TYPES OF LOANS
Standard Variable Rate Home Loan
Offer all the bells and whistles available with maximum flexibility.
Discount & Introductory Home Loans
Offer you a no frills home loan on a lower discounted rate, with fewer features. Most come with penalties for discharging the loan in years 1, 2 or 3.
Fixed Rate Home Loan
Great for security, protecting you from upward movements in rates for an agreed length of time. However, you won’t benefit when rates drop and if you need to discharge your loan during the fixed rate period there may be an additional economic cost.
Combination Or Split Rate Home Loans
Combination or split rate home loans offer the flexibility of a variable rate and the certainty of a fixed rate, so you benefit when rates drop and are protected when they increase.
Equity Loans Or Line Of Credit
Allow you to unlock the equity in your existing home. They allow you to use the equity in your home in a manner similar to a credit card. A limit of the facility is set, and is only drawn when you require it.
Offset Loans
Offering you an account that works against your variable rate mortgage, reducing the interest you pay on a daily basis. Offset loans work best for prudent budgeters.
Construction Loans
For those building a home or renovating an existing home, we can arrange a construction loan for you.
Low Documentation And No-Documentation Home Loans
These loans are available to self-employed applicants for investment purposes. Evidence of income and asset/liability positions is not required. These loans attract a higher interest rate.
Non-Conforming Home Loans
Applicants who do not meet the ‘standard’ lending criteria may elect a non-conforming loan. These are typically for applicants with an impaired credit history, are unable to provide the required documentation in support of their home loan, or wish to borrow more than 100% of the property value.
LOANS
We are the home loan specialists! Even more, we do not charge you for our services. Tiffen & Co is paid by the lender when we successfully settle your loan. Our team of brokers are available to meet with you at our office or at a venue convenient to you.
Tiffen & Co caters for everyone from the prudent multi-million dollar property investor to the first home owner.
Your First Home
Buying your first home should be an exciting experience. At Tiffen & Co our team of brokers and personal assistants have the knowledge and experience to ensure your first experience is a pain-free and error-free one.
Call our office on (02) 6260 7880 or make an appointment via link below.
Recently, there have been many changes to the government funded first home owner benefits. The benefits are state and territory specific so your solicitor will advise you on what you are entitled to and how you can claim these benefits.
Tiffen & Co recommends to all our clients that a solicitor should act on your behalf in every property conveyance. We are happy to recommend a number of suitably qualified solicitors in Canberra if you need one.
We also recommend you engage a suitably qualified inspector to undertake a building, pest and compliance report. This report should be provided to your solicitor for review.
Let us help you buy your first home!
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How much can I afford to set aside for my mortgage repayment?
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What will my repayment be?
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How much money do I have for my deposit?
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How much will my stamp duty be?
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What will my other costs be?
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Do I need to set aside money for mortgage insurance?
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Do I qualify for the First Home Owners Grant?
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Are my current circumstances likely to change soon?
When considering your first property purchase you should consider the following:
PROCESS EXPLAINED
STEP 1 – Selecting the right loan for you
There are a myriad of lenders, loan types and products on the market. Our brokers will ask you many questions about your current and future circumstances and your finance needs to determine the right lender, loan type and product for you.
All the ‘hidden costs’ and facilities of your loan product will be explained to you. This includes the application and discharge fees, that can differ wildly between lenders. Finding and buying a home can involve extra costs equivalent to 5% to 7% of the purchase price. These fees may include – application fees, stamp duty, mortgage insurance, solicitor fees and valuations.
STEP 2 – Submitting your application to the lender
When applying for any home loan, lenders require certain information and documentation.
This information will differ depending on the lender and loan product. Documents to verify your income and asset/liability position may include:
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Payslips
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Letters from employers
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Tax assessments
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Tax returns
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Evidence of government benefits
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Land and water rates notices
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Statements of existing home loans/personal loans/car loans
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Credit card statements
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Identification
Your broker and their personal assistant will advise you of what is required.
Additionally in the case of a property purchase a sales instruction from the sales agent or contract of sale from the solicitor will be required. For investment properties a letter evidencing the expected weekly rent may be required.
Typically, your application can not be submitted to the lender until all necessary documentation is provided.
STEP 3 – The approval process
Once your application is received by the lender a number of initial checks are conducted. These include verifying you can ‘service’ the loan, a credit report and in some cases verification of your employment status by your employer. If valuations are required they will be ordered. If the loan is subject to mortgage insurance, your application along with your credit report and the valuation report will be sent to the mortgage insurer for assessment. Some lenders will run a title search prior to approval. In the ACT this can take up to 72-hours.
STEP 4 – You’re approved!
Once your application is unconditionally approved we will forward confirmation in writing to both yourself and your solicitor (in the case of a purchase).
The exchange or refinance process begins here. In the ACT it is recommended that building insurance is taken out on your new property at the time of exchange.
STEP 5 – Your loan offer contract and mortgage documents are prepared
Your lender will issue these documents to Tiffen & Co. Your Broker will make an appointment with you to take you through the documents and explain in detail the terms and conditions of the offer and the features of your loan product.
If you understand your offer and are happy with your loan offer you can sign your documents at the appointment. Alternatively you can take your loan offer contract away for further consideration.
Once signed, your documents will be checked for correctness and completion by Tiffen & Co and subsequently returned to the lender.
STEP 6 – Booking settlement
If you are purchasing it is your solicitors responsibility to book and attend settlement on your behalf. In the case of refinances Tiffen & Co will track settlement of your loan on your behalf.
STEP 7 – Settlement
Once your loan settles we will advise you and your solicitor.
STEP 8 – Post settlement care
After your loan settles we will be in contact with you to ensure you are aware when your first repayment falls due and where it will be coming from. We will take the time to ensure you are happy with your loan. Tiffen & Co will be in contact with you throughout the life of your loan to ensure it remains the best product for you.

Enquiries
Home Loan Application Requirements
To help us fast-track your loan, below is a checklist of documents that your broker will require. If you have some or all of them on hand, bring them along to your appointment as this will help your broker to better understand your financial position, as well as allow us to get your loan application started.
Required Documentation
• Two forms of ID – driver’s licence, medicare card, passport or birth certificate • Bank statements showing evidence of genuine savings • Three most recent statements of each of your credit cards • Most recent superannuation statements •Most recent statement of any investments that you may have – term deposits, share certificates and/or managed investment statements Most recent PAYG payment summary from your employer • Other income support – Centrelink, child support, dividends, family trust disbursements • Two most recent payslips If you are self employed – your last two years of personal and business tax returns and ATO assessments, including profit and loss statements • A copy of the sale of contract of the property you want to purchase (if already known)
Building a new home
• The construction plans, including specifications • Your builder’s tender documents including fixed-pricing schedule • Government approved plans • Builders licence number and insurance
Refinancing an existing Loan
• Copies of the last 6 months of banks statements of all loans wanting to be refinanced • Council rates or water rates notice for the property being offered as security • Your building insurance policy document