First home buyers
A clearer path to your first home in WA
Understand your deposit, realistic price range, loan options and next steps before you commit to a property.
Buying a first home creates several decisions at once: what you can comfortably repay, how much cash you need beyond the deposit, which loan features matter and when to seek pre-approval. Loans West helps bring those decisions into one practical plan.
Luke can discuss your goals and financial position, explain suitable lending pathways and help prepare an application. Approval remains subject to lender policy, assessment and acceptable property security; government assistance has separate eligibility rules.
Start with the full financial picture
A useful starting point is not the largest possible loan. It is a purchase range that leaves room for living costs, ownership expenses and changes in repayments. Income, existing debts, regular spending, deposit history and credit conduct can all affect a lender's assessment.
We can model a working range, identify gaps in the information available and explain which assumptions could change the result. A lender makes the final lending decision.
- Deposit funds and the evidence showing where they came from
- Upfront buying costs and an appropriate cash buffer
- Current commitments, credit limits and ongoing living costs
- Repayment comfort if rates or household costs rise
Check current first-home support without relying on headlines
State and Australian Government programs may assist eligible buyers, but rules, property criteria and participating lenders can change. The right question is how a program applies to your intended purchase and whether the linked loan remains suitable overall.
We can help you identify questions to ask and direct you to current official criteria. Scheme eligibility is determined under the relevant program and does not guarantee home-loan approval.
Use pre-approval as a planning tool
Conditional pre-approval can help define a search range, but it is not unconditional approval and it does not confirm that every property will be acceptable security. Changes to your finances, lender policy or the property can alter the outcome.
Before signing an offer, understand the finance clause and get independent legal or settlement advice about the contract. Keep your broker updated when you find a property so the application and valuation steps can be coordinated.
Compare the loan, not just the advertised rate
Interest rate matters, but so do fees, repayment type, loan term, offset or redraw access, restrictions and the flexibility to adapt later. A low introductory rate may not represent the lowest total cost for your expected use of the loan.
Loans West can explain options available through its current accreditations and why a recommendation may suit the information you provide. Not every lender or product in the market is compared.
Prepare early for application and settlement
Complete, consistent documents reduce avoidable follow-up. We will outline what is needed for your employment or income type and help track the lending process. Your settlement agent or lawyer handles the legal transfer and can advise on contract and settlement matters.
Frequently asked questions
Questions, answered clearly
General answers are a starting point. Your lending options depend on your circumstances.
How much deposit does a first home buyer need?
There is no single deposit that suits every application. The amount can depend on the lender, property, loan-to-value ratio, genuine-savings rules, costs and any support program. A smaller deposit may involve additional conditions or costs. We can assess a working scenario, while the lender determines eligibility and approval.
Can I include WA buying costs in the home loan?
A lender generally sets a maximum amount it will lend against the property's accepted value. Whether your available funds cover the deposit and buying costs depends on that assessment and your circumstances. Plan for duty where applicable, settlement and inspection costs, lender fees and a buffer rather than assuming every cost can be borrowed.
Does pre-approval guarantee I can buy a property?
No. Pre-approval is usually conditional and time limited. Final approval can depend on updated financial information, lender policy, valuation and the specific property being acceptable security.
Can Loans West tell me if I qualify for a government scheme?
Loans West can discuss the published criteria and lending pathway, but the relevant government body and participating lender determine eligibility. Because rules change, use the linked official sources for current criteria.
Ready to take the next step?
Talk through your goals with Luke and leave with a clearer idea of what comes next.