count your costs

Next, think about your budget. Calculate how much you can borrow, what deposit you’ll need, what your monthly repayments will be, and how this fits with your current earnings and expenses.

If you need to borrow more than 80% of the total value of the property, most lenders will require you to take Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The amount varies, and it protects only the lender if you’re unable to repay the loan – not you.

There’s also stamp duty, which is a state tax on property purchases. The amount of stamp duty that is payable varies state by state, so be sure to use a stamp duty calculator to estimate what yours will be.

Secure your finance

It’s worth engaging a mortgage broker to help with your home loan administration, especially if you’re a foreign citizen with special requirements. The broker will act as an intermediary, researching the market and negotiating the loan on your behalf. Their services are generally free, as they’re paid a commission by the lender.

A mortgage broker can also help with deciding which type of loan is most suitable for you. The big choice is between a variable rate loan, where the interest rate fluctuates along with the market, and a fixed rate loan, where the rate is locked in for a set period of time. However relevant the choice on interest rate is, there are many other considerations to have into account when choosing a mortgage loan, including features, lenders’ service proposition, and convenience for your specific needs.

Lenders will look at several factors when they assess your suitability for a loan, such as your ability to make the repayments, the stability of your employment and the quality of the investment. If you clear all the hurdles, you’ll be eligible for loan pre-approval.

Find your perfect property

Research property prices in your target neighbourhoods and be prepared to devote your Saturdays to ‘open for inspections’ (when potential buyers can visit properties for sale). There are many websites where you can search thousands of properties online and organise your inspections calendar, which can make your househunting a little easier.

Properties are sold either by private sale, where you’ll negotiate with an agent, or at auction, an open bidding war where you’ll be pitted against other buyers. Know your limit, have your pre-approval sorted, and keep your fingers crossed!

Conveyancing and settlement

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of the property title from one person to another. It’s recommended you hire a conveyancer to deal with this complex documentation. This happens between the agreement and the settlement date, which will be set in the contract of sale. The settlement period is usually between 30 and 90 days, and can sometimes be negotiable.

Once you’ve got your head around the jargon and the steps you need to take, it’s just a matter of getting out there and looking for a property that suits your requirements. For more information about buying property in Australia, contact a mortgage broker today.

At MoneyQuest Eatons Hill we are full service finance and mortgage brokers, providing business finance, franchise lending, commercial and residential property mortgage loans, SMSF loans, and car and equipment finance.

Call us on 0417 551 445 for a no obligation appointment to discuss your specific requirements.