Guides & straight answers
Plain-English lending guides from the MakeMyLoan team.
The sole purpose test, related-party rules, Moneysmart's risk warnings and the document checklist SMSF lenders expect — plus when buying in super doesn't fit.
The documents Australian lenders ask for on an investment property loan: income, rental evidence, contracts, equity proof and gaps that delay approval.
Australia's negative gearing rules changed in 2026. What the new quarantining, grandfathering and CGT changes may mean for investment loan decisions.
How to use home equity as the deposit on an investment property: usable equity, top-ups vs separate loans vs cross-collateralisation, valuations and risks.
When a personal loan suits a renovation, when a home-loan top-up or construction loan fits better, and how the cost and term trade-off really works.
How a chattel mortgage works for Australian business vehicles — ownership from day one, PPSR, balloons, GST basics, low-doc options and end-of-term choices.
From 10 August 2026 SMSFs can't start new residential LRBAs. What's grandfathered, what stays open for commercial borrowing, and what trustees should do next.
Low-doc business loans use BAS, bank statements or an accountant's letter instead of full financials. Who they suit, what lenders still verify, and trade-offs.
Thinking about a personal loan for travel? How lenders assess holiday loans, the real cost of borrowing versus saving first, alternatives and watch-outs.
How Australian lenders assess rideshare income, vehicle age limits and insurance for Uber drivers — consumer loan vs chattel mortgage, and mistakes to avoid.
How investment property loans work in Australia: deposits and equity, how lenders shade rental income, serviceability buffers, exposure limits and structure.
How debt consolidation personal loans work, the genuine benefits, the re-drawn-card trap, and the alternatives — including free help if you're struggling.
Personal car loan or business car finance? How NCCP rules, assessment, chattel mortgages, leases, GST and balloon payments differ — and which suits whom.
Inside commercial credit assessment — income vs comparable-sales valuations, tenancy profiles, interest cover, LVR by asset type, reviews and covenants.
How Australian lenders assess cash-flow business loans — trading history, bank statements, guarantees — plus product shapes, true costs and the traps to avoid.
How interest-only investment loans work in Australia: cash-flow benefits, the repayment step-up when the IO period ends, and why IO can cut borrowing power.
Rent vs buy, how owner-occupier commercial loans are assessed, deposits, GST and going concern, buying entity options including SMSF, and settlement timelines.
Lease-doc commercial loans are serviced by the property's rent alone. What lenders scrutinise — lease term, tenant quality, interest cover — and the risks.
What happens between unconditional loan approval and getting the keys: loan documents, conveyancing, e-settlement, final inspection and common delays.
Inside a lender's serviceability assessment: net income, income shading, HECS, credit card limits, expense verification and the buffer rate explained.
Yes, you can get a home loan on probation — lender policies vary. What matters: employment continuity, your role type, and the documents that strengthen it.
How guarantor home loans work in Australia, the real risks for parents guaranteeing a loan, how the guarantee is released and the alternatives to consider.
A practical 3-6 month preparation plan for home loan approval: close unused cards, clean bank statements, stabilise employment and build genuine savings.
How credit scores work in Australia, what actually moves them, how lenders really use them, and how to check and fix your credit file for free.
Low-doc and alt-doc lending explained for business borrowers — what replaces full financials, the pricing trade-offs, and who it genuinely suits.
How stamp duty (transfer duty) works in Australia: state-based rates, when it's payable, first home buyer concessions, and how to estimate your bill.
Your borrowing power result is an estimate, not an approval. What moves the number up or down, and the steps from calculator to real lender assessment.
Existing borrowers often pay more than new customers at the same lender. How the loyalty tax works, how to run a repricing request, and what evidence helps.
How lenders treat HELP debt, why compulsory repayments cut borrowing capacity, and when paying it out before a home loan helps — or hurts your deposit.
Secured vs unsecured car loans, vehicle age limits, balloon payments and comparison rates explained — plus why pre-approval before the dealership matters.
How bridging loans work — peak debt, end debt, capitalised interest and bridging periods — plus the risk of a slow sale and the alternatives.
The NSW First Home Owner Grant, transfer duty exemptions and federal Home Guarantee Scheme explained — what each covers, who qualifies and how to stack them.
Victoria's First Home Owner Grant, stamp duty exemption and concession bands, regional and off-the-plan nuances, and how federal schemes stack on top.
What LVR means, how the 80% threshold triggers LMI, why valuations can differ from purchase price, and how equity changes your loan-to-value ratio.
Queensland's First Home Owner Grant, first home and vacant land transfer duty concessions, residence rules and how federal schemes work alongside them.
Cashback offers can be genuine value or an expensive distraction. How to weigh upfront cash against the rate you'll pay, clawback conditions and churn risk.
How lenders assess self-employed income: full-doc vs alt-doc, 1 vs 2 years of financials, add-backs, trust structures and why lodging on time matters.
Western Australia's First Home Owner Grant, first home owner duty rate, north-south value cap differences, Keystart and federal schemes — explained simply.
When a fixed rate expires your loan rolls to the revert rate — often much higher. How to time your review and choose between re-fixing, variable or refinancing.
What lenders mortgage insurance is, who it really protects, how premiums are priced in LVR bands, profession waivers and the family guarantee alternative.
How to buy a home with a 5-10% deposit in Australia: paying LMI, using a guarantor, the federal Home Guarantee Scheme and genuine savings rules explained.
How dealership finance desks really work, why rates are flexible at the desk, what 0% finance fine print hides, and how pre-approval changes the negotiation.
How construction loans work in Australia: progress payments, fixed-price building contracts, valuations, interest-only repayments and owner-builder hurdles.
How limited recourse borrowing works — the bare trust structure, what an SMSF can and can't do, liquidity rules, and why specialist advice is essential.
How commercial property finance differs from residential — owner-occupier vs investment, typical LVR ranges, lease-doc vs full-doc, valuations and GST basics.
Working capital, term loans, lines of credit and invoice finance compared — plus what lenders assess and how to prepare a lendable application.
Chattel mortgage vs finance lease vs rental explained in plain English for Australian businesses — ownership, tax basics, low-doc options and how to choose.
Rolling personal loans, car loans and cards into your mortgage can ease cash flow — or turn short-term debt into 30 years of interest. The balanced picture.
Common home loan application mistakes — multiple lender applications, job changes, undisclosed debts, pre-settlement spending — and how to avoid each.
Every document lenders ask for in a home loan application — PAYG and self-employed checklists, purchase vs refinance extras, and why 90-day statements matter.