Aussie lenders, including the big banks, are reporting a boost in business that has surprised many market watchers. House prices across the country are rebounding after a COVID slump in 2020, and lenders are keen to invigorate the economy by approving loans in record numbers.
But anyone applying for a home loan – for a first home or an investment property – still needs to go through a process designed to make sure they’ll be able to service their loan into the future. Nobody wins if a borrower can’t repay their debts. So all lenders have certain details they need to confirm before issuing a loan. Gathering the paperwork can be time consuming, but it’s worth the effort to get everything in order before heading to a lender asking for a loan.
Here are the bits and pieces you’ll need to have on hand to secure a home loan.
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| Lender | Home Loan | Interest Rate | Comparison Rate* | Monthly Repayment | Repayment type | Rate Type | Offset | Redraw | Ongoing Fees | Upfront Fees | LVR | Lump Sum Repayment | Additional Repayments | Split Loan Option | Tags | Features | Link | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.04% p.a. | 6.06% p.a. | $2,408 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $530 | 70% | Featured Online ExclusiveUp To $4K Cashback |
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5.99% p.a. | 5.90% p.a. | $2,396 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $0 | 80% | Featured Apply In Minutes |
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6.14% p.a. | 6.16% p.a. | $2,434 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $250 | 60% | Featured Unlimited Redraws |
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Identification
Just like opening a bank account, you need to provide documents that prove you are who you say to are. The most common documents used are a passport or driver’s licence.
If you don’t have these, combinations of documents such as recent utility bills (electricity, gas, etc), birth or citizenship certificates, a Medicare card, or ATO tax assessment usually do the trick. Check this with each borrower you’re considering to make sure your ID will be accepted.
Bank statements
By law, lenders can only lend you what they think you can afford to repay. But different lenders have different rules.
To work out how much you can borrow, lenders need to see recent bank account transactions (no older than 60 days), including credit card statements. Some lenders also want to see your superannuation details, so bring along a recent statement if you can.
Income details
No surprise here: lenders need to know what you earn. Payment summaries from your employer suffice, or a signed letter on letterhead outlining your pay details. If it’s easier, two recent consecutive payslips are usually acceptable.
If you’re self-employed, you’ll need your two most recent tax assessments as well as your current profit-and-loss and balance sheets. A letter from your accountant confirming your income can also be useful. And if you’ve changed employers in the past three months, you’ll also need to bring along your new employment contract.
Evidence of any other income is also needed, including rental income, Centrelink payments, investment dividends, etc. It all helps. If you’re receiving financial help from a friend or relative, they’ll need to complete a statutory declaration stating the value of their contribution.
Related: What are low doc home loans?
Loans and payments
If you have any other loans (property, car, personal, store cards, etc.) you will need a recent statement containing the loan amount and repayment details.
Many people don’t realise that credit cards are considered the same as loans by lenders. So a card with a $15,000 credit limit is counted against your savings and income, whether you owe anything on it or not. It might be worth thinking about closing credit accounts if you have multiple cards.
If you have any insurances such as life, car, home and contents, or income protection, bring the details along, as the lender needs to understand your ongoing premium commitments.
Related: What type of car insurance should you get?
Living expenses
This is where things get a bit tricky. Lenders will want to know your monthly living expenses. This is so they can work out whether there’ll be enough left over for you to make regular repayments. Living expenses include bills, subscriptions, memberships, entertainment costs including eating out and going to movies, groceries, petrol and more. Lenders don’t count one-off expenses such as for a new car; they’re just looking for day-to-day costs.
When I work with a client to find a loan that’s right for them, I always look through at least the last three months of bank statements to verify the expenses being declared in the application, so I can be sure people can afford the loan they’re contemplating. Cancelling memberships and regular donations, and going out less can take a big chunk out of your expenses.
If we can identify expenses that can be cut back on, we might choose to hold off on applying for a loan for a couple of months.
Get ready to bargain
Finally, bring along your confidence! If your paperwork and finances are in good shape, you can try negotiating for better loan conditions (reduced fees, added features such as redraw, and even a lower interest rate).
As a mortgage broker, I do this all of the time on behalf of my clients, in addition to helping with preparation of paperwork and completing the loan application. It’s surprising how often banks will negotiate, especially for potential borrowers with a good financial history.
Good luck!
Photo via Amy Hirschi on Unsplash
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