The Elate Lending Resource Library
Plain-English guides for first home buyers and property investors.
No jargon. No fluff. Just the stuff you actually need to make confident decisions about property and lending, written by someone who's been through it himself.
Can you actually get a home loan while you're on probation in a new job?
Borrowing capacity is a lender's estimate of how much you can comfortably repay.
It's driven by your income, your expenses, your existing debts, and a safety buffer.
Things you barely think about, credit card limits, buy-now-pay-later, can quietly reduce it.
Different lenders calculate it differently, so the same person can get different numbers.
Small changes before you apply can make a real difference to what you can borrow.
How the negative gearing changes affect rentvestors specifically
Rentvestors sit in a unique spot, they rent their home and own an investment property.
The 2026 Budget proposed limiting negative gearing on established properties (not yet law).
Existing investment properties are protected; the change targets future established purchases.
For rentvestors, cash flow and property choice now matter more than the tax benefit.
Your specific impact depends on your situation, and the tax side belongs with your accountant.
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, explained
The scheme lets eligible first home buyers purchase with as little as a 5% deposit.
Since October 2025 it has unlimited places, no income caps, and higher property price caps.
It can help eligible buyers skip Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can save a chunk of money.
Buying with a smaller deposit means borrowing more, so it's worth understanding the trade-off.
Whether it's a fit depends entirely on your situation. That's what a chat with a broker is for.
Offset vs Redraw: Which One Actually Helps First Home Buyers?
An offset account is a separate account linked to your loan. The balance reduces the interest you're charged, and the money stays instantly accessible.
Redraw puts extra repayments straight onto your loan balance, which you can request back later, though access isn't always instant.
Most first home buyers do better with an offset, purely for the flexibility and instant access.
Redraw can suit you if you know you're tempted to dip into easy savings. The bit of friction actually helps.
If the property might become an investment later, offset is generally the cleaner structure for tax purposes.
How borrowing capacity is actually calculated (and what quietly reduces yours)
Borrowing capacity is a lender's estimate of how much you can comfortably repay.
It's driven by your income, your expenses, your existing debts, and a safety buffer.
Things you barely think about, credit card limits, buy-now-pay-later, can quietly reduce it.
Different lenders calculate it differently, so the same person can get different numbers.
Small changes before you apply can make a real difference to what you can borrow.
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