Modern living room with white curved sofa, two white loungers, a small wooden coffee table, and large arched windows with potted plants outside.

First Home Buyers Brisbane & Across Australia

Welcome to Your First Home Buying Journey!

Buying your first home is one of life’s biggest milestones, exciting, but often overwhelming. At FINANS Brokers, we specialise in helping first home buyers in Brisbane and across Australia navigate the process with confidence. From your very first question to the moment you get the keys (and beyond), we’ll be in your corner making sure the journey feels clear and achievable.

Step 1: Understand Your Finances

Before you start scrolling through property listings, it’s important to know where you stand financially. As your mortgage broker, we’ll help you:

  • Review your income, expenses, and savings

  • Work out your borrowing power

  • Understand how much deposit you’ll need

  • Set a realistic budget for your first home

This clarity up front means you can focus on homes that truly suit your lifestyle and financial comfort zone.

Step 2: Saving for Your Deposit

Traditionally, buyers needed a 20% deposit to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). These days, there are more flexible options for first home buyers, including:

  • 5% deposit loans through the First Home Guarantee Scheme (FHG), helping you get into the market sooner and avoid LMI.

  • Tailored savings strategies to help you grow your deposit faster.

  • Options for guarantor loans where family support is available.

We’ll explore the best path for your circumstances and goals.

Step 3: Government Schemes & Grants

As a first home buyer in Queensland or anywhere in Australia, you may be eligible for powerful government assistance, including:

  • First Home Guarantee Scheme (FHG): From October 2025, unlimited spots, no income caps, and higher price caps (up to $1M in Brisbane and other capital cities such as Sydney up to 1.5M , $700k in regional areas).

  • First Home Owner Grant (FHOG): A one-off grant for new homes (state-specific).

  • Stamp duty concessions: Significant savings for eligible first home buyers.

Our team will check your eligibility and make sure you don’t miss out on thousands of dollars in support.

Step 4: Choosing the Right Loan

Every first home buyer’s needs are different, that’s why comparing lenders and loan structures matters. We’ll guide you through:

  • Principal & Interest loans: build equity and pay off debt steadily.

  • Interest-only options: lower initial repayments in certain cases.

  • Fixed vs Variable rates: stability versus flexibility.

  • Offset accounts and redraw: smart tools to help you save interest and repay faster.

As your broker, we negotiate with lenders, handle the paperwork, and ensure the loan works for you today and in the future.

Step 5: Don’t Forget the Extra Costs

Buying your first home involves more than just the deposit. You’ll need to budget for:

  • Stamp duty (less if you’re eligible for concessions)

  • Building & pest inspections

  • Legal / conveyancing fees

  • LMI (if applicable)

  • Moving costs & home insurance

We’ll give you a clear breakdown so there are no surprises along the way.

Step 6: The Home Buying Process

Here’s how the journey typically unfolds with FINANS by your side:

  1. Pre-approval: Get clarity on your borrowing power and confidence as a buyer.

  2. Property search: Start house-hunting within your budget, knowing your numbers are solid.

  3. Making an offer: We’ll guide you through negotiations so you can buy with confidence.

  4. Settlement: Finalise your loan, complete inspections, and celebrate the keys being handed over.

Ongoing Support Beyond Settlement

At FINANS, we don’t disappear after settlement. We check in regularly with 6 monthly & annual loan reviews, keep you updated on interest rate movements and RBA decisions, and help you plan strategies like refinancing or upgrading down the track. You’re not just a client, you’re part of the FINANS family.

Ready to Buy Your First Home?

If you’re ready to start your first home buyer journey in Brisbane or anywhere in Australia, FINANS Brokers is here to make the process easy, stress-free, and successful.

Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s make your dream of homeownership a reality.

I'M READY

First Home Buyer FAQs

  • Most lenders require a deposit of at least 5–20% of the property’s value. If you qualify for government schemes like the First Home Guarantee, you may be able to purchase with as little as 5% deposit and avoid paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

  • First home buyers may qualify for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), the First Home Guarantee (FHBG), and state-based stamp duty concessions. These initiatives can reduce upfront costs, boost your deposit, and help you enter the property market sooner. At FINANS, we’ll assess your eligibility and ensure you access every benefit available in your state.

  • In many states, including Queensland, first home buyers may receive stamp duty concessions or exemptions depending on the purchase price and property type. For example, if you’re buying under a set threshold, you may not need to pay any stamp duty at all. Our team will calculate your exact costs and guide you through the application for concessions.

  • A mortgage broker for first home buyers compares loans from over 60 lenders, negotiates competitive rates, and handles the complex paperwork. At FINANS, we also check your eligibility for government grants, explain loan structures like fixed vs variable rates, and provide ongoing support so you feel confident throughout your property journey.

  • Yes, if you’re eligible for the First Home Guarantee (FHBG), you may be able to purchase your first home with just a 5% deposit in Brisbane or regional Queensland, without paying LMI. This makes homeownership more achievable and reduces the time needed to save for a deposit.

  • Beyond your deposit, you’ll need to prepare for additional expenses such as stamp duty (if applicable), building and pest inspections, legal fees, loan application fees, home insurance, and moving costs. We’ll give you a full breakdown upfront so there are no surprises when buying your first home

  • Your borrowing power as a first home buyer depends on your income, expenses, debts, and deposit size. Lenders also factor in the property type and location. At FINANS, we calculate your borrowing capacity across multiple lenders to show you exactly what you can afford in today’s market.

  • Yes. Many lenders offer family guarantor home loans, where a parent or close relative uses equity in their property to help first home buyers purchase with little or no deposit. This option can eliminate LMI and significantly reduce upfront costs. We’ll explain the benefits and responsibilities before you decide.

  • Most lenders provide home loan pre-approval for 90 days. This allows first home buyers to search for properties with confidence, knowing their budget is backed by a lender. If you don’t secure a property in that time, we can easily help you renew your pre-approval.

  • A fixed-rate home loan gives first home buyers certainty with locked-in repayments, while a variable-rate loan offers flexibility, often with features like offset accounts and redraw. The best choice depends on your budget and long-term goals. We’ll compare both options to help you decide what’s right for your first property purchase.