thinking of buying or refinancing in 2025?
Buy Your Home the Right Way Not the Bank’s Way
Our Sydney clients enjoy lower interest rates, faster approvals and increased borrowing capacity
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rated 5/5 By Sydney Homeowners
5 Costly Mistakes Buyers Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Buying a home is exciting, but it’s easy to stumble into pitfalls that cost you money or delay your dreams.
Here are five common home-buying finance mistakes – and how to avoid them with a smarter approach:
Going Straight to Your Bank First – Mistake:
Many buyers rush to their everyday bank for a home loan, not realising they might be missing out on better deals elsewhere.
Banks will only offer their own products, which may not suit you best.
Better Way: Shop around! An independent broker (like us) compares dozens of lenders to find a lower rate and a loan tailored to your needs.
This means you get more choice and potentially save thousands in interest, right from the start. We work for you, not one bank, so you get the best option, not a one-size-fits-all deal.
Not Getting a Fully Assessed Pre-Approval – Mistake:
House hunting without a solid pre-approval can lead to heartbreak.
A quick online or bank pre-approval isn’t always reliable, they are computer generated and open to many errors.
Better Way: Get a broker pre-approval before you even bid on a property.
We make sure your pre-approval is rock-solid – the lender fully checks your documents and commits to an amount. That way, when you find “the one,” you can confidently make an offer knowing your finance is ready to go. No nasty surprises, just peace of mind.
Underestimating the True Costs – Mistake:
It’s not just the purchase price – many home buyers forget about stamp duty, legal fees, inspections, and moving costs.
Underestimating these expenses can strain your budget at the worst time.
Better Way: Plan beyond the deposit. We walk you through all the costs involved in buying a home so you’re fully prepared. With our guidance, you’ll budget for taxes, fees, and insurance upfront.
The result? No last-minute stress – just a smooth journey into your new home, knowing you’ve covered everything.
Missing Out on First-Home Buyer Perks – Mistake:
There are fantastic government grants and incentives for buyers in NSW (especially first-home buyers), but it’s easy to miss them if you’re not aware.
Many buyers either don’t realise what they qualify for, or get bogged down in the paperwork.
Better Way: Take advantage of every benefit. We stay on top of all the latest grants, schemes and concessions – and we’ll let you know which ones you can use. From the First Home Owner Grant to stamp duty concessions, we handle the details and application process.
That’s potentially tens of thousands saved, and a boost to your deposit or budget, just by using the help that’s out there for you.
Doing It All Alone (Skipping Expert Advice) – Mistake:
Buying a home and sorting a loan on your own can feel overwhelming. Without guidance, you might choose the wrong loan, overlook better options, or make costly errors in the process. It’s a lot for even experienced buyers to navigate solo.
Better Way: You don’t have to go it alone. Working with a trusted mortgage broker means having an expert in your corner every step of the way. We explain everything in plain language, handle the paperwork, and negotiate with lenders on your behalf. It’s like having a personal home loan coach – ensuring you avoid pitfalls, get a great deal, and actually enjoy the journey to home ownership. With our support, you can move forward with confidence.
Good news: With the right team behind you, all these mistakes are 100% avoidable. We help Sydney home buyers do it the right way – so you can save money, save time, and step into your new home with a smile.
How Our Simple Home Loan Process Works
We’ve streamlined the home loan process into three easy steps:
1. Schedule a Free Consultation
Start by clicking the “Get My Free Home Loan Plan” button and answering a few quick questions about your goals (it takes 2 minutes!).
You’ll then book a free consultation at a time that suits you. In this initial chat (phone or video call), we listen to understand your situation – whether you’re a first-home buyer, upgrading, or refinancing – and answer any questions you have. (No cost, no obligation at all.)
2. Get Your Personalised Loan Strategy
After our chat, we get to work comparing loans from our panel of 30+ banks and lenders.
We consider interest rates, features, fees, and any eligible grants or incentives. Within 24 hours, we’ll present you with a personalised home loan plan with the best options for you.
We’ll explain the pros and cons of each choice clearly, so you can make an informed decision. Once you’re happy, we’ll secure a pre-approval so you can shop for your home with confidence.
3. Secure Your Loan & Buy with Confidence
Found your dream home? Congrats! 🎉 We’ll handle the entire loan application process for you – paperwork, negotiations, and all - and keep you updated at every step.
Our team liaises with the lender, the real estate agent, and the conveyancer to ensure a smooth settlement. You just focus on packing and planning your move. By settlement day, you’ll have a great home loan locked in, and the keys will be in your hand! Even after you’ve bought, we’re here for any questions and will check in over time to make sure your loan remains competitive as life goes on.
Limited to 10 booked appointments per week
Real Clients, Real Results
Don’t just take our word for it – here’s what some of our happy
Sydney homeowners have to say about working with us:
"Better than what our bank of 15 years offered"
"Nathan is an excellent mortgage broker, he took his time to understand our circumstances and came back to us very quickly with a number of options that were much better than what our bank of 15 years were offering us. Very pleased and couldn't recommend them highly enough!"
- Alice C
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Made it easy from start to finish"
"We’ve used multiple brokers in the past and Nathan has been by far the best. He was very thorough and broke things down for us, making things easy from start to finish. Highly recommend!"
- Nicole A
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"He helped me get the best outcome"
"What I really appreciated was how he took the time to understand my situation and found a loan that worked perfectly for me very quickly. His advice was clear and practical, and you can tell he really cares about helping his clients get the best outcome."
- Jared B
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👋 Hi, I'm Nathan, founder of Linton Finance.
Buying a home is one of life's biggest decisions...so you deserve someone who genuinely gets it.
That's why I started Linton Finance. As a homeowner, investor and father, I know how important it is to have a mortgage broker who's transparent, reliable and 100% focused on YOUR goals.
Just straightforward, personalised service from a Sydney-based broker committed to getting you the outcome possible.
Lower Interest Rates
We negotiate with 30+ banks who actively compete for your business.
We submit special pricing requests that can secure rates well below advertised offers. We know exactly which fees can be waived and which lenders are hungry for business this month.
24 Hour Pre-approvals
When you make an offer at auction with our pre-approval, you do so with complete confidence.
Our approvals are fully assessed before we lodge – not just by a computer algorithms – meaning you can bid confidently up to your maximum amount.
Higher Borrowing Power
We routinely help clients access significantly more borrowing capacity than online calculators suggest.
In this competitive market this can add up quickly when your trying to snap up your dream property and you need that little bit extra to secure it for your family.
Avoid Costly Loan Mistakes – Speak to a Mortgage Expert Now
Why Choose Us Instead
of a Bank?
We work for you, not the banks
access over 30+ lenders in one place
24-hour turnaround times
personalised service
no cost to you
Flexible meeting times
we stand behind our results
Lowest Rate Guarantee*
Our team hunts down exclusive pricing discounts on every single application, negotiating rates banks won't advertise publicly. Find a better home loan rate elsewhere? We'll hand you a $250 Westfield Gift Card... That's how confident we are about getting our clients the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand home loans are complicated, our goal is to simplify the process.
Q: Why should I use a mortgage broker instead of going directly to my bank?
A: When you go to a bank, you’re only seeing one set of products and rates – the bank’s own.
A mortgage broker gives you access to dozens of lenders all at once. We do the comparison shopping for you to find the best deal, which often means a lower interest rate or a loan structure better suited to you.
Plus, we handle the paperwork and negotiation for you. In short: a broker works for you (not the bank) to save you time, money, and hassle. It’s like getting a personal adviser who filters through all the options and guides you to the right one, rather than being sold one bank’s product.
And if your bank’s loan does turn out to be the best, we can secure that too – the key is, you get to see all your options and make an informed choice.
Q: How much does your service cost?
Our home loan service is completely free for clients. You pay $0 to use us as your broker. We receive a commission from the lender after your loan settles (this is how most brokers are paid, and we’ll disclose that to you). No hidden fees, no catch. Because we’re paid by virtually all lenders, it doesn’t matter to us which one you choose – except that we want the best outcome for you, so you’ll be happy and refer your friends. You get all the benefits of professional advice and loan shopping, without paying a cent.
Q: I’m a first-home buyer. Will you help me with the grants and schemes I’ve heard about?
A: Absolutely! We love working with first-home buyers and making sure you take advantage of every assistance available. We’ll explain all the government incentives like the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme (stamp duty concessions in NSW), First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, and any new programs that pop up.
If you’re eligible, we’ll guide you through the application process for these grants and incorporate them into your home loan strategy. This way, you can boost your buying power and reduce your costs as much as possible. Our goal is to make your first purchase financially smart and as stress-free as can be.
Q: What happens when I click “Get My Free Home Loan Plan”?
Great question! When you click that button, You’ll be able to schedule your free consultation call at a time that suits you.
During the consultation, we’ll discuss your situation in detail, answer your questions, and outline how we can help.
There’s no obligation to proceed further – but if you choose to, we’ll move straight into crafting your personalised loan plan. Essentially, clicking that button is the first step to potentially saving thousands and making your home-buying journey easier!
Q: Can you help me if I haven’t found a property yet or am just starting to look?
A: Definitely. In fact, talking to us early is one of the best things you can do. We’ll help you figure out how much you can borrow safely (so you know your budget), get you pre-approved so you’re ready to act fast when you do find the right place, and give you guidance on anything you can do to strengthen your position (like tips for saving a deposit or improving your borrowing capacity).
There’s no pressure to buy immediately – we’re here to support you at any stage of the journey, whether you’re just dreaming or already house-hunting every Saturday. Early advice can save you a lot of time and stress later on, and you’ll feel more confident knowing you have a plan in place.
Secure Your Free Home Loan Consultation
Answer a few questions to book a time with a broker today
Linton Finance Pty Ltd ABN: 30 676 911 210. Credit Representative #560299 is authorised under Australian Credit License #389087
Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Our lowest guarantee is valid for clients of Linton Finance where they find a rate for the same loan product in which they would be eligible.