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Could our mortgage broker partner, Finspo, help you find a better home loan for your home in Melbourne?

If you’re considering switching mortgages or taking out your first home loan to buy a property in the Victorian capital city, our mortgage broker partner can help you review your options.

When shortlisting home loans for you to choose from, they’ll look beyond the home loan interest rate and dive in to assess your particular needs, with a focus on your preferred features, loan term, and repayment frequency.

A chat with our mortgage broker partner may help if...

  • You’re taking out a home loan for the first time
  • You’re looking to buy your next home
  • You’re thinking about refinancing
  • You haven’t reviewed your home loan in more than 12 months
  • You're unsure about what options are right for you
  • You have unique or complex circumstances, like buying through a trust, navigating a divorce, or buying with friends

Finspo’s mortgage brokers can also assist with investment, construction, and land loans.

Benefits of using a mortgage broker

A mortgage broker can be worth considering if you'd like additional help comparing your options. Our mortgage broker partner, Finspo, can access loans from more than 30 lenders and give you a detailed overview of your options, including what rates and features are available. This can save you time, as they’ll compare multiple loan products on your behalf.

A mortgage broker can also act as your long-term advocate, helping you access your equity and may even negotiate with your lender for a better rate. You can also expect help with handling paperwork, and ensuring your home loan still aligns with your needs if circumstances change.

How it works

You’ll be guided by our partner mortgage broker, Finspo, through three steps to help you explore your home loan options.

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Book a review

Book a review over video chat at a time that suits you. These reviews typically take 45 minutes.

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Chat with our partner broker

We’ll keep things simple. Your Finspo mortgage broker will ask questions to understand your needs and provide guidance.

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Review your options

Your Finspo mortgage broker will provide a summary of your requirements, as well as personalised insights and a shortlist of home loans to help you choose. They’ll then help you apply and will act as your point of contact with the lender.

Meet Canstar’s mortgage broker partner, Finspo

Finspo is an Australian mortgage broker helping customers across the country navigate home lending with confidence. Established in 2019 by senior banking leaders who previously ran major mortgage businesses, Finspo brings deep industry experience to one of life’s biggest financial decisions: securing a home loan.

Finspo’s professional mortgage brokers combine personalised guidance with access to more than a thousand home loan options. They’re supported by an award-winning online portal, where you can upload documents, track your application in real time, complete key tasks, and keep important information in one convenient place.

From your first conversation, to settlement, and beyond, Finspo works alongside you at every stage. Your mortgage broker and home loan team can help you understand your options, provide personalised loan recommendations, manage your application with your chosen lender, and keep you informed throughout the process.

You’ll have a dedicated mortgage broker from the outset, backed by Finspo’s Australian-based administration team. That means there’s always someone available to answer your questions, provide updates, and help keep your home loan journey moving forward.

Ready for your home loan review?

Speak with a Finspo mortgage broker to find the loan that suits your needs

Book a time

FAQs about mortgage brokers in Melbourne

Mortgage brokers act as intermediaries between you and their panel of lenders. Your broker will start by identifying your home loan needs and financial goals, and let you know if you’re in a position to take out a loan. They’ll then recommend loan options from a range of lenders they work with.

The key appeal for many borrowers is that a mortgage broker will assist you in completing your loan application, as well as submit it to the lender on your behalf. They’ll also respond to any questions you or your potential lender may have. Your mortgage broker can also help you apply for the likes of Victoria’s first home owner grant.

Canstar has partnered with mortgage broker Finspo to help you find a mortgage broker to meet your needs. Their team of mortgage brokers have years of experience, full industry certification and accreditation, and are all members of the FBAA.

The best mortgage broker for you depends on your needs and preferences. 

Canstar also has pages for mortgage brokers in these areas:

Mortgage brokers generally don’t charge a direct fee to borrowers using their services. Instead they’re typically paid a commission by the lender you choose when you successfully apply for a home loan. 

In the vast majority of cases, there's no fee to use our mortgage broker partner, Finspo. In rare, complex situations (like bridging loans), where Finspo isn’t eligible to receive a commission from the lender, a fee may apply. If that's ever the case, they’ll always be upfront and let you know if any fees will be charged.

Are they licensed?

Check your broker is licensed to give you credit advice, including details about the licences they hold. For example, Finspo is licensed under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 and an FBAA member. You could also do an online check yourself through the FBAA and MFAA websites.

Licensed mortgage brokers are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which issues and enforces rules on how they operate. For example, mortgage brokers are required to act in your best interests if a conflict arises between your needs and that of the lenders they work with. Brokers are also required to reduce the potential for conflicts of interest that impact the advice they give.

How many lenders do they deal with?

Typically, the more options a mortgage broker can offer you, the better. There may be little advantage to using a broker that recommends products from only two or three lenders. It could also be worth asking whether they have a bias towards any particular lender and if so, why?

What is their ownership structure?

Ask if a major bank or lender has an ownership stake in their business. You may be concerned the mortgage broker will try and direct your business to this lender. Likewise, it may be important for you to know your broker is independent.

Our mortgage broker partner, Finspo is privately funded and independently managed.

What are their fees and commissions?

Ask about how much they’ll be paid by the lender for referring your business to them. Do some lenders pay them more than others? It could also be worth checking how their commission will be structured. For example, will it be an upfront commission or one that is paid to them on a recurring basis for as long as you have the loan?

What will the borrowing costs be?

While you may not be required to pay your mortgage broker a fee, it’s important to understand the costs you may incur when you take out a loan. These could be application and property valuation fees, as well as lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) in some cases. These fees are in addition to the interest charges that apply to your loan. A mortgage broker should be able to explain how these costs will differ based on the options they suggest.

What post-settlement services do they provide?

Some mortgage brokers offer ongoing support, generally in the form of conducting an annual review to ensure your home loan still meets your needs, and may even contact the lender on your behalf to negotiate a discounted rate.

Our mortgage broker partner, Finspo, provides helpful check-ins, timely updates, and relevant information that may affect your loan, like when the RBA cash rate changes.

If your home loan needs are relatively straightforward and you're comfortable comparing your home loan options, applying for a home loan directly with a lender may suit you. Using a mortgage broker may be worth thinking about if you'd like guidance through the application process or have more complex loan needs. Whichever way you go is ultimately down to personal preference.

Canstar receives a fee if your loan settles via Finspo.

Important Information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.

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