Pre‑Approval Checklist for First‑Time Buyers

Published: 15 January 2025

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone. Before you start visiting open houses, it’s important to know how much you can borrow. A pre‑approval gives you a clear budget and confidence when making offers. Here’s a checklist to help you prepare:

1. Assess your finances: Determine your income, expenses and savings. Our borrowing capacity calculator can provide a rough estimate.
2. Check your credit history: Request a free credit report and address any issues before applying.
3. Save for a deposit: Most lenders require at least 5–20 % deposit. A larger deposit can improve your chances.
4. Gather documentation: Have recent payslips, tax returns, ID documents and bank statements ready.
5. Speak to a broker: Contact us to discuss your goals and we’ll identify lenders and products suited to you.
6. Submit your application: We’ll prepare and lodge the application and liaise with the lender on your behalf.

Most pre‑approvals are valid for up to three months. Keep your documents current and inform your broker if your circumstances change so your approval remains valid.

This information is general in nature and doesn’t constitute financial advice. For personalised guidance, book a consultation.

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