Your next home loan in Australia, planned around your move
Upsizing for a growing family, moving closer to work or downsizing for an easier life? We help you line up the finance, the timing and the equity in your current home so the move runs smoothly.
- Bridging finance options
- Use equity you have built
- Buy and sell with less stress
Making your next home loan in Australia work
Buying your next home is a different puzzle from buying your first. You probably have equity in your current property, an existing loan with its own features and costs, and the tricky question of whether to buy or sell first. We look at all of it together. That means reviewing your current loan, estimating the equity you can realistically use, and working out the total you will need once stamp duty, agent fees, moving costs and any break costs are counted. You can test some numbers on our borrowing calculator first. We work with upgraders, movers and downsizers right across Australia, by phone, email or Google Meet.
If you find the right home before your current one sells, bridging finance can cover the gap. The lender looks at your peak debt, which is your existing loan plus the new purchase, and your end debt once the sale proceeds are applied. Interest is often capitalised during the bridging period, and you will need a realistic plan to sell within the lender's timeframe. Some people prefer to sell first and rent briefly, or negotiate a longer settlement. We lay out the pros and cons of each approach so you can choose with open eyes.
Sometimes the simplest option is to keep your current loan. Many lenders let you port a loan to a new property, which can avoid discharge fees or fixed-rate break costs, although it only works if settlement dates line up and the loan still suits you. In other cases, moving to a new lender gives you better features or pricing for the bigger loan. If you are not moving just yet, refinancing can free up equity for a renovation instead. Either way, we compare the options side by side.
Buy with a 2%–5% deposit
Eligible first home buyers can buy with 5% down, and eligible single parents with 2%, with no lenders mortgage insurance under the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. Price caps apply.
How we make moving house simpler
Clear bridging numbers
We calculate your peak debt, end debt and likely interest during the bridging period, so you know exactly how much buffer you need before committing to a purchase.
Equity put to work
We estimate the usable equity in your current home and show how it can fund a deposit, cover costs or reduce the size of your new loan.
Port or switch compared
We compare keeping and porting your existing loan against moving to a new lender, including fees, break costs and the features you want to keep.
Timing that lines up
We work with your agent and conveyancer on settlement dates, so your sale and purchase are coordinated and you are not caught paying for two homes longer than necessary.
Downsizing handled gently
For downsizers, we look at whether a smaller loan, or no loan at all, fits your retirement plans, and we suggest talking with your financial adviser where it matters.
One team, start to finish
The same team manages your sale proceeds, discharge of the old loan and settlement of the new one, so nothing falls between the cracks during a busy move.
Situations we help with
Every situation is different. If yours isn't listed, ask us anyway. Chances are we've seen it before.
Check my optionsHow your move comes together
Review what you have
We look at your existing loan, its features and any fixed-rate break costs, and estimate your property's value to work out how much usable equity you have.
Choose buy-first or sell-first
We model bridging finance, selling first and porting your loan, showing the cost, risk and timing of each approach so you can pick the one that suits you.
Approval before you commit
We arrange pre-approval for the new loan, and bridging finance if needed, so you can make an offer or bid with a clear budget and a solid plan.
Coordinate two settlements
We work with your agent, conveyancer and lenders to line up the sale, the purchase and the discharge of your old loan as closely as possible.
Settle in and review
Once you have moved, we tidy up any bridging balance with your sale proceeds and review the new loan so it stays competitive in the years ahead.
What to prepare for your next loan
Having these ready speeds everything up. Don't worry if something's missing; we'll tell you exactly what each lender needs.
Run the numbers first- Recent statements for your current home loan
- Details of any fixed-rate period and its end date
- Payslips or, if self-employed, recent tax returns
- Your latest council rates notice
- An agent's appraisal of your current home
- Statements for other debts and credit cards
- The signed sale contract, once you have one
- The contract of sale for the home you are buying
Next Home Loans: your questions answered
How does a bridging loan work?
A bridging loan lets you buy a new home before your current one sells. The lender combines your existing loan and the new purchase into a peak debt, then expects the sale proceeds to reduce it to an end debt within a set period. Interest is often added to the bridging portion rather than paid monthly. Lenders apply different time limits and conditions, so we compare them before you commit.
Should I sell my house first or buy first?
Selling first gives you certainty about your budget, but you may need to rent or negotiate a long settlement. Buying first means you can secure the home you want, but you may need bridging finance and carry extra interest until you sell. The right choice depends on your equity, how quickly homes sell in your area and your appetite for risk. We model both options with your real numbers.
Can I take my existing home loan to a new property?
Many lenders allow loan portability, which means you keep the same loan and move the security to your new home. This can avoid discharge fees and fixed-rate break costs. It usually requires the sale and purchase to settle on the same day, and the lender will reassess the new property and possibly your finances. We check whether porting is available on your loan and whether it is actually the better option.
How much equity can I use from my current home?
Usable equity is generally the portion of your property's value a lender will lend against, minus what you still owe. Many lenders lend up to 80% of the value without lenders mortgage insurance, and sometimes more with it. The lender will also check that you can afford repayments on the total debt. We estimate your usable equity using a current valuation and your income, then show how it can fund your next purchase.
Will I have to pay stamp duty on my next home?
In most cases, yes. First home buyer exemptions and concessions generally do not apply if you have owned a home before, so stamp duty is a major cost to plan for when you upgrade. Each state and territory has its own rules and some other concessions, such as for eligible pensioners, and the rules change from time to time. We build stamp duty into your budget and suggest confirming the details with your conveyancer.
What happens to my fixed-rate loan if I sell my house?
If you pay out a fixed-rate loan early, the lender may charge a break cost to cover its loss when interest rates have moved since you fixed. The amount depends on the remaining fixed term, the loan balance and market rates at the time. Porting the loan to your new home may avoid it. Before you sign a sale contract, we request a break cost estimate from your lender so there are no surprises.
You might also need
Refinancing
A thorough review of your current loan, with a switch recommended only when savings outweigh the costs of moving.
ExploreConstruction Loans
Finance for land and new builds, with progress payments released to your builder at each stage of construction.
ExploreInvestment Loans
Investment lending structured for cash flow and future growth, from your first rental property to a larger portfolio.
ExplorePlanning your next move?
Talk to us before you list or bid, and we will map out the finance, timing and equity for your next home.