Rimal Shah - Mortgage Broker

09/09/2026

Google Review

This was our first home purchase, and it was far from a straightforward process. From start to finish, Rimal was patient, calm, and consistently available during what was a very stressful and unfamiliar time for us. We relied heavily on his expertise, and he never once made us feel lost or rushed.

Rimal was clear, gave honest guidance, worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and was always prompt and receptive to our needs . What we appreciated most was that he never pressured us down any particular path — instead, he gave us space to make decisions while supporting us every step of the way.

We’re incredibly grateful for the effort Rimal has put in over the past few months to help make this dream a reality. We cant recommend him highly enough and anyone working with him will be in very safe hands. Thank you for the amazing work Rimal!
Siddhant and Lovishka Mokala

08/09/2026

Mortgage Jargon You Need To Know

🏡 Buying a home is stressful enough without all the confusing acronyms. Here’s what they really mean (in plain English 👇):

🔹 LVR = Loan to Value Ratio
How much you borrow compared to the property’s value.
👉 How to calculate: Loan Amount ÷ Property Value × 100
👉 Example: $480k loan ÷ $600k property = 80% LVR.

🔹 DTI = Debt to Income Ratio
How many times your annual income you’re borrowing.
👉 Example: Earn $100k per year, borrow $600k → DTI = 6.
(Most banks cap this around 6–7).

🔹 LMI = Lenders Mortgage Insurance
An insurance premium you pay if your deposit is under 20%. It protects the bank, not you.
👉 Example: On a $600k purchase with a 10% deposit, LMI could cost you around $12k–$15k

✨ Still confused? Don’t stress, I promise not to talk in jargon. I’ll break it down in plain English so you actually get it. 💬 DM me to see how these numbers affect your borrowing power.

07/09/2026

Your credit score = your money reputation. The higher it is, the better your loan terms, rates, and options.

Here’s how to give it a glow-up:
✨ Pay on time – bills, loans, everything.
✨ Job stability helps your profile.
✨ Shrink those cards – low balances (or close them).
✨ Chill on new credit – no BNPL, car loans, or pre-approvals.
✨ Stay in the green – don’t go over limits on accounts or loans.

📈 A stronger credit score = more lender love + better deals.

Want to know where you stand (and how to boost it)? DM me for a credit health check ✅

06/09/2026

What is LVR (Loan-to-Value Ratio)?

LVR, or Loan-to-Value Ratio, is a key term in home loan lending. But what does it actually mean?

📊 LVR = Loan Amount ÷ Property Value x 100

For example, if you borrow $400,000 to buy a $500,000 home, your LVR is 80%.
Why does LVR matter?
🔹 The lower your LVR, the lower your risk to lenders
🔹 Loans above 80% LVR usually require Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)
🔹 It can influence the interest rate you’re offered

Aiming for 80% or less can save you thousands over the life of your loan.
Want to calculate your LVR or reduce it? Let’s chat.

05/09/2026

Spring Property Season – What You Need to Know

Spring is here — and with it, one of Australia’s busiest property seasons! 🌸 If you’re thinking of buying, now’s the time to prepare.

Here’s why Spring is so active:
🏠 More homes are listed
📈 Buyer demand increases
🌞 Longer daylight hours make open homes more accessible

What should you do now?
✔️ Get pre-approved so you’re ready to make an offer
✔️ Know your borrowing power and monthly repayment expectations
✔️ Start researching suburbs and attending inspections

Buying in a competitive market requires preparation and clarity — and that’s where a broker can help.

04/09/2026

03/09/2026

The Price of Loyalty: Understanding the Loyalty Tax

Are you paying more on your mortgage just because you’ve stuck with the same lender for years? That’s what we call the loyalty tax and it’s costing many borrowers thousands.

In fact, some customers have even found themselves trapped in their current loan because rising interest rates mean they can’t refinance under the usual assessment rules.

👉 The good news? Some banks will now assess you at a lower test rate (not the standard 3% buffer). That means if your new repayments and interest rate come in lower than your current loan, you can switch and score a better deal.

As a broker, my job is to look at your whole financial picture, and that can include negotiating a sharper rate with your existing lender or helping you refinance to someone new.

📩 Send me a DM to book a free review today; let’s make sure you’re not paying the “price of loyalty.”

02/09/2026

Success Story: Meet Amy.
She was unsure if she could ever get a mortgage due to her complicated income sources from her freelance small biz. After working closely with Amy for many months, we helped put a plan in place and found a lender that understood her situation and helped to secure her dream apartment.

Her story is a reminder that with the right advice, anything is possible. Are you ready? Let’s deep dive and think outside the square box!

01/09/2026

How Guarantor Loans Work (aka the Bank of Mum & Dad 😉)

What to do if you don’t qualify for the government guarantee scheme or LMI waivers? Don’t stress, you’ve got options! There’s still another way to avoid LMI and get into the market sooner: a parental guarantor loan, your fast-track ticket into the market. 🚀

Think of it like this:
✨ Your parents (or another immediate close family member) use some of the equity in their home to back you up.
✨ This means you don’t need the full 20% deposit.
✨ Bonus: you dodge the extra cost of LMI. 💸

Example time 👉 Sarah’s parents chipped in as limited guarantors, using equity in their place. That gave Sarah the boost she needed to buy her first home without a big deposit or LMI.

Pretty cool, right? 🙌

If you’re wondering whether a guarantor loan could be your shortcut into a new home, let’s chat and see if it’s the right fit for you. 💬

31/08/2026

August Market Wrap-Up – Looking Ahead to Spring

As August comes to a close, it's a great time to reflect on the progress you've made towards your financial and property goals.

Whether you've started saving for your first home, reviewed your current mortgage, improved your budget or simply learned more about the home loan process, every step counts.

The Australian property market continues to evolve, and staying informed helps you make confident decisions when opportunities arise. As we move into spring, many buyers and sellers become more active, making preparation even more important.

Thank you for following along throughout August. We hope these educational tips have helped you better understand the home loan journey and inspired you to take the next step towards your property goals.

Remember, you don't have to navigate the process alone.

If buying, refinancing or investing is on your list for the remainder of 2026, contact us today. We'd love to help you turn your property goals into reality.