Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions, Brisbane (2026)

26/10/2026

🇨🇦 CANADIAN DOLLARS + KIWI PARTNER = AUSTRALIAN HOME LOAN APPROVED! 🇳🇿🏡🇦🇺

WOW! What a deal to get across the line! 🎉🙌🏽

This is exactly why I LOVE being a specialist mortgage broker!

THE SCENARIO 👇🏽

🇨🇦 HER: Canadian citizen, self-employed Health & Fitness Influencer, earning sponsorship income paid directly into her Canadian bank accounts. Two Canadian credit cards and a Subclass 461 visa.

🇳🇿 HIM: New Zealand citizen, newly employed in the Australian construction industry, still on probation with just TWO payslips!

💰 THE DEPOSIT: $205,000 in cash savings!

And here's the fun part… $20,000 came from winning SECOND PLACE in a Puppy Photo Competition! 🐶🏆🤣

These two had scrimped, saved, sold belongings and even WON their way towards their first home!

THE CHALLENGE? 🤯

Different citizenship and visa statuses, Canadian self-employed income, a brand-new Australian job and no eligibility for the government First Home Buyer Scheme.

Not exactly your everyday home loan application!

SO WHAT DID WE DO? 💪🏽

✅ Researched lender policies and visa requirements.

✅ Structured the purchase in his name while using BOTH incomes to service the mortgage.

✅ Found a lender that accepted Canadian self-employed income.

✅ Used previous ATO tax returns and ASIC business registration records to demonstrate his continuous experience in construction.

✅ Secured a lending solution with a 7.25% interest rate and a 1% Lender Protection Fee instead of traditional Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

🏡 We even helped them research their dream property using Property.com.au and PropertyHub.com.au so they could make an informed offer.

OFFER ACCEPTED! 🎉

Then the clock started ticking! ⏰

📑 14-day finance clause.

💻 Weekend spent preparing and submitting the application.

🏡 Property valuation came back supporting the contract price!

⏰ We needed the FULL 14 days… PLUS a 2-day extension!

And after 16 days of lender negotiations, income verification, paperwork and persistence…

🎉🎉 FORMAL HOME LOAN APPROVAL GRANTED! 🎉🎉

📅 Settlement scheduled for just 30 days after the contract was signed!

TWO VERY HAPPY FIRST HOME BUYERS! ❤️🏡

And this is why I love what I do!

I've been self-employed since I was 21, so I understand that business income isn't always straightforward.

I specialise in helping self-employed borrowers, particularly those earning FOREIGN INCOME, navigate Australian home lending policies.

🌏 You don't have to live overseas to have a foreign income home loan!

You could be living right here on the Sunshine Coast, earning Canadian dollars, British pounds or US dollars, and still have Australian home loan options!

It's about knowing WHICH lenders to approach, HOW they assess your income and HOW to structure the application.

I'm Shona Stephenson, Principal Mortgage Broker at Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions.

❤️ We work for YOU, not the banks!

📞 Self-employed? Earning foreign income? Recently changed jobs?

Let's explore your options!

Loan approval, rates, fees and borrowing capacity depend on individual circumstances and lender policy.

https://www.bestff.com.au/

26/10/2026

🇨🇦 CANADIAN DOLLARS + KIWI PARTNER = AUSTRALIAN HOME LOAN APPROVED! 🇳🇿🏡🇦🇺

WOW! What a deal to get across the line! 🎉

THE SCENARIO 👇🏽

🇨🇦 HER: Self-employed Health & Fitness Influencer, earning sponsorship income paid into Canadian bank accounts. On a Subclass 461 visa.

🇳🇿 HIM: New Zealand citizen, newly employed in construction, still on probation with just TWO payslips!

💰 $205,000 in savings! Including $20,000 from coming SECOND in a Puppy Photo Competition! 🐶🏆🤣

THE STRATEGY 💡

✅ Property purchased in his name.

✅ BOTH incomes used to service the mortgage.

✅ Found a lender accepting Canadian self-employed income.

✅ Proved his construction industry experience using ATO tax returns and ASIC records.

✅ Secured a 7.25% interest rate with a 1% Lender Protection Fee instead of traditional LMI.

THEN THE CLOCK STARTED! ⏰

🏡 Offer accepted!

💻 Weekend spent preparing the application.

📊 Property valuation supported the purchase price.

⏳ 14-day finance clause… PLUS a 2-day extension!

🎉 FORMAL APPROVAL GRANTED IN 16 DAYS!

📅 Settlement scheduled just 30 days after signing the contract!

TWO VERY HAPPY FIRST HOME BUYERS! ❤️🏡

This is why I LOVE mortgage broking!

I've been self-employed since I was 21, and I specialise in helping borrowers with complex income structures, particularly those earning foreign income.

🌏 You don't need to live overseas to qualify for a foreign income home loan!

It's about knowing which lenders to approach and how to present your income.

I'm Shona Stephenson, Principal Mortgage Broker at Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions.

❤️ We work for YOU, not the banks!

https://www.bestff.com.au/info-blog/canadian-income-kiwi-partner-australian-home-loan

14/10/2026

🏡🎉 CREDIT-IMPAIRED HOME LOAN APPROVED IN JUST 7 DAYS!

90% LVR | NO RISK FEE | ONE-TOUCH APPROVAL! 🙌🏽🔥

How did Principal Mortgage Broker Shona Stephenson do it?

🔎 RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! 🤣

This was NOT your straightforward home loan!

🏖️ CHALLENGE 1 – THE PROPERTY

An investment apartment with resort-style facilities.

Some lenders literally said NO because the building had the word "resort" attached to it! 🤦🏽‍♀️

We demonstrated that each apartment was individually owned, with owners retaining control over their property management.

🏦 CHALLENGE 2 – CREDIT IMPAIRMENT

Our client had experienced financial hardship while working in the building industry.

But there was more to the story!

He had sold a previous property to repay outstanding debts and rebuild his financial position.

A credit score doesn't always tell the whole story! ❤️

💰 CHALLENGE 3 – 90% LVR, NO RISK FEE!

We found a lender willing to consider BOTH the property and the applicant's credit history without an additional risk fee!

🏡 AND THE BONUS?

We shared property research and valuation insights BEFORE our clients made their offer.

🎯 OFFER ACCEPTED $100,000 BELOW ASKING PRICE!

The bank valuation supported the contract price too!

🥂 THE RESULT?

✅ Unconditional approval in 7 DAYS!
✅ 90% LVR – NO additional risk fee
✅ ONE-TOUCH APPROVAL
✅ $100,000 below asking price
✅ 30-day settlement
✅ Future refinancing opportunities as their circumstances improve!

THIS is why mortgage broking is about SO much more than finding the cheapest rate!

It's about understanding your clients, knowing lender policy and doing the research!

At Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions, we LOVE a tricky deal! 🤣❤️

We work for YOU, not the banks!

https://www.bestff.com.au/info-blog/credit-impaired-home-loan-unconditionally-approved-in-just-7-days-90-lvr-with-no-risk-fee

13/10/2026

🏡💰 $1.1 MILLION FOREIGN INCOME HOME LOAN APPROVED! 🎉🙌🏽

Another tricky deal across the line at Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions!

And now my clients can officially go PROPERTY SHOPPING IN NOOSA! 🏖️🥂

This one required some serious thinking outside the box! 🧠

My clients are Australian residents who own an offshore restaurant business in Singapore.

Both husband and wife receive monthly consultancy income in Singapore dollars (SGD), along with share options, plus additional income through an Australian company.

Sounds complicated? 🤔 It certainly was!

Here's where knowing your lender policies makes ALL the difference!

Rather than simply accepting that their income would be treated as foreign income, potentially attracting higher interest rates, additional risk fees and restrictive lending policies, we dug deeper!

Their income was declared through:

✅ Australian family trust tax returns
✅ Individual Australian income tax returns
✅ Australian company tax returns

By understanding their financial structure and presenting the application correctly, we found a lender willing to assess their eligible income under Australian income lending policy! 🙌🏽

THE RESULT? 🎉

🏡 $1,100,000 HOME LOAN APPROVED!
💰 More competitive interest rate
🙌🏽 No additional foreign-income risk fees
✅ No business restructuring required
🏖️ Ready to start house hunting in NOOSA!

This is why choosing the right mortgage broker matters!

It's not always about how much you earn. Sometimes it's about HOW you earn it, how your income is structured and knowing which lender has the right policy!

At Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions, we LOVE a tricky deal! 🤣

Self-employed? Foreign income? Offshore business? Family trust?

We work for YOU, not the banks! ❤️

📍 Noosa | Sunshine Coast | Australia-wide

https://www.bestff.com.au/info-blog/11-million-home-loan-approved-how-we-turned-complex-singapore-income-into-a-noosa-property-opportunity

21/08/2026

Have an HSBC mortgage? Now is a great time to review it. 🏡

With HSBC exiting the Australian retail banking market, a number of lenders are making it easier for HSBC home loan customers to refinance, with streamlined refinance options available.

Depending on your circumstances, some lenders may also be able to match your current HSBC interest rate — while giving you the opportunity to move your mortgage to a lender that may offer better service and suit your longer-term banking needs.

So, if your mortgage is currently with HSBC, now is a fantastic time to review it.

We can compare your existing HSBC loan against the wider market and look at:

✅Your current interest rate
✅Potential refinance options
✅Available streamlined refinance processes
✅Loan features and structure
✅Whether you could obtain a better overall lending solution

There is no obligation to refinance. It's simply an opportunity to understand your options before the transition of HSBC's Australian home loan portfolio takes place.

If you'd like us to review your HSBC mortgage, please reach out directly to Adam Kingston at Australian Expat Finance The Expatriate Australia

Eligibility criteria, lending criteria and terms & conditions apply.

11/08/2026

🏦 RBA Holds the Cash Rate at 4.35%... But That's Not the Whole Story.

While the Reserve Bank has left interest rates on hold today, we're seeing something really interesting behind the scenes...

💥 Lenders are becoming much more competitive.

We're currently seeing some of the sharpest home loan rates from lenders such as People First Bank, Macquarie, ME Bank, MyState Bank and Auswide Bank. For eligible borrowers with lower Loan-to-Value Ratios (LVRs), rates are starting from 5.99% p.a. (subject to lender criteria and individual circumstances).

Even better, the Big Four banks are also sharpening their pencils. If you've been with your bank for a while, don't assume you're already getting their best rate. Many lenders are offering discretionary discounts to retain good customers—but you often need to ask.

📅 When was your last home loan review?

If it's been more than 12 months, now is the perfect time to review your mortgage.

A home loan review could help you:
✅ Reduce your repayments
✅ Improve your household cash flow
✅ Unlock equity for renovations
✅ Purchase a caravan or other lifestyle asset
✅ Consolidate debt or fund your next investment

We're helping clients do exactly that right now.

The best part? You may not even need to change banks—we can often negotiate with your current lender on your behalf.

📞 If you'd like to find out whether you're paying more than you need to, get in touch with the team a for a complimentary Home Loan Health Check.

07/08/2026

🙌 Friday night approvals are the best!

A few weeks ago we secured finance for a client going through a very difficult divorce.

His credit history had been impacted by circumstances outside his control, there were unauthorised debts, and to make things even trickier, he was a real estate agent with a base salary plus commission. We looked beyond the most recent financial year, presented three years of income history, explained the circumstances, and matched him with the right lender.

Rather than focusing on the past, we focused on the future.

✅ We completed a thorough credit assessment.
✅ We provided a detailed explanation of the circumstances affecting his credit history.
✅ We demonstrated the strong financial position he will be in once the property settlement is finalised.
✅ We presented the application in a way that highlighted his strengths and future serviceability—not just the challenges.

The result? 🏡 A Specialist Plus home loan approval that allows him to keep the family home for his children.

Even better, the lender will review his interest rate after just 6 months of good repayments, giving him a clear pathway back to a more competitive loan.

The best part? Making that approval call on a Friday night and hearing the relief in his voice. ❤️

Every story is different. If you think your situation is "too hard", let's chat—you might have more options than you think.

📞 Australian Expat Finance
We work for you, not the banks.

Shona Stephenson

06/08/2026

🏡 We do the research. You make the decision.

Buying a home or refinancing is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make—but it doesn't have to be one of the most stressful.

When you work with Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions, you don't have to spend hours comparing lenders, interest rates, policies and loan features.

We do the research for you.

Every lender has different:
✅ Borrowing capacities
✅ Credit policies
✅ Interest rates
✅ Fees and features
✅ Approval timeframes

The right lender for one borrower isn't necessarily the right lender for another.

Our role is to understand your goals, compare a wide range of lenders, and recommend the solution that's best suited to your circumstances—not just the one with the lowest advertised rate.

We take the time to research your options, structure your application, and advocate for you throughout the process.

We do the research.
You make the decision.

If you're thinking about buying your first home, upgrading, investing or refinancing, we'd love to help you make an informed decision with confidence.

📞 Contact Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions today.

We work for you, not the banks.

https://www.bestff.com.au/contact

05/08/2026

🏡 Is Now the Right Time to Buy or Refinance?

With a property market correction occurring across many parts of Australia, many people are asking the same question: Should I wait, or should I act now?

What we're seeing at the moment is creating opportunities for buyers and homeowners alike.

🏠 Vendors are becoming more negotiable.
Many sellers are adjusting their price expectations, particularly if their property has been on the market for a while. This can give buyers greater negotiating power.

🏦 Lenders are also competing hard for quality borrowers.
Banks are sharpening their interest rates, offering pricing discounts, and in some cases refinance incentives, to attract new business.

✨ The result? You may have the opportunity to negotiate on both the purchase price and your home loan.

If you're already a homeowner, now is also a great time to review your mortgage. If it has been more than 12 months since your last loan review, you could be paying more than you need to. A simple pricing review or refinance could potentially save you thousands.

While no one can predict exactly what the market will do next, history has shown that time in the market is often more important than trying to time the market.

Whether you're buying your first home, upgrading, investing, or simply wondering if you're on the right loan, now could be the perfect time to explore your options.

📞 If you'd like to see what opportunities are available, get in touch. We'd be happy to run the numbers and help you make an informed decision.

Australian Expat Finance
We work for you, not the banks.
https://www.bestff.com.au/contact

04/08/2026

📉 Australia's Property Market Has Softened… But Could That Create Opportunity?

The latest Cotality Australia Home Value Index (August 2026) shows Australia's housing market has continued to ease, with home values declining across the country.

While headlines about falling property prices can sound concerning, changing markets often create opportunities.

🏡 Buyers may have greater negotiating power.
🏡 Properties may spend longer on the market.
🏡 Vendors may be more willing to negotiate.
🏡 Lenders continue to compete for quality borrowers.

If you've been waiting for the "right time" to buy, refinance or upgrade, this could be the window you've been looking for.

Remember, successful property investing has always been about time in the market, not timing the market. Markets move in cycles, and softer conditions can present some of the best buying opportunities for those who are prepared.

Thinking about your next move?

Let's chat about your borrowing capacity and put a strategy in place before you start house hunting.
📞 Contact Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions today.
Australian Expat Finance

Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions

26/10/2026

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13/10/2026

21/08/2026

11/08/2026

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