Jason Kuan - Shern Advisory

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Jason Kuan - Shern Advisory Focused on providing home loan advice and long term debt management strategies for homeowners

22/10/2026

I told my AI to challenge me when it saw fit, but not to argue for the sake of it.

It took that a bit too far. It started questioning everything. So I told it, "I'm the broker, you're not. Don't ask me these questions, because I know what I'm doing." And it said, "Sorry, you're right."

Karina has gone the other way and set hers to be sceptical and a bit pessimistic, like her. She says it's refreshing. It tells her when it thinks she shouldn't do something.

Either way, the lesson is the same. These tools get more useful when you're clear about what you want from them.

It's not that different to what good advice looks like. Someone who'll push back when it matters, and trust you when you know what you're doing.

General information only. Not personal advice. Shern Advisory, ACL 550893.

20/10/2026

Picture your life as 100 boxes, one for each year. I'm 41 this year, so I've shaded 41 of mine.

That's almost half. Seeing it laid out like that hit me harder than I expected.

Then shade the last 20 boxes too. If you're lucky enough to get to 100, those later years are usually about rest, not building. That leaves fewer boxes in the middle than most of us think.

Waiting for the perfect moment can quietly cost you years. Doing nothing is an option, but it's also a decision. Make it on purpose, not by default.

Done is better than perfect.

General information only. Not personal advice. Shern Advisory, ACL 550893.

18/10/2026

I used to work as a buyer's agent, about 10 years ago now. These days I'm a mortgage broker, so picking properties isn't my job anymore.

What I can share is what I learned back then, and the patterns I keep seeing now in the home loans I work on every week. Where buyers get stuck. What they wish they'd known earlier. What tends to work and what doesn't.

Think of it as experience, not advice. For advice on a specific property, a buyer's agent is the right person to talk to.

If there's something about buying you'd like me to cover, let me know.

General information only. Not personal advice. Shern Advisory, ACL 550893.

16/10/2026

Thinking about separating, but not sure you could afford a place on your own?

You're not the only one asking that, and it's a smart question to ask early.

I recently spoke with someone in exactly this position. She wanted to know her options before making any big decisions.

Like a lot of parents, moving away wasn't really an option. Her kids' school, her work and her support network were all local. So we looked at it differently. Instead of changing the area, we looked at changing the type of home. With young kids who can still share a room, a smaller 2 bedroom townhouse or unit nearby could work.

That's the trade-off with property. Price, type and location. You can usually only have 2. For her, staying local mattered most.

What worked for her may not work for you. Everyone's situation is different, and that's why the plan has to start with what matters most to you.

If you're thinking about separating and want to understand where you stand, you're welcome to get in touch. The conversation stays between us.

General information only. Not personal advice. This was one option that suited one client's circumstances. Legal questions about separation go to a family lawyer. Shern Advisory, ACL 550893.

14/10/2026

Buying your first home, or buying on your own after a separation?

Most people start with the same questions. How much can I borrow? How much can I buy? What's my rate?

The question that matters more comes after you get the keys. Can you actually keep this up?

I like to work backwards. What repayment are you comfortable with? Is there a buffer if rates move? What's your backup plan if something changes?

Owning a home isn't just the mortgage. There are council rates, insurance, maintenance and tradies to organise. If you're a first home buyer, some of that may be new. If you're coming out of a separation, your ex may have handled a lot of it, and now it's all on you.

How much you can borrow and what you can comfortably live with are 2 different numbers. It's worth knowing both.

If you'd like to work out what's sustainable for you, get in touch.

General information only. Not personal advice. Shern Advisory, ACL 550893.

12/10/2026

Going through a separation and worried about your home loan?

You're not alone, and there are often more options than people think.

I recently worked with a client in exactly this spot. With everything going on, some repayments slipped. That can make it harder to get a loan with a mainstream lender.

For this client, one option was a specialist lender that looks at the bigger picture, not just the recent history.

That kind of loan comes with trade-offs. The rate is usually higher, and there can be higher costs to leave later. It's meant to be a short to medium term step, not forever.

The plan was simple. Make every repayment on time, pay a bit extra if you can, and then review in a few months to see if a better rate or better terms are possible.

If you're separating and wondering what it means for your home loan, get in touch. And if you're struggling with repayments right now, talk to your lender early. Most have a hardship team that can help.

General information only. Not personal advice. This was one option that suited one client's circumstances. Legal questions about property settlement go to a family lawyer. Shern Advisory, ACL 550893.

10/10/2026

Most brokers probably wouldn't say this out loud.

If I help you push for a better rate and your current bank decides to match it, you stay put and I don't get paid.

Here's how broker pay works. Brokers are generally paid a commission by the lender when your loan settles. It's a percentage of the loan amount, and money sitting in your offset account usually isn't counted.

If the loan is paid out or refinanced in the first couple of years, the lender can take some or all of that commission back. So if your loan never moves, there's nothing to pay.

That's fine by me. I'd rather you end up on a rate that works for you, even if it's with the bank you already have.

If you want to talk through your rate, get in touch.

General information only. Not personal advice. Commission rates and terms vary by lender. Shern Advisory, ACL 550893.

08/10/2026

Your bank's best offer might not turn up until you're halfway out the door.

When you ask to refinance, there can be a few moments where your current lender gets a chance to keep you. Sometimes it's when you first ask for the discharge form. Sometimes it's when the discharge is lodged. And sometimes it's right at the end, when your new lender asks for your loan documents.

Each of those moments can come with another phone call and another offer.

If your bank comes back with a rate that works for you, that's a good outcome. Staying put is a decision too, as long as you've made it with a clear picture of your options.

My job is to help you have those conversations, compare what's on the table, and work out what actually suits you.

If you want to talk through your rate, get in touch.

General information only. Not personal advice. Lender offers and approvals vary and aren't guaranteed. Shern Advisory, ACL 550893.

06/10/2026

Paying above 6.5% on your home loan? It might be worth a phone call.

Depending on your loan size and your property value, there's a chance you could be on a sharper rate. Here's a simple way to find out.

First, work out what rates you might actually qualify for elsewhere. Then call your current lender and ask for a discharge form because you're thinking about refinancing.

Often that's when the offers come out. If they come back with a better rate, great. Ask them to put it in writing so you can talk it over at home with your partner or family. (and mortgage broker).

If they don't move, or the offer still isn't competitive, you've got your discharge form and a clear picture. That's when we can compare your options and help you fill in the paperwork if you decide to refinance.

Doing nothing is an option. It's also a decision. Just make sure it's one you've made on purpose.

If you want to talk through your rate, get in touch.

General information only. Not personal advice. Any refinance is subject to lender approval. Shern Advisory, ACL 550893.

07/01/2026

Thought buying your first home was simple?

So did I… until I made every mistake you could possibly make, including being $20K short on settlement day!

In my latest YouTube video, I share a step-by-step guide on what I’d do if I were buying my first home again in 2026, so that aspiring first home buyers don’t make the same mistakes!

Check out the full video here: https://youtu.be/Ero2X616F64

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