Your Local Mortgage Broker Elsternwick

Our job is to take the guesswork out of borrowing. We work out how much you can comfortably borrow, then search a panel of more than 60 lenders for loans that match your needs, whether that is a low rate, an offset account or flexibility for a future renovation. We prepare the application, manage communication with the lender and coordinate with your conveyancer. We know Elsternwick's mix of apartments and period homes, which helps when lenders assess older houses or units near the station.

Elsternwick has a mix of houses, townhouses and apartments, and the upfront costs vary with the type you buy. For any purchase, allow for stamp duty, which depends on the price and on any first home buyer exemption or concession, plus conveyancing or legal fees and possible lender application or valuation fees. For an apartment or townhouse, review the owners corporation certificate for fees and special levies. For a house, a building and pest inspection is a sensible extra. Lenders mortgage insurance may apply with a deposit under 20%, unless a scheme such as the federal Home Guarantee Scheme suits you. We go through these costs with you before you commit.

Elsternwick has a station in the middle of its shopping village, a tram along Glen Huntly Road, and everyday shopping, dining and entertainment within walking distance, including the Classic Cinema. Its housing mix of apartments, townhouses and period houses means buyers at different stages can find something that fits, and independent schools such as Wesley College's Elsternwick campus and Leibler Yavneh College are in the suburb. As always, check the specific property, planning controls and price before you commit.

Victorian and Edwardian homes are a large part of Elsternwick's appeal, but they need careful checks. Get a thorough building and pest inspection, since older homes can need restumping, rewiring or roof work. Confirm with the City of Glen Eira whether a heritage overlay applies, as this can affect renovation or extension plans. If you intend to renovate soon after buying, tell us early so we can choose a loan that allows redraw, an offset or a later top-up, or a construction loan for larger works.

Start with your equity. Once we know the likely value of your current apartment and what you owe, we can work out your budget for a house. You can sell first, buy first with a bridging loan, or keep the apartment as an investment and borrow against it. Each choice affects your repayments, tax position and timing differently. We also factor in stamp duty and moving costs, which add up on a family home, so your budget is realistic before you start inspecting.

Not at all. Working with EverLend means one point of contact instead of several bank appointments. We can meet at our St Kilda office, which is a short tram or train trip away, or speak by phone or video. You upload documents securely and we handle the application and follow-up with the lender. When it is time to sign, we explain the loan documents and make sure you understand what you are agreeing to. You can do the whole process without setting foot in a branch.