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How Do Brokers Work?

How do brokers work?

Mortgage brokers in Australia are professionals who act as intermediaries between borrowers (homebuyers/property owners) and lenders (banks and financial institutions) to help individuals secure home loans or mortgages.

The primary role of a broker is to assist clients in finding the most suitable mortgage product that meets their financial needs and objectives.

 

Did you know?

3 out of 4 (75%) people looking for a home or investment loan in Australia now go through a mortgage broker.

Brokers offer honest advice and recommendations in your best interests. They will find you the best deal suited towards your specific needs, and have access to hundreds of loan products rather than just two or three you might have with your bank.

A brief description on the process for obtaining a loan through Smyth Loan Co:

1

Initial Consultation:

Upon contacting Smyth Loan Co, Jason and his team will conduct an initial consultation to understand your financial situation, borrowing needs, preferences, & objectives.

2

Research & Comparison:

After gathering the necessary information from you including basic personal details, employment history, assets, liabilities & living expenses, the Smyth Loan Co Team will research and compare mortgage products from various lenders in our panel or network. โ€จWe have access to a wide range of lenders, including major banks, credit unions, and non-bank lenders such as mortgage funds.

3

Recommendations:

With our user-friendly online platform, you can access our services anytime, anywhere. No need to schedule in-person meetings or visit multiple banks; everything can be done from the comfort of your home.

 

4

Application Submission:

Once you have decided on a particular loan or mortgage product, we will complete the application and compile the necessary documentation for lodgement. โ€จThere can be quite a few items a bank asks for on this step.

5

Liaisingย with Lenders:

Smyth Loan Co will then submit your application to the lender of your choosing, liaising an as intermediary between yourself and the lender during the assessment process.โ€จThere may be several phone calls or emails during this process. We are generally pretty thorough and in some cases donโ€™t have any issues raised by a bank at all from submission to approval.

6

Approval & Settlement:

As soon the lender approves your application, Jason & his team will notify you immediately. We will then assist in finalising the signing of loan documentation and any requirements such as insurance, guiding you through the settlement process and funding of your loan.

Remuneration of Mortgage Brokers in Australia:

Mortgage brokers in Australia typically receive remuneration in the form of commissions paid by banks or lenders for the writing of a loan, after settlement.

These commission payments are not paid directly by you as a borrower to a broker, but are paid by the bank as a referral of your business.ย 
Banks generally have large margins, or make lots of money on any given loan (i.e. the difference in what it costs them to provide the money, & the rate they charge you to repay it), which is where these commission payments are generally paid from.

There are two main sources of commission generally paid:

1. Upfront Commission: When a mortgage broker successfully settles a home loan for a borrower, the lender pays them an upfront commission. This commission is usually a percentage of the loan amount. The percentage can vary depending on the lender and the specific mortgage product, with payments made by a bank 2 x months proceeding settlement.
These commissions are fully repayable by a broker-to-a-bank should the loan be repaid within a certain timeframe โ€“ In most cases it is within 2 years from settlement. Keep this in mind and contact us if thinking about making any changes to your loan within the first 1-2 years.

2. Trail Commission: In addition to the upfront commission, mortgage brokers may also receive a trail commission, which is an ongoing payment. The trail commission is calculated based on the outstanding loan balance and is paid to the broker for the duration of the loan.

Remember to always speak with us beforehand should you be looking to do anything that may affect your loan.

 

What will it cost me if I do a loan through Smyth Loan Co?

It all depends on what you need us to do and how much work is involved.

Our initial consultations are free however we normally do have a $300+ GST Administration Fee should we proceed with an application to a lender. This fee covers the time and cost for us to prepare your loan application with the bank and submit. Every application is different and normally takes us up to a day to prepare from when we hold all of your information. Lending requirements and compliance obligations since the banking royal commission and best interest duties are substantial.

We try to provide banks with as much relevant information as possible from the get go, in return for a quick decision and approval.
We hate wasting time on unnecessary phone calls or emails.
As per the picture – we ‘get s#~t done.’

For complex borrowing situations i.e. self-employed, trusts, multiple investment properties or income streams, SMSF, or Government Schemes we may apply a higher upfront charge and/or brokerage due to the added requirements in vetting the situation and subsequent time required to process this information as thoroughly as possible for a quick response from a lender.

We will always disclose any fees prior to undertaking work on your behalf & disclose in a written credit quote.

Complaints

Our internal dispute resolution scheme

We hope you are delighted with our services, but if you have any complaints you should first notify your credit assistance provider.

If the complaint can’t be resolved then please contact our Internal Complaints Officer using the details in the Key Information section above.
You should explain the details of your complaint as clearly as you can. You may do this verbally or in writing. When we receive a complaint, we will attempt to resolve it promptly.
In cases where your complaint will take longer than 30 days to resolve, we will notify you in writing.

Our external dispute resolution scheme

If we do not reach an agreement on your complaint, you may refer the complaint to an ASIC Approved External Dispute Resolution (EDR) Scheme.
Our external dispute resolution provider is specified in the image across from this text.
External dispute resolution is a free service established to provide you with an independent mechanism to resolve specific complaints.
You can obtain further details about our dispute resolution procedures.

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One last thing:

It’s important to note that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates mortgage brokers to ensure that they act in the best interests of their clients and provide appropriate advice.

Since the remuneration structure involves commission-based earnings, there have been discussions about potential conflicts of interest. As a result, regulations have been introduced to promote transparency and ensure brokers prioritise the client’s interests when recommending mortgage products.

Smyth Loan Co most certainly agrees with these rules & will always put your interests above everything else.

Ready to make the move?

Get in Touch
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Hereโ€™s to the legends we call Dad.

Happy Fatherโ€™s Day!

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Spring can bring plenty of new properties onto buyersโ€™ radars.

Before spending every Saturday at open homes, it can help to have a clearer idea of your borrowing position.

A pre-approval can give you an indication of how much a lender may be prepared to lend, subject to its conditions, and help you set a more realistic property budget.

Get your finance sorted before you start house hunting. Contact us today!

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The loan that suited you when you first took it out may not be the best fit today.

Your income, goals, property value and lender options may have changed since then.

A home loan review can help you look at your rate, repayments, loan features and overall structure to see whether there may be a more suitable option available.

Reach out to book a home loan review.

Credit criteria, fees and charges apply. All lending is subject to approval.

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For homeowners, mortgage repayments may remain relatively steady for now. For home buyers, a rate hold can provide a little more certainty around borrowing conditions and potential repayments while planning your next move.

If youโ€™re unsure what this means for your home loan or property plans, message us today.

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The RBA has decided to hold the cash rate, keeping it at 4.35%.

The decision gives the RBA more time to assess how current interest rates are affecting inflation, household spending and the broader economy.

For homeowners, mortgage repayments may remain relatively steady for now. For home buyers, a rate hold can provide a little more certainty around borrowing conditions and potential repayments while planning your next move.

If youโ€™re unsure what this means for your home loan or property plans, message us today.

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For homeowners and investors: Shifting property values could affect your equity, refinancing options and future plans.

Letโ€™s chat about what the latest market movement could mean for you.

Credit criteria, fees and charges apply. Lending is subject to approval.

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Property values across Australia fell 0.7% in July, marking the biggest monthly drop since December 2022.

Higher interest rates, tighter borrowing capacity and lower consumer confidence are putting more pressure on buyer demand across the country.

For buyers: Softer prices may mean more choice and greater room to negotiate.

For homeowners and investors: Shifting property values could affect your equity, refinancing options and future plans.

Letโ€™s chat about what the latest market movement could mean for you.

Credit criteria, fees and charges apply. Lending is subject to approval.

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An established home may offer convenience, certainty and a faster move-in timeline.

Building a new home may give you more choice, modern features and the chance to create a space that suits your lifestyle from the start.

The right path will depend on your budget, borrowing capacity, preferred location, available land, timeframe and overall goals.

Reach out to discuss your home loan and construction finance options.

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Saving for a home deposit can feel like a big task, but knowing your numbers can make the goal feel more manageable.

It may help to understand:
- How much deposit you may need.
- Whether you may be eligible for schemes.
- How much you may be able to borrow.

Get in touch with us today to explore your options.

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Message us today to understand what options may be available based on your situation.

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