First Home Buyers.
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.
What we help you with.
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:
1. Understanding how much you can borrow
We’ll help you figure out your borrowing power and what repayments might look like based on your income, savings, and goals.
2. Getting pre-approval
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.
3. Accessing government schemes
As a first home buyer in NSW, you may be eligible for a range of grants and schemes, including:
First Home Guarantee (FHBG)
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.
4. Comparing lenders
Not all home loans are created equal. We compare policies, rates, fees, and flexibility across a wide range of banks and lenders to find your best fit, not just the lowest advertised rate.
5. Choosing the right loan structure
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.
6. Paperwork and settlement support
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.
Why choose Valley Finance?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions.
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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.
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Many states offer First Home Owner Grants (FHOG) and stamp duty concessions to help reduce upfront costs. There are also national schemes like the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) that allow eligible buyers to purchase with a smaller deposit.
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Apart from the deposit, consider stamp duty, legal fees, building and pest inspections, lender fees, and moving costs.
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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.
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LMI is insurance that protects the lender if you default on your loan. It usually applies if your deposit is less than 20%. LMI can paid upfront or added to your loan and is a one off payment.
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Stamp duty is a government tax on property purchases. Many states offer exemptions or discounts for first home buyers, depending on the property value.
