Buying your first home on the Central Coast?

Start with the numbers before you start making offers.

Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel confusing.

How much can you borrow?
How much deposit do you need?
Are you eligible for a government scheme?
Will you need to pay stamp duty?
Should you get pre approval before making an offer?
What happens if the bank valuation comes in lower than the purchase price?

These are all normal questions.

I have created this free First Home Buyer Guide to help explain the key steps in plain English, so you can start the process with more confidence.

Get the free guide

No obligation. Your details will not be sold or shared. I may follow up to see whether you have any questions about buying your first home.

What this guide helps you understand

The First Home Buyer Guide has been designed to help you understand the process before you start seriously looking, making offers or signing a contract.

It explains:

How lenders assess your borrowing capacity.
How much deposit you may need.
Why a 5 percent deposit does not always mean 5 percent total funds.
How government schemes and stamp duty assistance may apply.
What Lenders Mortgage Insurance is.
Why pre approval matters.
How your credit position and living expenses can impact an application.
What documents lenders usually ask for.
Why conveyancing, building reports, pest reports and strata reports matter.
What happens during the valuation process.
Common mistakes first home buyers should avoid.

Why start with the numbers?

Many first home buyers start by looking at properties online or attending open homes.

That is understandable, but it can also lead to frustration if you do not yet know your borrowing range, deposit position or total funds required.

Starting with the numbers helps you understand:

What price range may be realistic.
How much deposit you may need.
What extra costs you should allow for.
Whether any government support may apply.
Whether pre approval may be suitable before making an offer.

The aim is not to make you an expert in home loans. The aim is to help you ask better questions, avoid common traps and know when to get the right advice.

Who is this guide for?

This guide may be useful if you are:

Buying your first home on the Central Coast.
Still saving your deposit.
Unsure how much you may be able to borrow.
Wondering whether you can buy with less than a 20 percent deposit.
Trying to understand the 5 percent deposit scheme.
Thinking about getting pre approval.
Attending open homes but unsure what to do next.
Nervous about making your first offer.

About Horizon Mortgages

Hi, I’m Reuben Brown, founder of Horizon Mortgages.

I’m a mortgage broker based on the Central Coast and I help first home buyers understand their options, compare lenders and move through the home loan process with more confidence.

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when there are different lenders, policies, documents, schemes, valuations and approval steps involved.

My role is to make the process clearer and easier to understand.

What happens after you request the guide?

Once you submit your details, I will email you the First Home Buyer Guide.

You are welcome to read through it in your own time.

If you would like help checking your numbers, you can also contact me for a first home buyer chat. This can help you understand your borrowing range, deposit position, possible purchase costs and whether any government support may apply to your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a 20 percent deposit to buy my first home?

Not always. Some first home buyers may be able to buy with a smaller deposit, depending on their circumstances, lender policy and eligibility for government schemes.

Does a 5 percent deposit mean I only need 5 percent of the purchase price?

Not usually. You may still need to allow for other costs such as conveyancing, reports, bank fees, government charges, insurance, moving costs and stamp duty if applicable.

Should I get pre approval before making an offer?

In many cases, yes. Pre approval can help you understand your borrowing range and give you more confidence when searching for property. However, not all pre approvals are the same, and final approval is usually still subject to conditions.

Can you check if I may be eligible for government support?

Yes. Eligibility depends on your situation, the property, lender participation and the rules in place at the time. I can help you understand whether government support may apply.

Is the guide free?

Yes. The guide is free and there is no obligation to proceed.

Ready to start?

Download the free First Home Buyer Guide and start with the numbers before you start making offers.

Contact

Reuben Brown
Horizon Mortgages
0488 798 787
reuben@horizonmortgages.com.au
www.horizonmortgages.com.au

General information only. This page and guide do not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Lending criteria, interest rates, government schemes and eligibility rules can change. You should seek personalised advice before making a decision.