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Buying Your First Home — The Book for First Home Buyers Who Want to Actually Understand the Process

Buying Your First Home — The Book for First Home Buyers Who Want to Actually Understand the Process

A calm, clear guide to buying your first home in Australia. 17 chapters covering borrowing, deposits, loans, offers, and settlement. Now on Amazon.

Sep 6, 2026

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1 min read

What to Expect

Two Investors, One Cut-Off Date: What the Negative Gearing Change Does to a Purchase

Two Investors, One Cut-Off Date: What the Negative Gearing Change Does to a Purchase

The negative gearing reform is now law. A case study of two investors either side of the 12 May 2026 cut-off, what changes in cash flow, and how it flows through to serviceability.

Aug 31, 2026

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3 min read

Current Conditions

How lenders calculate usable equity — and why it's less than you think

Valuations

How lenders calculate usable equity — and why it's less than you think

Total equity and usable equity are not the same number. This guide explains how the 80% LVR limit works, how lenders calculate the equity you can actually access, and why serviceability is a separate step that matters just as much.

Apr 15, 2026

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5 min read

Why Rising Property Values Don't Increase Your Borrowing Capacity

Why Rising Property Values Don't Increase Your Borrowing Capacity

Regional property values have risen sharply across Australia. But borrowing capacity is assessed on income and serviceability — not on what the market is doing. Here's what that means in practice.

Apr 15, 2026

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4 min read

Serviceability & Borrowing Power

Why Waiting to Refinance Can Close the Window — Even When Nothing Has Changed

Why Waiting to Refinance Can Close the Window — Even When Nothing Has Changed

How rising assessment rates affect serviceability for variable rate borrowers — and why timing a review matters more than most people realise

Apr 15, 2026

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6 min read

Serviceability & Borrowing Power

Most Popular

How lenders calculate usable equity — and why it's less than you think

How lenders calculate usable equity — and why it's less than you think

Total equity and usable equity are not the same number. This guide explains how the 80% LVR limit works, how lenders calculate the equity you can actually access, and why serviceability is a separate step that matters just as much.

Apr 15, 2026

•

5 min read

Why Rising Property Values Don't Increase Your Borrowing Capacity

Why Rising Property Values Don't Increase Your Borrowing Capacity

Regional property values have risen sharply across Australia. But borrowing capacity is assessed on income and serviceability — not on what the market is doing. Here's what that means in practice.

Apr 15, 2026

•

4 min read

APRA DTI Cap Explained: What It Means for Property Investors in 2026

APRA DTI Cap Explained: What It Means for Property Investors in 2026

The APRA DTI cap limits lenders on high-ratio mortgages — and the effect on property investors is showing up in how applications are handled, not just whether they're approved. Here's what's actually happening.

Apr 15, 2026

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4 min read

Latest Posts

Buying Your First Home — The Book for First Home Buyers Who Want to Actually Understand the Process

A calm, clear guide to buying your first home in Australia. 17 chapters covering borrowing, deposits, loans, offers, and settlement. Now on Amazon.

Sep 6, 2026

•

1 min read

Josh Stewart
Josh Stewart
Buying Your First Home — The Book for First Home Buyers Who Want to Actually Understand the Process

Two Investors, One Cut-Off Date: What the Negative Gearing Change Does to a Purchase

The negative gearing reform is now law. A case study of two investors either side of the 12 May 2026 cut-off, what changes in cash flow, and how it flows through to serviceability.

Aug 31, 2026

•

3 min read

Josh Stewart
Josh Stewart
Two Investors, One Cut-Off Date: What the Negative Gearing Change Does to a Purchase

Three Months of Falling Values in Newcastle: What Actually Changes for Owners

Newcastle Home Values Fall Again: What It Means for Your Loan

Aug 30, 2026

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3 min read

Josh Stewart
Josh Stewart
Three Months of Falling Values in Newcastle: What Actually Changes for Owners

Offset and Redraw: How to Actually Use Them to Pay Less Interest

Offset and redraw accounts can save Australian borrowers tens of thousands in interest over the life of a loan — but only when set up and used properly. Here's what actually matters.

Apr 28, 2026

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3 min read

Josh Stewart
Josh Stewart
Offset and Redraw: How to Actually Use Them to Pay Less Interest

What the fixed rate repricing wave means for borrowers mid-process

Fixed rates have moved significantly since early April 2025, with over 38 lenders repricing upward. Here's what that shift means for borrowers working from an earlier quote — and why the assessment rate at application is what matters.

Apr 21, 2026

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3 min read

Josh Stewart
Josh Stewart
What the fixed rate repricing wave means for borrowers mid-process

Lending Notes

Practical notes from Value Lending on how lending decisions are made, how loans are assessed, and what to expect as conditions change.


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What to Expect

Current Conditions

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Valuations

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Lending Notes

Practical notes from Value Lending on how lending decisions are made, how loans are assessed, and what to expect as conditions change.

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