Your first home is a big step — and you don’t have to work it out alone. We’ll walk you through your options, the grants you may qualify for, and what happens next.
No obligation – Usually replies within one business day
Taking the leap into home ownership is a huge milestone — and one that can feel a little intimidating. With so many options, steps, and new terms flying around, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
That’s where we come in.
At Valley Finance, we specialise in helping first home buyers across the Illawarra get their foot in the door. Whether you’re just starting to look at properties or you’re ready to apply for pre-approval, we’ll guide you every step of the way — making the process simple, stress-free, and tailored to your unique situation.
We support you through the entire process, from “Can I even afford to buy?” all the way to settlement day (and beyond). Here’s what that looks like:
We’ll help you figure out your borrowing power and what repayments might look like based on your income, savings, and goals.
Pre-approval gives you the confidence to house hunt knowing exactly what you can afford. We’ll get you pre-approved quickly so you’re ready to make offers when the right property comes along.
As a first home buyer in NSW, you may be eligible for a range of grants and schemes, including:
• 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly the First Home Guarantee) – buy with a 5% deposit and no LMI
• Help to Buy Scheme – the government co-buys up to 30–40% of the home, so you can start with as little as 2%
• Stamp Duty concessions or exemptions
• First Home Owner Grant (New Homes)
We’ll explain what you qualify for and help you apply, so you don’t miss out on thousands in potential savings.
Fixed or variable? Offset or redraw? Principal & interest or interest only? We’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each, and tailor a solution to your financial goals.
We handle the admin and liaise with the lender, your solicitor or conveyancer, and real estate agent to make sure everything goes smoothly. You won’t have to chase a thing.
We’re not a big franchise, we’re a local family-run business who genuinely cares. Based on the NSW South Coast, we know the local property market, and we understand the needs of first home buyers in our community.
We’re here to answer your questions (big or small), explain things in clear simple terms, and make sure you feel confident at every stage.
Not necessarily. With government support schemes or lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI), many buyers can get started with as little as 5% deposit. We’ll help you work out what’s possible.
Many states offer First Home Owner Grants (FHOG) and stamp duty concessions to help reduce upfront costs. There are also national schemes like the 5% Deposit Scheme, which lets eligible buyers purchase with a 5% deposit and no LMI, and the Help to Buy Scheme, where the government contributes part of the purchase price in exchange for a share of the home.
Help to Buy is a federal shared-equity scheme. The government contributes up to 30% of the price of an existing home, or 40% of a new build, and you buy the rest with a deposit of as little as 2% and no LMI. Your repayments are only on your share of the loan. You pay the government’s share back when you sell or refinance, or earlier in instalments if you choose. Income caps and property price caps apply, and only a handful of lenders offer it, so talk to us before you start looking.
Apart from the deposit, consider stamp duty, legal fees, building and pest inspections, lender fees, and moving costs.
Pre-approval is an indication from a lender on how much you could borrow based on initial information. Final approval happens after full application and property valuation.
LMI is insurance that protects the lender if you default on your loan. It usually applies if your deposit is less than 20%. LMI is a one-off payment and can be paid either upfront or added to your loan.
Stamp duty is a government tax on property purchases. Many states offer exemptions or discounts for first home buyers, depending on the property value.
One conversation, no obligation, let’s find the right loan together.
