Resolve Finance - Ballarat Central

13/06/2026

Most people don’t realise they might actually be able to avoid LMI completely.

If you’re in certain professions like healthcare, legal, engineering, teaching, police and a few others, you may be eligible for what’s called an LMI waiver.

That can mean borrowing up to 90–95% without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance… which can save you tens of thousands upfront.

It’s not just for first-home buyers either, and in many cases there aren’t the same strict price caps you see with other schemes.

If your job sits in one of these categories, it could genuinely change how you structure your purchase.

There are also 6 more professions I didn’t mention in the post.

DM me the word “LIST” and I’ll send it through.

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

All banks and lenders use what's called an assessment rate. Think of it as a buffer added on top of the actual interest rate to test whether you could still afford the loan if interest rates were to rise.

Generally, that buffer is around 3% for a purchase and can sometimes be lower for a refinance, depending on the lender and the scenario.

In this particular case, the client had approached another lender and was told their application didn't meet the lender's servicing requirements. What they couldn't understand was why.

The actual interest rate being offered was around 6.2%, but the lender wasn't assessing the loan at 6.2%. They were assessing it closer to 9.2%.

That's what led to the enquiry I received.

The client asked:

"How can I be paying $790 a week in rent, but not qualify for a home loan that would cost me around $700 a week?"

And honestly, it's a reasonable question.

From their perspective, they had already proven they could manage higher weekly housing costs.

What many people don't realise is that lenders don't compare your current rent to the actual mortgage repayment. Instead, they assess whether you could still afford the loan if interest rates increased in the future.

So while the real repayment may be around $700 per week, the lender is calculating affordability using a much higher assessment rate. This can result in a significantly higher assessed repayment, which may push the application outside the lender's affordability limits.

It's one of the most common frustrations I hear from first-home buyers and renters looking to enter the property market.

And if you know someone who's asked this exact question, share this with them. Chances are they're not the only one wondering.

07/06/2026

Could your super fund be doing more for your future?

Most Australians leave their super sitting in an industry fund and rarely think about it.

What many people don't realise is that, with the right advice and structure, an SMSF may allow you to invest in property using your superannuation.

This isn't about changing your lifestyle today.

It's about understanding the options available and how some Australians are building long-term wealth inside their super environment.

A few things people are often surprised to learn:

✔️ The property must generally be an investment property

✔️ You cannot live in it

✔️ Rental income and super contributions can help support the investment

✔️ There can be significant tax advantages in retirement, depending on your circumstances and current legislation

SMSFs are not suitable for everyone, and there are strict rules that must be followed.

Always speak with a licensed financial adviser, accountant, and SMSF specialist broker, Hi, it's me!

Have you ever considered using your super to invest in property?

Disclaimer: All figures used in this post are general examples only. Individual circumstances, borrowing capacity, SMSF balances, property values, rental income, contributions, and outcomes will vary. This is general information only and not financial advice.

04/06/2026

3 things Australian vets need to know before applying for a home loan

1️⃣ Your HECS debt reduces your borrowing power
Lenders calculate a repayment on your HECS balance regardless of what you're actually paying. The bigger the balance, the more it chips away at your limit.

2️⃣ Locum income is assessed differently
Not on a standard payslip? Some lenders will only use a portion of your income or decline you outright. You need a lender who understands how contractor and locum arrangements actually work.

3️⃣ The right lender changes everything
Some lenders offer professional packages for vets - better rates, waived LMI in some cases, and a smarter approach to how your income is assessed. These exist , most people just don't know to ask.

Save this for when you're ready to buy.
*Credit approval is subject to the Lenders terms and conditions and are subject to change. This
information does not consider your personal needs and financial circumstances. You should consider
whether it is appropriate for you. Credit assistance provided by Resolve Financial Solutions Pty Ltd
trading as Resolve Finance ABN 65 079 545 378, Australian Credit License No. 385487

31/05/2026

Interest rates change.

A friend gets a better deal.

A cashback offer pops up.

You want to renovate.

You need equity.

The household budget starts feeling tighter.

And suddenly the mortgage moves to the top of the to-do list.

The reality?

Most people don't review their mortgage because they planned to.

They review it because something triggered them.

A rate rise.

A better offer elsewhere.

Mortgage stress.

A renovation.

A new property purchase.

A change in income or lifestyle.

The question is:

If none of those things happened this year, would you have reviewed your mortgage anyway?

Because a mortgage review isn't just about finding a lower rate.

It's about understanding whether your loan still suits your life today.

✔ Is the structure still right?

✔ Are you using the features available to you?

✔ Is your lender still competitive?

✔ Does your loan support your future plans?

Many people assume refinancing is the first answer.

Sometimes it is.

Sometimes a conversation with your current lender can achieve a better outcome without changing banks.

The biggest mistake isn't staying or refinancing.

It's not reviewing at all.

When was the last time you reviewed your mortgage because you chose to, not because something forced the conversation?

28/05/2026

“I earn good money… so why does buying a home still feel impossible?”

Sarah was 29, single, working full-time and had saved $80k on her own.

No help.
No crazy spending.
Just years of trying to do the right thing.

But the reality for single-income buyers in Australia right now?

It’s tough.

The property she wanted was $550k.
The bank would only lend her $420k alone.

And because her deposit wasn’t quite enough, she was also looking at another $15k in LMI.

She was frustrated more than anything.

“I don’t want to ask my parents. I should be able to do this myself.”

That part hit hard.

Because so many single buyers feel exactly the same.

But needing support doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

In Sarah’s case, her mum had equity in her home, so we explored a guarantor option.

Her mum wasn’t giving her money.
Wasn’t making repayments.
Wasn’t buying the property with her.

She was simply helping strengthen the application so Sarah could get across the line.

After proper legal advice and lots of conversations, they moved forward.

The result?

✔️ Bought the property she wanted
✔️ Avoided paying $15k in LMI
✔️ Kept repayments manageable on one income
✔️ Got into the market years earlier than expected

And honestly?

For single-income buyers, sometimes the hardest part isn’t the repayments…

It’s feeling like you have to do everything completely alone.

If you’re in that middle ground - decent income, decent savings, but still falling short, there may be options worth exploring.

Book a call with me - link in bio

26/05/2026

I bought my first home in 2015 and honestly? The 30 year loan term terrified me. I was young, I knew nothing about finance, and the only two thoughts running through my head were - will I even be alive long enough to pay this off, and will I actually be able to make a dent in it before I'm old.

Then I spent years inside the banking world. Worked across all four major banks. Became a mortgage broker. And slowly everything clicked.

📌 Save this. You will want to come back to it.

The 30 year home loan cheat sheet:
🏠 1 extra repayment a year = 5 years off your loan
🏠 2 extra repayments = 8 years off
🏠 3 extra repayments = 11 years off
How to make extra repayments without feeling it:
→ Switch from monthly to fortnightly repayments
→ Round your repayment up even by $100 a month
→ Drop any lump sum straight into your offset or loan

This isn't secret information. It's available out there. I just want to be the person who actually explains it clearly so you stop feeling the way I felt in 2015.

24/05/2026

You tried. You were told no. You quietly shelved the dream.

I need you to read what one of our clients wrote, because it might change everything you thought was possible for you.

She was knocked back by 3–4 NO's. She had a real income, real savings, and a real plan. And she kept getting told it wasn't enough.

Then she met Cally.

He didn't tell her what she wanted to hear. He told her the truth and then he showed her exactly how to get there. And the day he called with a yes?

"Heavens open and my dream house was given to us - bonus for it is in my dream suburb too."

That moment is real. And it happens for our clients regularly.

Here's what I want you to know if you've been told no:

✦ A "no" from one is NOT a verdict on your life
✦ The right strategy beats the wrong lender every time
✦ Your situation has more possibilities than you've been shown
✦ The difference isn't your finances - it's who's in your corner

Cally answers every question. He doesn't quit until the yes comes through. And his whole team works with a heart.

If this resonates - save this post and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Then book a call. One conversation costs nothing. A dream house costs everything not to try.

💬 Drop "YES" in the comments if you want to know more , we'll reach out.

22/05/2026

Just started a new job and hit with probation? Yeah, it's annoying.
But here's the thing most lenders won't slam the door on you for it.

Who probation doesn't really worry-
NAB, CBA, ING, Macquarie, myState, Bankwest are generally okay with it. St George and Westpac have specific programs for things like nursing roles too.

What actually changes their mind:
You've been in that industry for 2+ years (even if this is a new role)
You got promoted internally but the new title has probation attached
No big employment gaps (more than 2 weeks looks messy)
You had at least 6 months at your last job

The move that matters:
Get a pre-approval .It's about your character and capacity as a borrower.
The probation thing feels like a blocker until you talk to the right lender. Then it's just a box to tick.

Know someone on probation stressing about buying a property?
Send this to them, it might save them from turning down a great opportunity for the wrong reason.