Everything people actually ask us.

We work out what you can borrow, compare loans across more than 75 lenders, recommend one that fits your situation, prepare and lodge the application, and manage it through to settlement. Then we review it annually. In short: we do the shopping and the paperwork.

Nothing. The lender pays us a commission when your loan settles, which doesn't change your rate. The exact amount is disclosed to you in writing before you apply, and we're bound by a Best Interests Duty regardless of what any lender pays.

We're not owned by a bank. We access more than 75 lenders through an aggregator, and we're bound by a legal Best Interests Duty. No broker has every lender in Australia - anyone claiming otherwise is stretching it - but our panel covers the large majority of the market.

Salib and Co Pty Ltd is an authorised credit representative (number 581227) under Australian Credit Licence 486112, held by Purple Circle Financial Services Pty Ltd, and is regulated by ASIC. Maurice Salib (M-363535) and Josh Hindrum (M-363513) are members of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) and follow its Code of Practice. We're also a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), membership number 124864, so if something goes wrong you have free, independent recourse.

You can, and sometimes it works out fine. But your bank sees one product range and acts for itself. We see the market and are legally obliged to act for you. There's an honest comparison of the two on our how it works page.

No. We're online only and work with clients Australia-wide. Everything happens by phone, video and secure digital signing.

Less than most people think. 20% avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance, but plenty of lenders accept 10%, many accept 5%, and some government schemes allow 5% with no LMI at all. See our guide to deposits.

It depends on income, expenses, existing debts and dependants - and lenders differ enormously, sometimes by more than $200,000 on identical paperwork. Our calculator gives you a rough sense; a conversation gives you a real number.

No. Conversations, comparisons and estimates involve no credit enquiry whatsoever. A mark only appears if you decide to formally apply, and only with your agreement.

More than almost anything else. Lenders assess the full limit as though it were spent. A $20,000 card you never use can cost you tens of thousands in borrowing capacity. Reducing it is often the quickest win available.

It's more common than you'd think and it isn't the end. Lenders have very different policies on casual income, self-employment, credit history and debt. A no from one is not a no from the market - but it's worth understanding why before applying again.

Different rather than harder. Some lenders want two years of tax returns; others will work with one year, or with accountant-prepared figures. Knowing which door to knock on is most of the job.

Roughly one to two weeks to pre-approval, then one to three weeks from application to formal approval, then settlement per your contract. A refinance commonly settles in two to four weeks. Every file differs.

Usually photo ID, recent payslips, three to six months of bank statements and details of existing debts. Self-employed applicants generally need two years of tax returns and financials. We give you one clear list up front.

Pre-approval is the lender indicating what they'd lend, subject to conditions and a suitable property. Formal approval comes after you've had an offer accepted and the lender has valued that specific property. Pre-approval lets you bid; formal approval lets you settle.

Please do. Some of our most useful conversations are with people six or twelve months out who want to know what to tidy up first. No cost, no obligation.

We review your rate annually and let you know before any fixed term ends. If your circumstances change - a baby, a new job, a renovation - ring us. That's included.

Tell us first, and we'll try to fix it - there's a formal process set out on our complaints page. If we can't resolve it, you can take it to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority free of charge, and their decision binds us.

Tell us immediately, even if it feels awkward. A job change, a new debt or a change of plan can all affect an application, and lenders take a dim view of finding out late. It's almost always manageable if we know early.

It happens. Options usually include a larger deposit, renegotiating the price, challenging the valuation with evidence, or trying a lender who uses a different valuer. We'll walk you through the choices rather than just relaying the bad news.