6-Step Buyer Checklist + Readiness Score

Work through the essentials, then measure how ready you are to buy. Everything is laid out clearly, mobile friendly and print ready.

6-Step Buyer Checklist

1. How much can I borrow?

Your borrowing power depends on income, savings, credit history, existing debts and day-to-day expenses.

Estimate your borrowing power

2. What are the costs?
  • Deposit
  • Stamp duty and government fees
  • Legal / conveyancing
  • Building & pest, strata searches
  • Insurance and registration fees

Tools:
Stamp Duty Calculator · Buying & Selling Costs

3. Which loan is right for me?

We’ll compare suitable loans and explain features (offset, redraw, fees, flexibility) so your structure matches your goals.

Compare loan types

4. Get pre-approval

Pre-approval clarifies your budget and puts you in a stronger position when you make an offer.

Start your pre-approval

5. Search for a property
  • Price trends, days on market, area growth
  • Schools, transport, lifestyle fit
  • Condition: repairs, layout, heating/cooling
6. The buying process
  1. Make an offer — auction or private sale deposit
  2. Review contract — conditional vs unconditional
  3. Finalise loan — valuation, formal approval, loan docs
  4. Settlement — funds transfer and keys

Buyer Readiness Score

1. Do you know your borrowing power?

2. Have you calculated all purchase-related costs?

3. Do you know which type of loan suits you?

4. Have you received pre-approval?

5. Are you actively searching with clear criteria?

6. Do you understand the full buying process?

Next steps

Want help with the next step?

Speak with a broker

First-home buyer?

Explore grant eligibility, low-deposit options and ways to avoid LMI.

First-home buyer hub

Self-employed or a professional?

We tailor policies for complex income and offer profession-specific benefits where available.

Guides, checklists and calculators

Tools to save time, avoid mistakes and move from curiosity to approval with confidence.

Guides

Checklists

Calculators

Calculator Mortgage toolkit preview
Mortgage Toolkit

A full set of calculators for repayments, borrowing power, savings goals and more.

Open → All-in-one
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