5.0 from 25 Reviews
At Arche Finance, we work with first home buyers every day, and we know how much is riding on getting this right. There is a lot of information out there, a lot of forms to fill in, and a lot of decisions to make before you even get to the fun part of picking a place you love. We are here to help you make sense of it all, one step at a time.
Understanding Your Options
One of the first things we do with first home buyers is sit down and talk through the home loan options available to them. Whether you are looking at a fixed interest rate for the certainty of knowing exactly what your repayments will be, or a variable interest rate that gives you more flexibility, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some buyers also benefit from features like an offset account, which can reduce the interest you pay over time, or a redraw facility that lets you access extra repayments you have made. Arche Finance will walk you through how these features work in plain language so you can decide what suits your situation.
Deposits, Grants and Government Support
Saving a deposit is one of the biggest hurdles for first home buyers, but there are more options available than many people realise. The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, now known as the Home Guarantee Scheme, allows eligible buyers to purchase a property with as little as a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). There is also the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee for those buying in regional areas. These low deposit options can make a real difference to how soon you are able to buy.
First home owner grants (FHOG) are another form of support worth understanding. Depending on your state or territory, you may be eligible for a cash grant when buying or building your first home. On top of that, first home buyer stamp duty concessions can significantly reduce the upfront costs of purchasing a property. First home buyer eligibility for these schemes depends on factors like the purchase price, whether the property is new or established, and your income. Arche Finance can help you understand what you may qualify for and how to factor it into your first home buyer budget.
Another option worth knowing about is the First Home Super Saver Scheme, which allows eligible Australians to save money for a deposit inside their superannuation fund, taking advantage of the tax benefits that come with super contributions. It is worth exploring whether this could work as part of your savings plan.
Gift Deposits and Family Support
Not everyone saves their deposit entirely on their own, and that is completely fine. A gift deposit from a family member is accepted by many lenders, though there are specific requirements around how it is documented. Arche Finance can explain what lenders typically need to see so there are no surprises when you apply for a home loan.
What Goes Into a Home Loan Application
The first home loan application process involves pulling together a fair bit of paperwork, including proof of income, bank statements, identification, and details about your expenses and liabilities. Getting pre-approval before you start attending open homes is a smart move. Pre-approval gives you a clearer picture of your first home buyer budget and shows sellers and agents that you are a serious buyer. Arche Finance helps first home buyers prepare their application so it is as strong as possible when it goes to a lender.
It is also worth understanding that interest rate discounts are often available depending on the lender, the loan size, and how your application is structured. Different lenders assess applications differently, and having a mortgage broker in your corner means someone is looking across multiple lenders to find a loan that fits your circumstances, not just the first one that comes up.
A First Home Buyer Checklist Worth Having
Every first home buyer situation is a little different, but there are some common things to get sorted early. Knowing your borrowing capacity, understanding your borrowing capacity in real terms, having a realistic first home buyer budget, and knowing which government schemes you may be eligible for are all important starting points. Arche Finance works with buyers across Sydney's Inner West and beyond, and we take the time to understand your specific goals before recommending anything.
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. Having someone in your corner who knows the process, knows the lenders, and genuinely wants to see you get into your first home makes a real difference. That is what Arche Finance is here for.
Step 1: Initial Conversation
We start with a relaxed, no-obligation chat. This is your chance to tell us about your situation, your goals, and what you are hoping to achieve. Whether you are buying your first home, upgrading to something bigger, or looking to access equity, we listen first and talk second.
Step 2: Fact Find and Assessment
We take a closer look at your financial picture. This includes your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Do not worry if things are not perfect. Our job is to understand where you are at and find the best path forward for you.
Step 3: Borrowing Power and Strategy
Once we understand your situation, we work out how much you can borrow and what loan structure suits you best. We explain your options in plain language so you can make confident decisions.
Step 4: Loan Research and Recommendation
We search across a wide panel of lenders to find the right loan for your needs. We are not tied to one bank, which means we work for you, not for them. We present our recommendation clearly and explain exactly why it suits you.
Step 5: Application Preparation
We handle the paperwork. We prepare your application, gather the supporting documents, and make sure everything is in order before it goes to the lender. This saves you time and reduces the chance of delays.
Step 6: Lodgement and Approval
We lodge your application and manage the process with the lender on your behalf. We keep you updated at every stage and follow up to keep things moving. When your approval comes through, we walk you through the loan documents so you know exactly what you are signing.
Step 7: Settlement and Beyond
Once your loan settles, our relationship does not end there. We check in with you regularly to make sure your loan is still working hard for you. As your life changes, we are here to help you adapt your strategy and make the most of your position.
Marie was fantastic throughout the entire process of purchasing our home. She made what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and manageable from start to finish. Her communication was excellent, always keeping us informed and answering any questions we had. She is personable, approachable, and incredibly knowledgeable, which made us feel confident and supported throughout the whole process. Marie genuinely cared about achieving the best outcome for us and always had our best interests at heart. We’re so grateful for all her help and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her services.
Charlotte Smart
We had an amazing experience working with Marie. From the very beginning, she was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. Marie made everything feel easy and stress-free, always taking the time to explain things clearly and keep us informed every step of the way. Her communication was outstanding, and she genuinely went above and beyond to achieve the best outcome for us. We always felt like she had our best interests at heart. We couldn’t recommend Marie highly enough — if you’re looking for a trustworthy, hardworking, and caring broker, she is the one!
Jessica Leahy
Marie has been through the trenches with me and my partner. I first spoke to her about getting a mortgage over 4 years ago, and we’ve only just secured our home loan now after having to put it off multiple times. Throughout the entire process, she spent an enormous amount of extra time helping us, taking late-night calls, making sure everything was organised, and always keeping things on track. She truly went above and beyond for us, and her patience and support made a huge difference especially for someone like me who can get a bit overwhelmed and distracted at times! I genuinely couldn’t recommend her more highly !!! 6 stars !!!
Stepan Majchrovsky
Working with Marie was fantastic from start to finish. She explained everything we needed to know clearly and ahead of time. She gave us space to explore and to "go on our journey", and her pep talks kept us positive. Her connections ended up helping us find our new home, and her expertise ensured we secured it quickly and painlessly. I would wholeheartedly recommend Marie to anyone looking for a supportive mortgage broker to help them on their home buying journey!
Tim Stobo
Marie is amazing and super helpful. She helped me to find the best bank that matches my situation and needs and helped me to liaise with the bank and convince the bank to issue the loan. She also give me useful information about the real property market and provide basic property research documents. I highly recommend her for anyone who are thinking to get loan for your property purchase. Hope we can cooperate again in the future!
Shiyi Wei
Marie was a pleasure to deal with and achieved an excellent result for my family. She explained all of the steps clearly, and managed expectations and time frames perfectly. I would recommend Marie to anyone who needs to get their arms around their financing needs. You will never need another broker!
Shelley Burger
I've spoken to Marie over the last 18 months regarding my mortgage – she always provides great advice and solutions and doesn't hesitate to make time to workshop all the options. I would definitely recommend Marie to friends and family needing a mortgage or car loan.
Greer Boulting
We would definitely recommend Arche Finance. Marie is professional, efficient and endlessly helpful. She got our finance approved quickly and provided sound advice. 10/10 recommend.
Bethany Saab
Marie was absolutely fantastic! As first-time buyers, we were overwhelmed, but she patiently guided us through every step. She explained everything clearly and professionally, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. What we truly appreciated was her focus on our financial well-being; she helped us find a mortgage that suited our needs, rather than pushing us to borrow the maximum. Her advice was invaluable, and we felt completely supported. Highly recommend her services!
Ross Scott
We worked with Marie after she came highly recommended by a friend. If I could describe the experience in 3 words, it would be ‘informative, supportive, knowledgable’. Marie gave us all the information we needed as complete novices to the process and explained it in such a clear and understandable way. We checked in regularly and even helped us process a last minute pre-personal application while she was on holiday! I can not recommend Marie enough!
Aimee Smith
Marie has been fantastic during our journey to buying our next home. Her knowledge and care have been invaluable to get us to a position we did not think possible. I would definitely work with her again and recommend her services to anyone looking to purchase.
Jaclyn Wells
Had a fantastic experience with Marie - she helped navigate me through the entire property purchasing process. From finding me the most suitable lender to completion. Very knowledgeable and always available. I highly recommend Marie if you want someone who knows their stuff and genuinely cares - truly refreshing approach with the ability to make a stressful process more calm and fun! Thank you Marie - Lucy & Denby
Denby Miller
Marie was amazing in helping me with my home refinancing and investment property finance. She made sure I got the best rates possible and was a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Marie.
Catherine Wolfe-Coote
Amazing broker! Honest and extremely helpful, would highly recommend Marie
Josh Logan
Marie successfully secured a great home loan in no time, which was catered to our needs and requirements. She was professional, responded quickly to all of our questions and great at following up. She stepped us through and made easy what is usually a very confusing process. Very happy with the service she provided, would definitely recommend!
Jessica Freeman
Thank you Marie for your amazing guidance and support in our recent buying process. The information you provided, which was above and beyond expectations, meant we could negotiate with confidence and secured our dream property at a fantastic price in this tight buyers market. Forever grateful.
Sophie Hogg
I recently had the pleasure of working with Marie Costello from Arche Finance for the purchase of my third property, and I am incredibly impressed with her service. Marie took over my application from another broker, and I am so grateful she did. She immediately identified significant errors in the previous application that, if left uncorrected, would have jeopardized the entire purchase and caused me to miss out on a fantastic opportunity. Marie was consistently pro-active, transparent, and efficient throughout the entire process. She asked insightful questions that demonstrated a genuine understanding of my needs and financial situation. Her emails were always clear, concise, and provided the perfect level of detail, preempting any potential confusion. Marie truly played an essential role in making the purchase a successful and confident experience. She kept me informed with timely updates, both via email and phone for crucial milestones. Her dedication was truly remarkable – she even worked during her week off to ensure the process remained on track and caused no delays. I wholeheartedly recommend Marie Costello and Arche Finance to anyone seeking a reliable, knowledgeable, and dedicated mortgage broker. Her expertise and commitment were invaluable, and I am extremely grateful for her exceptional service in securing my property.
Fabien CARO
From the very beginning, Marie has been incredibly patient and professional throughout our entire home-buying journey. As first-time buyers, we had countless questions and scenarios to consider, and Marie provided extremely helpful advice and guidance every step of the way. Despite how challenging we may have been at times, she was always there to support us without hesitation. Even though we’ve decided to pause our search for now due to feeling overwhelmed, Marie has never once pressured us and has shown full understanding. When we resume our house hunt, we’ll be going straight back to her! We can’t recommend Marie highly enough!
Amy Beaven
Marie was absolutely outstanding! From start to finish, she made the process a pleasure and provided great guidance and knowledge along the way. We can’t recommend her enough!
Dean Hardwicke
It took me a year to find the right property. Marie was with me from day one and checked in on me regularly without my prompting. I had full trust in Marie and would happily let Marie lead me through the process again in future purchases.
Tina Chen
Marie went over and above in helping us, providing advice for months before we were ready to buy as we needed to sell another property first. She provided clear and easy to understand advice, was super responsive and so friendly and positive to work with. Thanks to her guidance we have had our loan approved and successfully purchased a home for our family. We would definitely work with her again.
Alexandra Henderson
Marie was incredibly helpful and made our mortgage process well informed and as stress free. Would 100% recommend her services.
David Henderson
We had a wonderful experience working with Marie. She was extremely personable, patient, and always made us feel comfortable, guiding us through the mortgage process. Thanks Marie! Would highly recommend!
Lachlan Smart
Fantastic person to deal with. She made everything easy to understand. She was at all times very thorough, professional and responsive. We would definitely use her again and can't recommend her highly enough!
Michele S
Marie is one of the best in the business. She has been an absolute pleasure to work with and has supported us immensely throughout the entire process, from start to finish.
Alex McKinnon
Marie was fantastic throughout the entire process of purchasing our home. She made what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and manageable from start to finish. Her communication was excellent, always keeping us informed and answering any questions we had. She is personable, approachable, and incredibly knowledgeable, which made us feel confident and supported throughout the whole process. Marie genuinely cared about achieving the best outcome for us and always had our best interests at heart. We’re so grateful for all her help and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her services.
Charlotte Smart
We had an amazing experience working with Marie. From the very beginning, she was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. Marie made everything feel easy and stress-free, always taking the time to explain things clearly and keep us informed every step of the way. Her communication was outstanding, and she genuinely went above and beyond to achieve the best outcome for us. We always felt like she had our best interests at heart. We couldn’t recommend Marie highly enough — if you’re looking for a trustworthy, hardworking, and caring broker, she is the one!
Jessica Leahy
Marie has been through the trenches with me and my partner. I first spoke to her about getting a mortgage over 4 years ago, and we’ve only just secured our home loan now after having to put it off multiple times. Throughout the entire process, she spent an enormous amount of extra time helping us, taking late-night calls, making sure everything was organised, and always keeping things on track. She truly went above and beyond for us, and her patience and support made a huge difference especially for someone like me who can get a bit overwhelmed and distracted at times! I genuinely couldn’t recommend her more highly !!! 6 stars !!!
Stepan Majchrovsky
Working with Marie was fantastic from start to finish. She explained everything we needed to know clearly and ahead of time. She gave us space to explore and to "go on our journey", and her pep talks kept us positive. Her connections ended up helping us find our new home, and her expertise ensured we secured it quickly and painlessly. I would wholeheartedly recommend Marie to anyone looking for a supportive mortgage broker to help them on their home buying journey!
Tim Stobo
Marie is amazing and super helpful. She helped me to find the best bank that matches my situation and needs and helped me to liaise with the bank and convince the bank to issue the loan. She also give me useful information about the real property market and provide basic property research documents. I highly recommend her for anyone who are thinking to get loan for your property purchase. Hope we can cooperate again in the future!
Shiyi Wei
Marie was a pleasure to deal with and achieved an excellent result for my family. She explained all of the steps clearly, and managed expectations and time frames perfectly. I would recommend Marie to anyone who needs to get their arms around their financing needs. You will never need another broker!
Shelley Burger
I've spoken to Marie over the last 18 months regarding my mortgage – she always provides great advice and solutions and doesn't hesitate to make time to workshop all the options. I would definitely recommend Marie to friends and family needing a mortgage or car loan.
Greer Boulting
We would definitely recommend Arche Finance. Marie is professional, efficient and endlessly helpful. She got our finance approved quickly and provided sound advice. 10/10 recommend.
Bethany Saab
Marie was absolutely fantastic! As first-time buyers, we were overwhelmed, but she patiently guided us through every step. She explained everything clearly and professionally, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. What we truly appreciated was her focus on our financial well-being; she helped us find a mortgage that suited our needs, rather than pushing us to borrow the maximum. Her advice was invaluable, and we felt completely supported. Highly recommend her services!
Ross Scott
We worked with Marie after she came highly recommended by a friend. If I could describe the experience in 3 words, it would be ‘informative, supportive, knowledgable’. Marie gave us all the information we needed as complete novices to the process and explained it in such a clear and understandable way. We checked in regularly and even helped us process a last minute pre-personal application while she was on holiday! I can not recommend Marie enough!
Aimee Smith
Marie has been fantastic during our journey to buying our next home. Her knowledge and care have been invaluable to get us to a position we did not think possible. I would definitely work with her again and recommend her services to anyone looking to purchase.
Jaclyn Wells
Had a fantastic experience with Marie - she helped navigate me through the entire property purchasing process. From finding me the most suitable lender to completion. Very knowledgeable and always available. I highly recommend Marie if you want someone who knows their stuff and genuinely cares - truly refreshing approach with the ability to make a stressful process more calm and fun! Thank you Marie - Lucy & Denby
Denby Miller
Marie was amazing in helping me with my home refinancing and investment property finance. She made sure I got the best rates possible and was a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Marie.
Catherine Wolfe-Coote
Amazing broker! Honest and extremely helpful, would highly recommend Marie
Josh Logan
Marie successfully secured a great home loan in no time, which was catered to our needs and requirements. She was professional, responded quickly to all of our questions and great at following up. She stepped us through and made easy what is usually a very confusing process. Very happy with the service she provided, would definitely recommend!
Jessica Freeman
Thank you Marie for your amazing guidance and support in our recent buying process. The information you provided, which was above and beyond expectations, meant we could negotiate with confidence and secured our dream property at a fantastic price in this tight buyers market. Forever grateful.
Sophie Hogg
I recently had the pleasure of working with Marie Costello from Arche Finance for the purchase of my third property, and I am incredibly impressed with her service. Marie took over my application from another broker, and I am so grateful she did. She immediately identified significant errors in the previous application that, if left uncorrected, would have jeopardized the entire purchase and caused me to miss out on a fantastic opportunity. Marie was consistently pro-active, transparent, and efficient throughout the entire process. She asked insightful questions that demonstrated a genuine understanding of my needs and financial situation. Her emails were always clear, concise, and provided the perfect level of detail, preempting any potential confusion. Marie truly played an essential role in making the purchase a successful and confident experience. She kept me informed with timely updates, both via email and phone for crucial milestones. Her dedication was truly remarkable – she even worked during her week off to ensure the process remained on track and caused no delays. I wholeheartedly recommend Marie Costello and Arche Finance to anyone seeking a reliable, knowledgeable, and dedicated mortgage broker. Her expertise and commitment were invaluable, and I am extremely grateful for her exceptional service in securing my property.
Fabien CARO
From the very beginning, Marie has been incredibly patient and professional throughout our entire home-buying journey. As first-time buyers, we had countless questions and scenarios to consider, and Marie provided extremely helpful advice and guidance every step of the way. Despite how challenging we may have been at times, she was always there to support us without hesitation. Even though we’ve decided to pause our search for now due to feeling overwhelmed, Marie has never once pressured us and has shown full understanding. When we resume our house hunt, we’ll be going straight back to her! We can’t recommend Marie highly enough!
Amy Beaven
Marie was absolutely outstanding! From start to finish, she made the process a pleasure and provided great guidance and knowledge along the way. We can’t recommend her enough!
Dean Hardwicke
It took me a year to find the right property. Marie was with me from day one and checked in on me regularly without my prompting. I had full trust in Marie and would happily let Marie lead me through the process again in future purchases.
Tina Chen
Marie went over and above in helping us, providing advice for months before we were ready to buy as we needed to sell another property first. She provided clear and easy to understand advice, was super responsive and so friendly and positive to work with. Thanks to her guidance we have had our loan approved and successfully purchased a home for our family. We would definitely work with her again.
Alexandra Henderson
Marie was incredibly helpful and made our mortgage process well informed and as stress free. Would 100% recommend her services.
David Henderson
We had a wonderful experience working with Marie. She was extremely personable, patient, and always made us feel comfortable, guiding us through the mortgage process. Thanks Marie! Would highly recommend!
Lachlan Smart
Fantastic person to deal with. She made everything easy to understand. She was at all times very thorough, professional and responsive. We would definitely use her again and can't recommend her highly enough!
Michele S
Marie is one of the best in the business. She has been an absolute pleasure to work with and has supported us immensely throughout the entire process, from start to finish.
Alex McKinnon
The timeline for a home loan application can vary depending on a number of factors, including the lender you apply with, the complexity of your financial situation, and how quickly all the required documents can be gathered and verified. In general, once a formal application is submitted with all the necessary paperwork, lenders can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to provide a formal approval. At Arche Finance, we work to keep things moving as smoothly as possible by making sure your application is thorough and well-prepared before it goes to a lender. We will keep you updated throughout the process so you always know where things stand and what to expect next.
This is a question we are always happy to answer openly. In most cases, mortgage brokers in Australia are paid a commission by the lender once a home loan settles. This means that for the majority of our clients, there is no out-of-pocket fee for using our services. We are required by law to act in your best interests and to be transparent about how we are paid, which we take very seriously. Before we proceed with any application, we will clearly explain our remuneration to you so there are no surprises. We believe that honest, transparent communication is the foundation of a good relationship, and we want you to feel completely comfortable and informed at every stage of working with us.
A mortgage broker acts as the go-between for you and a range of lenders. Rather than you having to approach each bank or lender on your own, a mortgage broker does the legwork for you. At Arche Finance, we take the time to understand your situation, your goals, and what you can realistically afford. We then research options from our panel of lenders and present you with choices that suit your circumstances. We handle the paperwork, liaise with lenders on your behalf, and keep you informed every step of the way. Our role is to make the whole process feel manageable and to make sure you feel supported from your first conversation through to settlement.
Equity is the difference between what your home is currently worth and what you still owe on your mortgage. Over time, as you pay down your loan and if your property increases in value, your equity grows. Equity release refers to accessing some of that equity, which some homeowners choose to do for purposes such as renovating their home, consolidating debts, or funding other significant expenses. It is not the right move for everyone, and it is important to think carefully about the implications before proceeding. At Arche Finance, we will take the time to explain how equity release works, what it could mean for your loan, and help you think through whether it aligns with your personal circumstances and goals.
The amount of deposit you need can vary depending on the lender, the type of loan, and your individual circumstances. In general, many lenders look for a deposit of at least 20 per cent of the property's purchase price to avoid paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance, which is an additional cost that protects the lender if you default on the loan. However, some lenders will consider applications with a smaller deposit, and there are also government schemes available that may help eligible first home buyers purchase with a lower deposit. At Arche Finance, we will talk through your deposit situation with you and help you understand what your options may look like based on where you are right now.
Lenders Mortgage Insurance, often called LMI, is a type of insurance that some lenders require when a borrower is putting down a deposit of less than 20 per cent of the property's purchase price. It is important to understand that LMI protects the lender, not you as the borrower. If you were unable to keep up with your repayments and the property had to be sold for less than what was owed, LMI covers the lender's loss. The cost of LMI can vary quite a bit depending on the size of your loan and your deposit, and it can either be paid upfront or added to your loan amount. At Arche Finance, we will make sure you understand exactly what LMI means for your situation before you commit to anything.
When you go directly to a bank, you only see what that one lender has to offer. At Arche Finance, we work with a wide panel of lenders, which means we can look at a much broader range of options to find something that suits your needs. We also take the time to get to know you personally, which a bank simply cannot do in the same way. Our team is based right here in the Sydney Inner West, so we understand the local property market and the kinds of challenges our clients face. We are in your corner, working for you, not for any single lender.
Buying your first home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, and it is completely normal to feel unsure about where to begin. The good news is that you do not have to figure it all out on your own. At Arche Finance, we work with first home buyers every day and we love helping people take that first step. We will sit down with you, talk through your current financial situation, explain how the borrowing process works, and outline what you might need to have in place before you apply. We will also let you know about any government grants or schemes you may be eligible for as a first home buyer in New South Wales.
A pre-approval is a conditional indication from a lender that they may be willing to lend you a certain amount of money, based on the information you have provided. It is not a formal approval, but it does give you a clearer picture of your borrowing capacity before you start attending open homes. Having a pre-approval in place can also show sellers and real estate agents that you are a serious buyer. At Arche Finance, we can help you understand whether pursuing a pre-approval makes sense for your situation and guide you through what is involved in the process. It is a useful step for many buyers, particularly in a busy property market like Sydney.
Absolutely. Upgrading to a new home is an exciting move, but it does come with its own set of considerations. You may be thinking about selling your current property and buying a new one at the same time, or you might be wondering how to use the equity you have built up in your existing home. At Arche Finance, we work with many clients who are at this stage of life and we understand that the process can feel like a lot to manage all at once. We will help you understand your current financial position, look at how your existing equity could work in your favour, and talk through the timing and structure of your move so that you feel informed and confident.
Whether you are still saving your deposit or ready to start looking at properties, talking to Arche Finance early means you will know exactly where you stand. Book an appointment with us today and let's figure out what is possible for you.
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