Banks can only recommend their own products. As mortgage brokers, we compare lending options across a broad panel of lenders to help you find a solution that’s suited to your circumstances, goals and future plans.

Our role isn’t just to help you secure a loan – it’s to help you make informed lending decisions that support your long-term financial goals.

In most residential lending scenarios, our services are provided at no cost to you because we’re paid by the lender once your loan settles.

If a service fee applies in a particular situation, we’ll discuss this with you upfront so there are no surprises.

Your borrowing capacity depends on factors such as your income, expenses, existing debts, deposit and the lender’s assessment criteria.

Online calculators provide a rough guide, but every lender assesses applications differently. We’ll help you understand your borrowing power and explore options that suit your goals.

Not at all.

A lower interest rate is only one piece of the puzzle.

A well-planned refinance can improve your loan structure, unlock equity, increase flexibility and position you for your next financial goal – whether that’s renovating, investing or simply getting your lending working harder for you.

At Petrie Finance Co., we believe refinancing isn’t just about saving money today – it’s about creating opportunities for tomorrow.

Absolutely.

Whether you’re purchasing your first investment property or expanding an established portfolio, we’ll help structure your lending to support long-term growth, improve cash flow and maximise flexibility for future opportunities.

Your circumstances, lender policies and interest rates change over time.

Regular loan reviews help ensure your lending continues to support your financial goals and that you’re not missing opportunities to improve your position.

We have access to more than 50 lenders, including Australia’s major banks, regional lenders and specialist providers.

Rather than recommending one particular lender, we focus on finding the solution that’s best suited to your individual circumstances and long-term goals.

The right option depends on your circumstances, budget and future plans.

We’ll explain the advantages and trade-offs of each so you can make an informed decision that’s right for you.

Yes.

We’ll guide you through every step of the process—from understanding government incentives and borrowing capacity through to selecting the right loan and managing your application.

Every application is different, but most home loans take between two and six weeks from application to settlement.

We’ll keep you informed throughout the process and manage communication with the lender so you always know what’s happening.

The documents you’ll need depend on your circumstances and the lender. Generally, you’ll need identification, evidence of income, details of your assets and liabilities, and information about your living expenses. If you’re self-employed, additional documents such as tax returns, financial statements or business activity statements may be required.

We’ll let you know exactly what’s needed upfront, so you’re not left chasing documents unnecessarily.

It depends on the property, lender and your circumstances. While a 20% deposit can help you avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), some lenders may allow eligible borrowers to purchase with a much smaller deposit.

Government home buyer schemes may also allow eligible buyers to purchase with a reduced deposit without paying LMI.

We can help you work out what deposit you actually need and which options may be available to you.

Yes. Sometimes your existing lender may offer a better rate or product without you needing to move your loan elsewhere.

However, staying with your current lender isn’t always the best option. We can review your existing loan against other available options and consider the interest rate, fees, features and overall cost before recommending whether staying or refinancing makes sense.

Lenders Mortgage Insurance, or LMI, is insurance that protects the lender, not the borrower, if a borrower is unable to repay their home loan.

It is commonly required when borrowing more than 80% of a property’s value, although lender policies and exemptions vary. LMI can sometimes be added to the loan rather than paid upfront.

There are also circumstances where eligible borrowers may be able to avoid LMI even with a smaller deposit.

Yes. There’s no requirement to buy a home to live in before purchasing an investment property.

For some people, buying an investment property first can be part of a broader property strategy. However, doing so may affect your eligibility for certain first home buyer grants, concessions or government schemes later.

Before making the decision, it’s worth understanding both your borrowing position now and how the purchase could affect your future plans.

As a general guide, it’s worth reviewing your home loan every 12–24 months, or whenever there is a significant change in your circumstances.

A review doesn’t automatically mean refinancing. Sometimes your existing loan is still competitive; other times there may be an opportunity to negotiate with your current lender, restructure your lending or consider another lender.

At Petrie Finance Co., we provide a loan “health check” every 12 months to ensure your loan continues to suit where you are now — not simply where you were when you first took it out.

Absolutely. Being casual or self-employed doesn’t automatically prevent you from getting a home loan.

Different lenders assess income differently. Depending on your circumstances, they may consider your employment history, consistency of earnings, tax returns, financial statements, BAS or other evidence of income.

Finding the right lender and presenting the application appropriately can make a significant difference.

Potentially, yes. If you already own property and have sufficient usable equity, you may be able to access some of that equity to help fund the deposit and purchasing costs for another property.

How much equity you can access will depend on your property’s value, existing debt, lender policy and your ability to service the additional borrowing.

Used strategically, equity can be a powerful tool for building a property portfolio — but the loan structure matters.

Yes. An SMSF may be able to borrow to purchase an eligible investment property through a specific structure known as a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA).

SMSF property lending has additional rules, costs and lending requirements, so it’s important to have the right structure in place before signing a contract.

This can include residential investment property as well as commercial property, and for business owners, purchasing commercial premises through an SMSF can be particularly worth exploring.

We work alongside your accountant and appropriately qualified financial and legal advisers to help ensure the structure meets SMSF requirements, while we manage the lending strategy and finance process.

Can I purchase commercial property through my SMSF?

Yes. Subject to SMSF rules, your fund may be able to purchase commercial property, including, in certain circumstances, premises that are leased to your own business.

Where borrowing is required, the purchase will generally need to be structured through a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA). SMSF property transactions have specific requirements around ownership, related parties, arm’s-length arrangements and the use of the property, so getting the structure right from the outset is important.

For business owners, purchasing commercial premises through an SMSF can be worth exploring as part of a broader property and retirement strategy. We work alongside your accountant and appropriately qualified financial and legal advisers, while managing the lending strategy and finance process.