17/10/2026
🚨 JUST BECAUSE THE BANK WILL LEND YOU $900,000 DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD BORROW IT.
This is one of the most expensive mistakes a homebuyer can make.
You get pre-approved for a certain amount. Suddenly, that's your house-hunting budget.
BIG MISTAKE.
The bank assesses how much it's prepared to lend you based on its lending criteria. But that doesn't mean borrowing every available dollar is right for YOUR life.
What happens when:
❌ Interest rates rise?
❌ The hot water system dies?
❌ Your household loses an income for six weeks?
❌ An unexpected $10,000 expense lands?
I've worked with clients who've deliberately bought $50,000–$75,000 below their borrowing capacity. Not because they had to. Because they wanted breathing room.
The smartest homebuyers don't ask, "What's the MOST I can borrow?"
They ask, "What's the MOST I can comfortably afford without sacrificing my lifestyle?"
That's a completely different conversation. And it's one worth having BEFORE you start attending open homes.
I'm Chris Vakas. Let's work out what makes sense for YOU, not just what the bank is prepared to approve.
Chris: 0415 248 788