Keystone Home Loans

First Home Buyer Loans

Work directly with Phillip, comparing home loans from 50+ lenders.

No fee. No obligation.

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5.0 Stars Based on 48 user reviews

Light-filled living room in a first home

Do you need a mortgage broker?

You might be wondering if you need a broker at all. Honest answer: if you're buying your first home in Sydney, having someone who does this every day usually saves you money, stress, and a few wrong turns.

A first home buyer mortgage broker compares loans across a panel of lenders, works out what you can actually borrow, and gets the paperwork right the first time, whether you're buying in Sydney or elsewhere in New South Wales. We also explain the bits that catch first home buyers out. LVR (loan-to-value ratio), LMI (lenders mortgage insurance), and how an offset account changes the maths over the life of the loan.

In most cases it costs you nothing. We're paid by the lender when your loan settles, similar to how bank staff get paid. If a fee applies, we'll tell you upfront.

You deal directly with Phillip Bui, our Founder and Principal Mortgage Broker and a Full Member of the MFAA. We compare 50+ lenders, and Phillip is a Credit Representative authorised under an Australian Credit Licence.

Myth Busting

Clearing up first home buyer misconceptions

Plenty of first home buyers rule themselves out too early. Here's what's actually true, and what to check before you decide you can't buy yet.

  • Myth

    “You need a 20% deposit to buy.”

    Fact

    Not required. 5% gets many buyers in, often without LMI.

  • Myth

    “Mortgage brokers charge you a fee.”

    Fact

    Brokers are free for most buyers. The lender pays us at settlement.

  • Myth

    “Your own bank will give you the best deal.”

    Fact

    Your bank isn't your only option. We compare 50+ lenders to find the better deal.

  • Myth

    “You need a perfect credit history.”

    Fact

    Consistency matters more. Recent history counts more than old slip-ups.

  • Myth

    “Pre-approval means your loan is approved.”

    Fact

    Pre-approval isn't final approval. Valuation and final checks still need to clear.

  • Not sure about your eligibility?

    A free, no-obligation call tells you where you stand: your deposit, your borrowing power and the schemes you may qualify for.

Grants And Schemes You May Qualify For

First home buyers may have three main entitlements working in their favour. What applies depends on your state, the property and your circumstances.

SchemeWhat You GetWho QualifiesWhere To Check
First Home Owner Grant (NSW)A one-off grant towards a new home, if you're eligibleAustralian citizens/PRs buying or building a new home to live in; price caps applyRevenue NSW
Home Guarantee SchemeBuy with a 5% deposit (plus buying costs) without paying LMI, as the government guarantees part of the loanEligible first home buyers; property price caps and other criteria applyHousing Australia
First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Concessions (NSW)Reduced or no transfer duty, depending on the property valueEligible first home buyers who will live in the property; value thresholds applyRevenue NSW

Want the exact number for your purchase? Use our stamp duty calculator to estimate your transfer duty in minutes. If you think you might qualify for something beyond the standard concession, see how to avoid stamp duty.

How we get your first loan approved

Our Process

Five calm steps from first call to pre-approval. Nothing rushed, nothing skipped.

Free consultation

You and Phillip talk through your goal, your income and debts, your deposit, and your timeline. By the end, you'll know what's realistic to spend, which government grants and concessions may apply and...

Documents

You send us payslips, ID, bank statements, and any debt details. If something's missing, we'll let you know exactly what's needed. This is where most of the back-and-forth happens, which keeps the res...

Credit assessment

We do a proper credit assessment before we approach any lender. We review your situation against lender credit policies, then match your application to lenders whose policies suit you, at the rate and...

Compare 50+ lenders

We compare loans across more than fifty lenders, from Australia's leading banks to a wide range of other lenders. We look at rate, fees, offset features, and how the lender treats your specific income...

Testimonials

See what clients say about our service

Google

5.0 Stars

Based on 48 user reviews

Darren W.

Darren W.

“Refinanced through our mortgage broker and couldn’t be happier. Phillip secured us a great interest rate, helped consolidate our loans, and ended up saving us a heap of money each month. Everything was explained clearly and the process was smooth from start to finish. Highly recommend.”

Michael D.

Michael D.

“Phillip was amazing. Not only did he help us find the loan we desired, he was proactive with our conveyancer, the bank and all other parties involved to make sure we had our i's and t's, ticked and crossed. As a first home buyer this was invaluable. Thankyou Phillip for helping us with our first home.”

Julie H.

Julie H.

“Phillip was great to work with! Helped us with refinancing and obtaining the best rate in the market. He was very efficient and made the whole process very easy. Would recommend him to anyone looking for a mortgage broker.”

Frequently Asked, Clearly Answered

Five things, mostly:

Income and expenses. Lenders want to see you can comfortably repay the loan, so they look at your salary plus what you spend each month with a focus on the last 3 months.

Deposit. Usually 5 to 20% of the property price. A bigger deposit opens up more loan options and can avoid LMI.

Existing debts. Personal loans, car loans, and credit card limits all count, even if the cards are empty.

Credit history. It doesn't need to be perfect. Lenders want to see you've paid off debts consistently.

Employment stability. Time in your current job, or a steady self-employed income, both work.

If you're not sure where you stand, that's exactly what a free, no-obligation consultation is for.

For many first home buyers, 5% saved (plus extra for buying costs) is enough to start the conversation. Under the Australian Government's Home Guarantee Scheme, eligible buyers can get in with 5% without paying LMI. A 10 to 20% deposit gives you access to more lenders and sharper rates, but it's not the only path. A deposit of 20% or more generally means no LMI.

Nothing, in almost all cases. The lender pays us a commission when your loan settles. One exception. If your situation is genuinely complex and takes significantly more time. We'll tell you upfront if it applies.

More than fifty, from Australia's leading banks to a wide range of other lenders, so we can look beyond your own bank for the loan that suits you.

We start by understanding your goals and financial situation, then match you with lenders whose credit policies suit your circumstances. We prepare your application carefully, manage the paperwork and keep you informed every step of the way, from application to settlement.

It depends on how quickly you find a property. The loan side usually takes a few weeks from full application to settlement, and it can be faster if you’re organised.

Possibly, under the Australian Government's Home Guarantee Scheme, if you meet the eligibility criteria. Phillip checks this with you and explains how it works.

First home buyer grants and stamp duty concessions depend on your state and circumstances. In NSW they are administered by Revenue NSW. The Australian Government's Home Guarantee Scheme may also help you buy with a smaller deposit. Phillip will check what you are eligible for.

Didn’t find your answer?

Work with Phillip, your Sydney mortgage broker

He’s here to guide you personally through every step, comparing 50+ lenders so your loan process is smooth and stress-free.