Find the constraint and grow past it
Home, investment and commercial loans
Each page shows how our accounting, bookkeeping, loans and advice fit together for that industry.
Lender policies and LMI waivers for your profession.
Xero Platinum Partner
1,000+ clients helpedShehan’s story →
← Home Loans & Finance
A home for all your first home buyer needs.
Buying your first home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. You deserve a mortgage broker who takes the time to understand your situation, explains every option clearly, and stays by your side long after settlement.
Best Interests Duty
60+ lenders compared
Reviews after settlement
In short:Elephant Advisory helps Melbourne first home buyers work out what they can borrow, which grants and schemes apply and which of our 60+ lenders suits them, then stays with you through settlement and beyond.
Led by Gavin Hepponstall, Director & Head of Finance · Credit representative 570731.
At a glance
60+
Lenders on our panel
BID
Best Interests Duty: we must act for you, not the bank
1 team
Broker and accountants under one roof
Our Values
Getting into your first home is a milestone. We help you get there with confidence.
Buying your first home involves more moving parts than most people expect. Grants, pre-approvals, lender policies, deposit requirements, and loan types all need to be understood before you make the biggest financial commitment of your life. Here is how we simplify it. Together, it is FIRST.
Related services: Home loan pre-approval, House and land package loans, Home loans
01
Forthright
We tell you exactly where you stand from the very first conversation. No false promises, no inflated expectations. Just honest advice you can make real decisions with.
02
Informed
From government grants to loan types, we explain every option available to you so you always know what is happening and why before you commit to anything.
03
Responsive
The right property does not wait. We stay available and act quickly so finance is never the reason you miss the home you want.
04
Structured
We structure your first loan with your long-term property goals in mind so your first purchase sets the foundation for everything that comes after it.
05
Trusted
This is the biggest financial commitment most people ever make. We treat it with the seriousness it deserves and build the kind of relationship where you can always pick up the phone.
TOP LENDERS WE WORK WITH
With over 60+ lenders on our panel, some you've never heard of.
As a mortgage broker, we are governed by our 'Best Interest Duty', which ensures that we are looking out for you, your needs and goals versus a banks bottom line.
What we help with
Getting your first home loan right changes everything.
The finance services first home buyers rely on to understand their options, access grants, and get into the market with confidence.
01
Home Loan Pre-Approval
We secure a fully assessed pre-approval so you can bid at auction and make offers knowing your finance is ready and backed by a real credit review, not just a system check.
02
First Home Buyer Grants
We identify every government grant and scheme you are eligible for, from the First Home Guarantee to stamp duty concessions, and factor them into your loan strategy from the start.
03
Home Loans
We compare home loan products across 60+ lenders to find the right rate, features, and structure for your situation, whether you need a low deposit option, an offset account, or a fixed rate.
04
Construction Loans
Building your first home? We are construction loan specialists too. We manage the finance from pre-approval through every progress payment so the build stays on track financially.
05
House and Land Packages
We handle both the land loan and the construction loan so the entire house and land process is coordinated correctly and you can focus on designing the home you want.
06
Property Wealth Planning
Your first home is the start of your property journey, not the end. We help you look beyond the purchase and map out a long-term plan for building wealth through property from here.
The process
How it works
01
Free chat
Tell us where you are now and what you want to achieve.
02
Borrowing and lender comparison
We assess your borrowing power and compare suitable lenders.
03
Pre-approval and application
We handle the paperwork and keep your application moving.
04
Settlement and reviews
We stay in your corner, from settlement to regular loan reviews.
Our Solution
If these problems sound familiar, you're not alone.
The struggles most first home buyers face and exactly how we fix them.
Without Elephant
No idea how much I can borrow
Unsure which grants I qualify for
Losing properties because finance isn't ready
Overwhelmed by lenders and loan types
Broker disappears after settlement
With Elephant Advisory
Clear borrowing capacity from day one
Every grant and scheme identified upfront
Fully assessed pre-approval, ready to move
60+ lenders compared, explained clearly
With you long after the keys are handed over
“At Elephant Advisory, we make the first home buying process as straightforward as possible so you can focus on finding the right home, knowing the finance is completely taken care of.”
Free tools
Run the numbers first
Your finance expert
Meet your broker
Gavin Hepponstall
Director & Head of Finance
Gav is the person you want in your corner when it comes to property finance. After years in banking and motor trade finance, he joined Elephant early and never looked back. He’s passionate about combining property and finance to help clients achieve their goals through tailored financial structuring, and he’s very serious about snacks at meetings.
FAQ
Let's clear a few things up.
No jargon, no runaround - just honest answers.
Most lenders require a minimum 5% deposit, though 20% avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Government schemes like the First Home Guarantee allow eligible buyers to purchase with as little as 5% without paying LMI. We assess your situation and identify every option available to you.
There are several initiatives available in Victoria including the First Home Guarantee, the Victorian Homebuyer Fund, the First Home Owner Grant, and stamp duty concessions. Eligibility depends on your income, the property value, and whether it is a new or established home. We map out exactly what you qualify for as part of our process.
Yes, every time. Pre-approval tells you your budget, gives you confidence to make offers, and signals to agents that you are a serious buyer. We secure a fully assessed pre-approval, not a system-generated one, so it carries real weight when you find the right property.
A fixed rate locks in your repayments for a set period, giving you certainty. A variable rate moves with the market and typically offers more flexibility including offset accounts and the ability to make extra repayments. The right choice depends on your goals and how long you plan to stay in the property.
From initial consultation to formal approval typically takes three to four weeks depending on the lender and your application. We prepare everything thoroughly before submitting so the process moves as quickly as possible.
Yes. We review your loan regularly to make sure your rate stays competitive and check in on your financial progress. Your first home is just the beginning of the journey.
Home Loans & Property
Read before you apply
Interest rates history in Australia: the cash rate since 1990
How the RBA cash rate has moved since 1990, from the 17.5% peak to the 0.10% low and back up to 4.85% in November 2026, and what each move means for your repayments.
How Much Can I Borrow on My Salary? (2026 Examples)
Rough borrowing power from $60k to $200k salaries in Australia, how banks work it out, and the small things that cut it.
How Lender Policies Affect How Much You Can Actually Borrow
Different lenders, different rules. Learn how lender policy shapes your borrowing capacity.
Related services
Find out what you can borrow, free.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261.
Credit Guide
← Home Loans & Finance
A home for all your first home buyer needs.
Buying your first home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. You deserve a mortgage broker who takes the time to understand your situation, explains every option clearly, and stays by your side long after settlement.
Best Interests Duty
60+ lenders compared
Reviews after settlement
In short:Elephant Advisory helps Melbourne first home buyers work out what they can borrow, which grants and schemes apply and which of our 60+ lenders suits them, then stays with you through settlement and beyond.
Led by Gavin Hepponstall, Director & Head of Finance · Credit representative 570731.
At a glance
60+
Lenders on our panel
BID
Best Interests Duty: we must act for you, not the bank
1 team
Broker and accountants under one roof
Our Values
Getting into your first home is a milestone. We help you get there with confidence.
Buying your first home involves more moving parts than most people expect. Grants, pre-approvals, lender policies, deposit requirements, and loan types all need to be understood before you make the biggest financial commitment of your life. Here is how we simplify it. Together, it is FIRST.
Related services: Home loan pre-approval, House and land package loans, Home loans
01
Forthright
We tell you exactly where you stand from the very first conversation. No false promises, no inflated expectations. Just honest advice you can make real decisions with.
02
Informed
From government grants to loan types, we explain every option available to you so you always know what is happening and why before you commit to anything.
03
Responsive
The right property does not wait. We stay available and act quickly so finance is never the reason you miss the home you want.
04
Structured
We structure your first loan with your long-term property goals in mind so your first purchase sets the foundation for everything that comes after it.
05
Trusted
This is the biggest financial commitment most people ever make. We treat it with the seriousness it deserves and build the kind of relationship where you can always pick up the phone.
TOP LENDERS WE WORK WITH
With over 60+ lenders on our panel, some you've never heard of.
As a mortgage broker, we are governed by our 'Best Interest Duty', which ensures that we are looking out for you, your needs and goals versus a banks bottom line.
What we help with
Getting your first home loan right changes everything.
The finance services first home buyers rely on to understand their options, access grants, and get into the market with confidence.
01
Home Loan Pre-Approval
We secure a fully assessed pre-approval so you can bid at auction and make offers knowing your finance is ready and backed by a real credit review, not just a system check.
02
First Home Buyer Grants
We identify every government grant and scheme you are eligible for, from the First Home Guarantee to stamp duty concessions, and factor them into your loan strategy from the start.
03
Home Loans
We compare home loan products across 60+ lenders to find the right rate, features, and structure for your situation, whether you need a low deposit option, an offset account, or a fixed rate.
04
Construction Loans
Building your first home? We are construction loan specialists too. We manage the finance from pre-approval through every progress payment so the build stays on track financially.
05
House and Land Packages
We handle both the land loan and the construction loan so the entire house and land process is coordinated correctly and you can focus on designing the home you want.
06
Property Wealth Planning
Your first home is the start of your property journey, not the end. We help you look beyond the purchase and map out a long-term plan for building wealth through property from here.
The process
How it works
01
Free chat
Tell us where you are now and what you want to achieve.
02
Borrowing and lender comparison
We assess your borrowing power and compare suitable lenders.
03
Pre-approval and application
We handle the paperwork and keep your application moving.
04
Settlement and reviews
We stay in your corner, from settlement to regular loan reviews.
Our Solution
If these problems sound familiar, you're not alone.
The struggles most first home buyers face and exactly how we fix them.
Without Elephant
No idea how much I can borrow
Unsure which grants I qualify for
Losing properties because finance isn't ready
Overwhelmed by lenders and loan types
Broker disappears after settlement
With Elephant Advisory
Clear borrowing capacity from day one
Every grant and scheme identified upfront
Fully assessed pre-approval, ready to move
60+ lenders compared, explained clearly
With you long after the keys are handed over
“At Elephant Advisory, we make the first home buying process as straightforward as possible so you can focus on finding the right home, knowing the finance is completely taken care of.”
Free tools
Run the numbers first
Your finance expert
Meet your broker
Gavin Hepponstall
Director & Head of Finance
Gav is the person you want in your corner when it comes to property finance. After years in banking and motor trade finance, he joined Elephant early and never looked back. He’s passionate about combining property and finance to help clients achieve their goals through tailored financial structuring, and he’s very serious about snacks at meetings.
FAQ
Let's clear a few things up.
No jargon, no runaround - just honest answers.
Most lenders require a minimum 5% deposit, though 20% avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Government schemes like the First Home Guarantee allow eligible buyers to purchase with as little as 5% without paying LMI. We assess your situation and identify every option available to you.
There are several initiatives available in Victoria including the First Home Guarantee, the Victorian Homebuyer Fund, the First Home Owner Grant, and stamp duty concessions. Eligibility depends on your income, the property value, and whether it is a new or established home. We map out exactly what you qualify for as part of our process.
Yes, every time. Pre-approval tells you your budget, gives you confidence to make offers, and signals to agents that you are a serious buyer. We secure a fully assessed pre-approval, not a system-generated one, so it carries real weight when you find the right property.
A fixed rate locks in your repayments for a set period, giving you certainty. A variable rate moves with the market and typically offers more flexibility including offset accounts and the ability to make extra repayments. The right choice depends on your goals and how long you plan to stay in the property.
From initial consultation to formal approval typically takes three to four weeks depending on the lender and your application. We prepare everything thoroughly before submitting so the process moves as quickly as possible.
Yes. We review your loan regularly to make sure your rate stays competitive and check in on your financial progress. Your first home is just the beginning of the journey.
Home Loans & Property
Read before you apply
Interest rates history in Australia: the cash rate since 1990
How the RBA cash rate has moved since 1990, from the 17.5% peak to the 0.10% low and back up to 4.85% in November 2026, and what each move means for your repayments.
How Much Can I Borrow on My Salary? (2026 Examples)
Rough borrowing power from $60k to $200k salaries in Australia, how banks work it out, and the small things that cut it.
How Lender Policies Affect How Much You Can Actually Borrow
Different lenders, different rules. Learn how lender policy shapes your borrowing capacity.
Related services
Find out what you can borrow, free.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261.
Credit Guide
← Home Loans & Finance
A home for all your first home buyer needs.
Buying your first home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. You deserve a mortgage broker who takes the time to understand your situation, explains every option clearly, and stays by your side long after settlement.
Best Interests Duty
60+ lenders compared
Reviews after settlement
In short:Elephant Advisory helps Melbourne first home buyers work out what they can borrow, which grants and schemes apply and which of our 60+ lenders suits them, then stays with you through settlement and beyond.
Led by Gavin Hepponstall, Director & Head of Finance · Credit representative 570731.
At a glance
60+
Lenders on our panel
BID
Best Interests Duty: we must act for you, not the bank
1 team
Broker and accountants under one roof
Our Values
Getting into your first home is a milestone. We help you get there with confidence.
Buying your first home involves more moving parts than most people expect. Grants, pre-approvals, lender policies, deposit requirements, and loan types all need to be understood before you make the biggest financial commitment of your life. Here is how we simplify it. Together, it is FIRST.
Related services: Home loan pre-approval, House and land package loans, Home loans
01
Forthright
We tell you exactly where you stand from the very first conversation. No false promises, no inflated expectations. Just honest advice you can make real decisions with.
02
Informed
From government grants to loan types, we explain every option available to you so you always know what is happening and why before you commit to anything.
03
Responsive
The right property does not wait. We stay available and act quickly so finance is never the reason you miss the home you want.
04
Structured
We structure your first loan with your long-term property goals in mind so your first purchase sets the foundation for everything that comes after it.
05
Trusted
This is the biggest financial commitment most people ever make. We treat it with the seriousness it deserves and build the kind of relationship where you can always pick up the phone.
TOP LENDERS WE WORK WITH
With over 60+ lenders on our panel, some you've never heard of.
As a mortgage broker, we are governed by our 'Best Interest Duty', which ensures that we are looking out for you, your needs and goals versus a banks bottom line.
What we help with
Getting your first home loan right changes everything.
The finance services first home buyers rely on to understand their options, access grants, and get into the market with confidence.
01
Home Loan Pre-Approval
We secure a fully assessed pre-approval so you can bid at auction and make offers knowing your finance is ready and backed by a real credit review, not just a system check.
02
First Home Buyer Grants
We identify every government grant and scheme you are eligible for, from the First Home Guarantee to stamp duty concessions, and factor them into your loan strategy from the start.
03
Home Loans
We compare home loan products across 60+ lenders to find the right rate, features, and structure for your situation, whether you need a low deposit option, an offset account, or a fixed rate.
04
Construction Loans
Building your first home? We are construction loan specialists too. We manage the finance from pre-approval through every progress payment so the build stays on track financially.
05
House and Land Packages
We handle both the land loan and the construction loan so the entire house and land process is coordinated correctly and you can focus on designing the home you want.
06
Property Wealth Planning
Your first home is the start of your property journey, not the end. We help you look beyond the purchase and map out a long-term plan for building wealth through property from here.
The process
How it works
01
Free chat
Tell us where you are now and what you want to achieve.
02
Borrowing and lender comparison
We assess your borrowing power and compare suitable lenders.
03
Pre-approval and application
We handle the paperwork and keep your application moving.
04
Settlement and reviews
We stay in your corner, from settlement to regular loan reviews.
Our Solution
If these problems sound familiar, you're not alone.
The struggles most first home buyers face and exactly how we fix them.
Without Elephant
No idea how much I can borrow
Unsure which grants I qualify for
Losing properties because finance isn't ready
Overwhelmed by lenders and loan types
Broker disappears after settlement
With Elephant Advisory
Clear borrowing capacity from day one
Every grant and scheme identified upfront
Fully assessed pre-approval, ready to move
60+ lenders compared, explained clearly
With you long after the keys are handed over
“At Elephant Advisory, we make the first home buying process as straightforward as possible so you can focus on finding the right home, knowing the finance is completely taken care of.”
Free tools
Run the numbers first
Your finance expert
Meet your broker
Gavin Hepponstall
Director & Head of Finance
Gav is the person you want in your corner when it comes to property finance. After years in banking and motor trade finance, he joined Elephant early and never looked back. He’s passionate about combining property and finance to help clients achieve their goals through tailored financial structuring, and he’s very serious about snacks at meetings.
FAQ
Let's clear a few things up.
No jargon, no runaround - just honest answers.
Most lenders require a minimum 5% deposit, though 20% avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Government schemes like the First Home Guarantee allow eligible buyers to purchase with as little as 5% without paying LMI. We assess your situation and identify every option available to you.
There are several initiatives available in Victoria including the First Home Guarantee, the Victorian Homebuyer Fund, the First Home Owner Grant, and stamp duty concessions. Eligibility depends on your income, the property value, and whether it is a new or established home. We map out exactly what you qualify for as part of our process.
Yes, every time. Pre-approval tells you your budget, gives you confidence to make offers, and signals to agents that you are a serious buyer. We secure a fully assessed pre-approval, not a system-generated one, so it carries real weight when you find the right property.
A fixed rate locks in your repayments for a set period, giving you certainty. A variable rate moves with the market and typically offers more flexibility including offset accounts and the ability to make extra repayments. The right choice depends on your goals and how long you plan to stay in the property.
From initial consultation to formal approval typically takes three to four weeks depending on the lender and your application. We prepare everything thoroughly before submitting so the process moves as quickly as possible.
Yes. We review your loan regularly to make sure your rate stays competitive and check in on your financial progress. Your first home is just the beginning of the journey.
Home Loans & Property
Read before you apply
Interest rates history in Australia: the cash rate since 1990
How the RBA cash rate has moved since 1990, from the 17.5% peak to the 0.10% low and back up to 4.85% in November 2026, and what each move means for your repayments.
How Much Can I Borrow on My Salary? (2026 Examples)
Rough borrowing power from $60k to $200k salaries in Australia, how banks work it out, and the small things that cut it.
How Lender Policies Affect How Much You Can Actually Borrow
Different lenders, different rules. Learn how lender policy shapes your borrowing capacity.
Related services
Find out what you can borrow, free.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261.
Credit Guide
Phone
OFFICE HOURS
Mon to Fri: 8.30am - 6.00pm
By appointment only.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261. Accounting and tax services are provided by Elephant Tax Pty Ltd (ABN 39 626 563 755), bookkeeping by Elephant Bookkeeping Pty Ltd (ABN 49 682 979 139), digital marketing by Elephant Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 72 692 273 091) and offshore staffing by Elephant Teams Pty Ltd (ABN 24 656 874 789).
Phone
OFFICE HOURS
Mon to Fri: 8.30am - 6.00pm
By appointment only.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261. Accounting and tax services are provided by Elephant Tax Pty Ltd (ABN 39 626 563 755), bookkeeping by Elephant Bookkeeping Pty Ltd (ABN 49 682 979 139), digital marketing by Elephant Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 72 692 273 091) and offshore staffing by Elephant Teams Pty Ltd (ABN 24 656 874 789).
Phone
OFFICE HOURS
Mon to Fri: 8.30am - 6.00pm
By appointment only.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261. Accounting and tax services are provided by Elephant Tax Pty Ltd (ABN 39 626 563 755), bookkeeping by Elephant Bookkeeping Pty Ltd (ABN 49 682 979 139), digital marketing by Elephant Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 72 692 273 091) and offshore staffing by Elephant Teams Pty Ltd (ABN 24 656 874 789).