FIRST HOME BUYERS
Buying your first home starts with knowing what is possible.
Understand your borrowing position, upfront costs and available pathways with personal guidance from Cornell Mortgages.
First Home Buyer Readiness Check
Answer five quick questions to understand what you may need to prepare before buying.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Start with the right information.
Understand your borrowing capacity
Your borrowing position depends on your income, expenses, commitments and lender policy. We explain the key factors and help you prepare for the next step.
Plan for the real cost of buying
Your deposit is only part of the cost. We help you consider stamp duty, conveyancing, inspections and lender fees that affect the total cash you need.
Understand grants and first-home-buyer schemes
Government grants, guarantees or shared-equity programs can help with your purchase. We explain which current programs are relevant to you and what needs to be verified.
Eligibility criteria and program availability may change. Confirmation is required before relying on any scheme.
WHY WORK WITH US
A clearer view of your options.
No question is too basic
We explain deposits, pre-approval and lender requirements clearly, wherever you are in the process.
Understand your buying position
We consider your deposit, income, commitments, upfront costs and relevant lender requirements.
Support through to settlement
We manage the lending process, coordinate with the relevant parties and keep you informed as your application progresses.
Our Best Interests Duty
When providing credit assistance, we are legally required to act in your best interests and prioritise your interests where a conflict exists. Any recommendation must be based on your circumstances, objectives and needs.
YOUR PATH TO A FIRST HOME
Know what happens next.
Initial assessment
Review your borrowing capacity and deposit.
Pre-approval
Secure conditional funding before you shop.
Property search
Find a home within your confirmed budget.
Formal approval
Lender values the property and issues final approval.
Settlement
Funds are transferred and you get the keys.
BORROWING CAPACITY CALCULATOR
What could your income and deposit allow you to buy?
Use our indicative borrowing-capacity calculator to explore a potential borrowing range and understand the factors that influence the result.
Indicative estimate only. This is not loan approval or a lender recommendation.
Before you begin, it helps to understand:
Deposit
How much you have saved and whether additional purchase costs must be covered.
Borrowing capacity
How lenders may assess your income, expenses, debts and credit limits.
Government assistance
Whether current grants, guarantee schemes or shared-equity programs may apply.
Property costs
Stamp duty, legal costs, inspections, lender costs and ongoing ownership expenses.
First-home buyer FAQs
Please note: Eligibility, lender policy and government program rules can change.