Articles and guides

Expert articles and guides on mortgage broking, property finance, SMSF lending, self-employed borrowing, and specialist finance from Australia's leading brokers.

• Life Transitions Found your dream home, but haven’t sold yours yet? by Bruce Johnstone

  With a strategic "Buy Now, Sell Later" bridging loan, you can secure your next property immediately without the pressure of a discounted fire sale.

• From nurse to broker: meet Amie Parker by Broker Codex Editorial

  Amie Parker swapped nursing for mortgage broking in Orange NSW. She works with first home buyers, single parents, and solo mums by choice.

• Self-Employed Where to From Here: Australian Small Business Finance 2026 by Sonja Pfitz

  Australian small businesses are facing mounting pressure. Knowing what to prioritise and acting early can turn challenges into opportunities.

• Self-Employed Finance Ready: An SME Guide for Australian Business Owners by Sonja Pfitz

  Being finance ready means a lender can say yes fast. Here's what Australian SMEs need in place before they apply, and why waiting costs you money.

• Ask an Expert How Do the 5 Cs of Credit Affect Your Home Loan? by Preeti Sidhu

  Wondering what lenders look for when assessing a home loan? Learn how the 5 Cs of Credit can affect your borrowing capacity and loan approval.

• Self-Employed PFITZ Model: A Working Capital Check for Australian SMEs by Sonja Pfitz

  Profitable but short of cash? The PFITZ Model checks the five areas of your working capital so you know where you stand before any lender does.

• Business Finance Management Buyout Finance in Australia: How MBOs Get Funded by Sonja Pfitz

  Buying the business you run? Here's how a management buyout in Australia gets funded, what lenders look for, and why the debtor book often matters most.

• First Home Buyers Is Now Really a Good Time to Buy Your First Home in QLD? by Sandy Martinez Litardo

  Brisbane's auction clearance rates are at their lowest since 2020. For first home buyers in QLD, that shift could open real doors. Here's what it means for you.

• Business Finance How to Plan for the Christmas Cash Squeeze in Australia by Sonja Pfitz

  Revenue stops over Christmas. Wages, leave, super and suppliers don't. Here's how Australian business owners can plan for the December to January cash gap now.

• Self-Employed Equipment Finance for Self-Employed Operators in Australia by Sonja Pfitz

  Self-employed and need a ute, truck or machine? Here's what lenders really check for equipment finance, and how tradies get approved without the runaround.

• Business Finance Business Loan to Pay Tax Debt in Australia Before June 2027 by Sonja Pfitz

  The ATO credit card ban is delayed, not cancelled. The ATO interest is no cheap nor deductible, here's when a business loan to clear tax debt makes sense.

• Self-Employed Self-Employed in QLD? How Tax Write-Offs Affect Your Home Loan by Sandy Martinez Litardo

  Tax write-offs keep your taxable income low, but that can shrink what lenders will offer you. Here's what self-employed buyers in QLD need to know.

• Guides How to use the equity in your home to buy an investment property by Broker Codex Editorial

  Equity in your home can fund your first investment property deposit. Here's what equity actually is, how much is usable, and how the structure works.

• Guides Why pre-approval isn't a guarantee: a broker's honest take by Broker Codex Editorial

  Pre-approval sounds like a loan offer. It isn't. Here's what pre-approval actually is, what it isn't, and how to protect yourself at auction and offer stage.

• Self-Employed Add-backs: How self-employed income is assessed for a home loan by Broker Codex Editorial

  Self-employed and told your borrowing capacity is lower than expected? Add-backs could close that gap. Here's how lenders assess them differently.

• Buying Your First Investment Property in NSW: A Guide by Fay

  Thinking about your first investment property? Fay at The Mortgage Mum walks you through deposits, equity, loan structure, and costs before you buy.

• Guides How Do Lenders Assess Penalty Rates and Loadings for Nurses? by Nathan McArdle

  Nurse payslips can be hard to read, and lenders may treat loadings differently. A registered nurse and mortgage broker shares what to ask before you apply.

• Investment Property How to Buy an Investment Property Under Market Value in 2026 by Liam Whinfield

  Liam Whinfield shares how he bought his first property $235,000 under market value using a letterbox drop, limited borrowing capacity, and one bold action.

• First Home Buyers Should Melbourne Nurses Buy a Starter Home First? by Nathan McArdle

  Nurses don't have to choose between their dream home and financial stress. Here's why starting small could get you there faster, on a nurse's income.

• Investment Property Can a Nurse Retire Early Using Investment Property? by Nathan McArdle

  Nursing is hard, here's how investing in property could help you cut your hours, spend more time with family, and eventually step back from the grind.

• Investment Property How Much Deposit Do I Need for an Investment Property in WA? by Liam Whinfield

  Thinking 20% is the magic number for an investment property deposit in WA? It's more nuanced than that. Here's how to think about it properly.

• Guides Islamic Home Finance With a 5% Deposit: A Sydney Guide by Fay

  Think Islamic home finance needs a big deposit? Some providers accept far less. Learn how a small deposit works, the trade-offs, and whether to buy now.

• Ask an Expert Is Islamic Home Finance More Expensive? A Sydney/Aust Guide by Fay

  Thinking of switching to Shariah-compliant finance? Learn what really drives the cost and how one Western Sydney family refinanced without paying more.

• Investment Property Can I Buy a Commercial Property in My Personal Name? by Michelle

  Think commercial property requires a company or big deposit? Learn how individuals can invest and why commercial property may be more accessible than you think.

• SME Can Your Business Survive a Supplier Failure in Australia? by Sonja Pfitz

  When a key supplier fails, the problem lands on you. Learn how Australian business owners can spot supplier dependency and reduce the risk early.

• SME Which Customers Really Make Your Australian Business Money? by Sonja Pfitz

  Your biggest customer may not be your most profitable. Learn how Australian businesses can identify which customers genuinely contribute to profit.

• Refinancing When Should I Refinance? by Eshanee Collins

  Six signs it's time to review your home loan in 2026, how to tell if refinancing is worth the cost, and when to stay put.

• SME Can More Sales Fix a Bad Business Margin in Australia? by Sonja Pfitz

  More sales can make a margin problem worse. Learn why Australian businesses can grow revenue while gross profit falls and what owners should watch.

• Business Finance Should Australian Businesses Still Offer 30-Day Terms? by Sonja Pfitz

  Late payments hit a six-year high. Learn how Australian business owners can review customer credit and payment terms before a slow payer becomes a loss.

• Life Transitions How Do You Protect Your Energy While Helping Others? by Sonja Pfitz

  Sonja Pfitz reflects on what it means to show up for clients, family, and community without losing yourself in the process. A personal perspective.

• First Home Buyers What are the benefits of the Government 5% deposit scheme by Richard Harper

  Do you want to know the benefits of the 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers in NSW. Are you wondering how much deposit you need or what you could save.

• First Home Buyers Buy a Home or Investment Property First in Australia? by Liam Whinfield

  Buying to live in or investing first? Both paths have real costs and benefits. Here's how to weigh them up before you commit either way.

• Business Finance The Side of Business Ownership Nobody Talks About. by Sonja Pfitz

  Running a business is one of the toughest things you can do. If you're struggling, here's what I want you to know as someone who has been there too.

• First Home Buyers How a mum of two bought her first home after leaving a difficult relationship by Rielle Berglund

  How a mum in her 40s bought her first home two and a half years after leaving with nothing, using Help to Buy and a deposit she saved from casual work.

• Life Transitions Case study: How a single mum kept the family home using Help to Buy after separation by Rielle Berglund

  How a single mum in regional NSW bought out her ex-partner and kept the family home using the Help to Buy shared equity scheme.

• First Home Buyers Case study: How a mum in her 30s bought her first solo home after separation with help from her family by Rielle Berglund

  A single mum in her 30s bought an inner-city home after separation using a $320k gift from her family. Here's how the application worked step by step.

• Self-Employed Buying a home as a self-employed single parent using the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme by Rielle Berglund

  How self-employed single parents in Australia can access the 5% Deposit Scheme. Eligibility, documentation, deposit, and lender choice explained.

• Self-Employed Why so many self-employed women get told 'no' when a broker could get them 'yes' by Rielle Berglund

  Self-employed women are often told 'no' by their own bank when a specialist broker could get them approved. Here's why, and how to change it.

• Self-Employed Self-employed single mums: the four documents to get in order before applying for a home loan by Rielle Berglund

  The four documents self-employed single mums need in order before applying for a home loan in Australia. What they are, and why each one matters.

• Self-Employed Self-employed and single: what changes about your home loan by Rielle Berglund

  Self-employed and applying for a home loan on your own income in Australia? Here's what changes when there's no PAYG partner to anchor the application.

• Business Finance Business Debt Australia: Productive or a Problem? by Sonja Pfitz

  Business debt can fund growth or mask a deeper problem. Learn how to assess what your finance is doing before taking on more debt in your Australian business.

• Ask an Expert Business Loan Warning Signs Australia: Is Your Bank Worried? by Sonja Pfitz

  Your bank may show warning signs before saying no. Learn what tighter limits, more questions and extra scrutiny can reveal about your business finance.

• Guides Business Cashflow Finance Australia:What Is Causing the Gap? by Sonja Pfitz

  A cashflow gap can mean very different problems. Work out what's really creating the shortage before chasing finance, so the right fix actually solves it.

• First Home Buyers How Much Deposit Do I Really Need To Buy A Home? by Preeti Sidhu

  Think you need a 20% deposit? You may have more options than you realise. Learn what buyers really need before purchasing a property.

• Investment Property Offset Account vs Redraw: Which Is Better for Your Situation? by Preeti Sidhu

  Both reduce interest, but they work differently. Learn when an offset account may be better than redraw and how the right structure can save money.

• Self-Employed Can I Get a Home Loan If I’m Self-Employed in Australia? by Preeti Sidhu

  Self-employed and unsure if you qualify for a home loan? Learn what Australian lenders assess and how to prepare a stronger application.

• Investment Property Is the Biggest Home You Can Afford a Good Investment In AUS? by Liam Whinfield

  Is buying the biggest home you can afford really smart? See the numbers, tax impact and why an investment portfolio may leave you better off.

• Ask an Expert Necessary Documents for Construction Loan Applications by Hussein Najm

  What Typical Documents Are Required And Why Do Lenders Often Ask For Them?

• Ask an Expert I'm a Miner, I'm on good money, can I get a homeloan in NSW by Richard Harper

  I work in the mines and I think I earn enough money, but how does my overtime, penalty rates, bonuses, LAHA impact my lending, can I get a loan.

• First Home Buyers How Much Deposit Do First Home Buyers Really Need? by Richard Harper

  Told you need a huge deposit to buy your first home? A Brisbane family got a very different answer after speaking with a mortgage broker. Here's what you should know.

• Industry News Are You a Medical Professional? You Could Get a Home Loan With a Smaller Deposit by Eshanee Collins

  Doctors and other medical professionals may access home loan benefits including LMI waivers and smaller deposits. Find out what you could qualify for.

• Industry News Should I Pay Off My HECS Debt Before Buying a House? by Eshanee Collins

  Thinking of paying off your HECS/HELP debt before buying a home? Learn how HECS debt can affect borrowing capacity and why paying it off isn’t always the right answer.

• Investment Property Should I Buy Property Now or Wait for Prices to Fall? by Eshanee Collins

  Property prices are falling, but does that mean you should wait? Here’s what to consider before deciding whether now is the right time to buy.

• Investment Property Can I Use Equity to Buy an Investment Property? by Eshanee Collins

  Learn how home equity can help fund an investment property deposit, how usable equity works and why borrowing capacity still matters.

• Investment Property How Much Can I Borrow for an Investment Property? by Eshanee Collins

  Learn how lenders calculate investment property borrowing capacity, what can reduce it, and why your borrowing power can vary between lenders.

• Guides New Migrant Home Loans Australia: PR & Non-PR Guide by Peter

  Can new migrants get a home loan in Australia? Discover PR and TR lending strategies, FIRB exemption rules, stamp duty savings, and 5% deposit options.

• Ask an Expert Business Growth: Why Australian Banks Can Get Nervous by Sonja Pfitz

  Strong sales can make lenders cautious. Learn how growth affects cashflow, working capital risk and funding, and how to prepare before you need new finance now.

• Refinancing Business Finance Review Australia: Is Your Funding Right? by Sonja Pfitz

  Review your business finance structure and lender fit to see whether your current facilities still support growth, cashflow and future plans.

• Ask an Expert Your Business Is Profitable. Why Is There Never Enough Cash? by Sonja Pfitz

  Why can a profitable Australian business still have cashflow problems? Learn how working capital, debtors, tax and business finance affect cash flows and scale.

• Investment Property How To Buy An Investment Property To Pay Off Your Home Loan by Liam Whinfield

  Buy a $600k investment, grows to $1m, and potentially use around $391k after debt, selling costs and tax to pay down your mortgage.

• Ask an Expert Construction Project Ownership Structures: Why It Matters. by Hussein Najm

  Does It Matter Whether I Build as an Individual, a Company, or a Trust?

• Ask an Expert ATO Debt vs Business Loan for Australian Business Owners by Sonja Pfitz

  ATO debt can be costly. Learn when refinancing ATO tax debt with a business loan may reduce interest costs, improve cash flow and strengthen your business.

• Ask an Expert Why Australian Businesses Still Get Told No for Finance by Sonja Pfitz

  Tax arrears, a break-even year, or the wrong industry code isn't always a no. Most rejections come down to just one detail worth looking past once someone asks.

• Ask an Expert Mortgage or Construction Loan? What's Actually Different. by Hussein Najm

  "I just want to build a house, why can't I use a normal home loan?"

• Asset Finance Australian Transport Finance: Why Broker Checks Matter by Sonja Pfitz

  Before buying a truck privately or using sale-and-leaseback, Australian transport operators should check ownership, finance interests and asset value.

• Guides Can a Single Parent Buy Out a Former Partner With Help to Buy? by Broker Codex Editorial

  Help to Buy has a specific exception for single parents wanting to buy out a former partner's share of the family home. Here's how it works in plain terms.

• Guides How Can Queensland SMEs Fund Growth Without Risking Home? by JB Fremy

  Learn how Queensland business owners can match funding to cashflow needs, reduce household exposure and avoid using home equity by default in 2026.

• Ask an Expert ATO Tax Debt in Australia? Better Business Funding Options by Sonja Pfitz

  If your business owes the ATO, you may be paying more than you need to. Here's why a lending solution could be the smarter move for your cashflow.

• Life Transitions Preparing Young Australians for Work, But What About Life? by Sonja Pfitz

  Financial wellbeing is more than money. Life readiness gives young Australians the skills to navigate work, money, resilience and independence.

• Refinancing Can a Mortgage Broker Help Me Refinance My Home Loan? by Sandy Martinez

  Considering refinancing your home loan? Discover how a mortgage broker can help, the pros and cons, and why refinancing can be different for the self-employed.

• Guides Trade Finance: Funding Australian Business Cashflow & Growth by Sonja Pfitz

  Learn how trade finance can fund supplier payments, bridge cashflow gaps and help Australian businesses take on larger orders and grow with confidence.

• Self-Employed Where the Gender Finance Gap Really Lives in Australia by Sonja Pfitz

  The gender finance gap isn't always in the numbers. It's often in how risk is assessed, limiting finance for strong women-led Australian businesses.

• First Home Buyers Can I use my superannuation to help buy my first home? by Joachim Sim

  Can you use your super to buy your first home? Learn how the First Home Super Saver Scheme works, who may qualify and how much you may be able to access.

• Investment Property Can I Buy A First Investment Property With Only a 5% Deposit by Liam Whinfield

  Can you really buy an investment property with a 5% deposit? See the lender limits, LMI costs, property traps and when it may actually work.

• Ask an Expert Australian Business Your Invoices Could Unlock More Cashflow by Sonja Pfitz

  An asset in your balance sheet can unlock working capital to overcome your cash flow problems and improve business financial strength today.

• Ask an Expert What does a buyer's agent do, and when should you use one? by Broker Codex Editorial

  Buyer's agent Thomas Vu explains what a buyer's agent does, when professional representation is worth paying for, what it cannot promise, and how to choose one.

• SMSF Can I use my Super to buy a property to run my company from? by Michelle

  Can you use your super to buy an office, warehouse, factory or other premises for your business? Learn how buying commercial property through an SMSF can work.

• First Home Buyers How Much Deposit Do First Home Buyers Need in NSW/VIC? by Piyush Singh

  Wondering how much deposit you need to buy your first home in NSW/Victoria? Here's a simple breakdown of your options, from 2% to 20% and everything in between.

• First Home Buyers Buying Your First Home in Your 30s or 40s in Australia by Sandy Martinez

  Think you've left it too late to buy your first home in Australia? If you're in your 30s or 40s, you're far from alone. Here's what's actually possible.

• Self-Employed How Self-Employed Borrowers Can Become Lending-Ready by JB Fremy

  Self-employed in QLD? Learn what lenders look for from sole traders, contractors and micro-SMEs, and how to position your finances before you apply.

• Investment Property How Can You Fund an Investment Property Deposit, Saving 20%? by Liam Whinfield

  Think a 20% deposit is your only path? Explore seven practical ways to fund your next investment property, from LMI and savings to equity and family help.

• Guides What do Lenders See when a Locum Doctor Applies for a Loan? by Joshua

  Locum shifts look unstable on paper, but the income rarely causes the decline. A Sydney broker on the evidence lenders accept and what caps your borrowing.

• Industry News Are Property Prices Going to Fall in Orange NSW in 2026? by Amie Parker

  Orange NSW property prices have grown strongly, but national declines are spreading. Here is what the current data suggests for buyers and owners in Orange.

• Should I Consolidate Credit Card Debt Into My Mortgage? by Amie Parker

  Thinking about rolling credit card debt into your home loan when refinancing? Here is what to consider before you decide, including a real client example.

• Industry News How to check your offset is actually saving you money by Broker Codex Editorial

  ASIC found many mortgage offset accounts were not set up or linked correctly. Here is how to check yours is actually saving you interest.

• First Home Buyers Can I Buy a House as a Single Person in Australia? by Amie Parker

  Yes, you can buy a home as a single person. Learn what single-income buyers need to know about deposits, serviceability, and planning for one income.

• First Home Buyers Can I Make an Offer Without Pre-Approval in Australia? by Amie Parker

  Technically yes, but the risks are real. Find out what can go wrong when you make an offer on a house without pre-approval, and what to do instead.

• First Home Buyers How can a saver and spender budget for their first home? by Amie Parker

  One saver, one spender? Learn how to budget together, manage finances and build a first-home deposit without guilt, blame or giving up everything you enjoy.

• Guides What to Do If You Have a Bad Credit Score by Eshanee Hoffmann

  A bad credit score doesn't lock you out of a home loan forever. Here's what's dragging it down, how to check your file, and your real options in Australia.

• Life Transitions Single parent home buying schemes in Australia 2026 by Rielle Berglund

  Single parent home buying schemes in Australia, a large part of my week is spent with single parents working out whether home ownership is possible.

• SMSF The Clock Is Ticking... on SMSF Property Loans by Eshanee Hoffmann

  For nearly two decades, Aussies could borrow inside their super fund to buy residential property. From 10 August 2026, they can't. Here's what you need to know.

• Guides Low Doc vs Full Doc Home Loans: What's the Difference? by Broker Codex Editorial

  Not sure whether you need a low doc or full doc home loan? This plain-English guide explains how income verification works and what the trade-offs are.

• Investment Property So, you want to buy an investment property...huh?! by Eshanee Hoffmann

  More first home buyers are skipping the dream home and investing instead. Here's what to know before you do.

• First Home Buyers Keep the Coffee, Buy the House: How to Save a Deposit! by Eshanee Hoffmann

  Think you need a 20% deposit to buy your first home? Think again. Government schemes & smart strategies can cut your savings timeline from 8 years down to 2.

• Life Transitions Housing after separation: what 2026 data shows for women by Rielle Berglund

  2026 data on single parent home ownership, housing stress and government schemes in Australia, and how to use it when speaking to a mortgage broker.

• First Home Buyers How much deposit do you need to buy a home in Australia? by Broker Codex Editorial

  Do you really need a 20% deposit to buy your first home in Australia? Short answer: no. Here's what you actually need, how LMI works, and the schemes that help.