Before you choose a broker, think about the question you want them to answer. If your parents are giving you part of the deposit, you may want to know what paperwork the lender will ask for. If you invoice for your work, you may be more interested in how much of that income a lender will count. Those are two different conversations, even if both buyers are looking at the same apartment.

Here are five places to start, depending on where you’re buying and how you’d like to go about it.

1. Links Property Finance

Focus on Sydney first home buyers who want one broker through the purchase.

Links Property Finance is a first home buyer mortgage broker in Sydney, based in Enfield in the Inner West. I run the brokerage and work directly with buyers. If we start by working out what you’d need to buy a unit, you’ll still be speaking to me when you find one and want to get the finance moving.

Key strengths

• I look after your application from the first call through to settlement.
• You can compare low deposit options and work through what a gift or family guarantee would involve.
• You can get an estimate of the cash you’ll need at settlement before you decide how much to offer.

How Links Property Finance works

I usually start with what you’ve saved and what you’re looking to buy. If family is helping, I’ll ask whether they’re giving you cash or offering a guarantee backed by their property. A gift and a guarantee have different consequences for your family, so it’s worth getting clear on that early.

Once you have an address, we can talk through what the lender still needs to check. A borrowing estimate might give you a range for your search. The lender may still need to value the property or check details such as an apartment’s size before it can approve the loan.

Best for Sydney buyers who want to speak to the same broker as the purchase moves along.

2. Mortgage Choice

Focus on finding a broker through a national network.

Mortgage Choice has a broker finder you can search by suburb or postcode. Its guides cover the early questions buyers tend to have about deposits and guarantor loans. It’s a place to start if you’d prefer to meet a broker near home or work.

Ask the broker you speak to who’ll be looking after your application. That’s the person you’ll want to call when an agent gives you a deadline.

Best for buyers who want to find a broker near them.

3. Lendi

Focus on getting the application started online.

Lendi lets you search for home loans and start an application online. Its Home Loan Specialists are available to help as you go. That can suit someone who’d rather start the process in their own time and get help when they need it.

If you get an online borrowing estimate, ask what’s been checked. It can help you filter listings, but it’s worth finding out what the lender still needs before you use that number to set a bidding limit.

Best for buyers who’d like to start online with specialist support available.

4. Home Loan Experts

Focus on applications where the income takes some explaining.

Home Loan Experts works with first home buyers and borrowers who earn income from a business, contracting or casual work. Its panel includes specialist lenders.

Say you’ve had a strong few months but last year’s income was lower. Ask which figures the lender would use and what you’ll need to show. If a specialist loan is suggested, check the fees and conditions against any standard options you can qualify for.

Best for buyers whose income needs a closer look.

5. Wisebuy Home Loans

Focus on first home buyers in Newcastle and the Hunter.

Wisebuy Home Loans is based in Newcastle and has a dedicated first home buyer service. Its team works with buyers around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the wider Hunter.

If you’re looking across several suburbs, pick two price points and ask what you’d need in cash for each. A higher purchase price can change how much you need to bring to settlement and how much you’ll have left in savings afterwards.

Best for buyers who want a broker based in Newcastle and the Hunter.

Which mortgage broker should you choose?

• Links Property Finance if you’re buying in Sydney and want one broker from the first call to settlement.
• Mortgage Choice if you’d like to find a broker near you.
• Lendi if you’d prefer to start online.
• Home Loan Experts if you want help with contract, casual or business income.
• Wisebuy Home Loans if your search is in Newcastle or the Hunter.

How to choose a mortgage broker for your first home

Ask each broker to work from the same figures. Give them your deposit, income and target price. If you already have a listing, send it through. That makes it easier to compare what they tell you.

• Which lenders would you consider for me, and why?
• How much would I need in cash to settle at that price?
• Who would I call if I found a property this weekend?
• What fees could I pay, and how are you paid?
• What still needs to be checked before the lender can approve the loan?

Check that the broker holds an Australian credit licence or is authorised under one. Ask for a copy of their credit guide.

Frequently asked questions

1. What does a mortgage broker do for a first home buyer?

A broker can explain how different lenders might treat your income and deposit, compare loans from the lenders they work with and help prepare the application. The lender makes the approval decision.

2. Which mortgage broker suits first home buyers in Sydney?

Links Property Finance is an option if you want to work directly with Charles Touma in Sydney. If you’re buying an apartment, bring the listing to the first conversation so you can talk about the property as well as the price.

3. How much does a mortgage broker cost?

A lender may pay the broker a commission. Some brokers also charge the borrower a fee. Ask what you’d pay and when it would be due. You can also ask the broker to explain how they’re paid before you decide to go ahead.

4. Can I buy a first home with a 5 per cent deposit?

Eligible buyers can use the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme to buy with a minimum 5 per cent deposit without paying lenders mortgage insurance under the scheme. Check the property price cap and make sure the lender participates. Allow for purchase costs as well as the deposit.

5. Should I use a broker or go directly to a bank?

If you already have a loan in mind, your bank can tell you how it works and whether you might qualify. If you want to compare how different lenders would assess your deposit, income or property, ask a broker which lenders they can look at for you.

Conclusion

Pick one property you’d consider buying and take it to the first conversation. Ask how much you’d need in cash and what the lender would still have to check. You’ll learn more about how the broker works from that conversation than from a list of lenders on their website.

The profiles are based on services each provider publicly described in November 2026.