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First Home Buyer Loans & Financing Sunshine Coast

Buying your first home should feel exciting, not like a full-time job. But let’s be real, between confusing bank talk, strict lending rules, and trying to work out how much deposit you need, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

That’s where we come in. At I Know The Broker (IKTB), we live and breathe the Sunshine Coast lifestyle (literally). We're here to make getting your first home loan simple, clear, and, dare we say it, a little enjoyable. Best of all? We don’t charge you a cent. We only get paid by the lender when your loan successfully settles.

Whether you’re looking to buy in Buderim, Caloundra, Maroochydore or anywhere else in this beautiful pocket of the world, let’s break things down together.

Let’s Make It Simple (and Maybe Even a Little Fun)

First home loan

There’s a lot of info out there, and let’s be honest, most of it is confusing (and kind of boring… unless you’re us, because we love this stuff).

As a first-time buyer, you’re not just after a loan; you’re laying the foundation for your future. That’s where we come in, offering a lending hand through every twist, turn, and (inevitable) curveball on your buying journey.

You’re probably wondering:

  • How much deposit do I need?

  • What can I actually afford?

  • And how do I find a loan that suits me, not just what the banks want?

Because here’s the thing—most loans are built with a one-size-fits-all approach. But you’re not a number in a spreadsheet. You're you, and your loan should reflect that.

We’ll walk you through all the options (including every government grant and incentive you’re eligible for), take care of the paperwork, and make sure you feel informed and in control the whole way through.

We’ll also help you get pre-approved, which gives you way more confidence when making offers in today’s competitive market.

So, if you're ready to move from "just browsing" to "homeowner in the making," you're in the right place.

Why More Sunshine Coast Locals Are Choosing Brokers Over Banks

You might be thinking, "Should I just go straight to the bank?" Here's why most first-home buyers on the Coast are going with brokers (and why they’re glad they did):

  • More options, better outcomes: Banks only offer their own products. We work with over 65 lenders, so we can find what actually suits you.

  • Flexible criteria: Self-employed? New job? Low deposit? No worries. We match you with lenders who actually understand real-life situations.

  • Local expertise: We know the Coast. And we get the laid-back, lifestyle-first mindset that comes with it.

  • Ongoing support: We stick with you from first chat to final settlement (and beyond). You will have a dedicated support person for every step.

  • No upfront cost: Unlike some services, we don’t charge you anything. Our fee comes from the lender once your loan settles.

First Home Buyer Myths (That Could Be Costing You Thousands)

Let’s clear the air:
“You need a 20% deposit to get a home loan.”
Nope. In many cases, you can get into your first home with as little as 5%, in some circumstances even less.
“Without 20% I have to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance.”
Not always. If you’re eligible for the First Home Guarantee Scheme/Family Guarantee Scheme or up and coming Help To Buy Programs you might skip lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI) entirely. There are also many professions that can access loans without LMI with just a 10% deposit.
“Mortgage brokers charge high fees.”
Not us. We’re completely upfront about this—you don’t pay us. We get paid by the lender once your loan settles.
“Only banks have the best rates.”
Wrong again. We often beat the bank’s rates because we have access to exclusive broker-only products.
“If I’ve got a small deposit or non-traditional income, I’ll get rejected.”
Not necessarily. We’ve helped tradies, freelancers, teachers and hospitality workers—all with different incomes—get their first home.

Exactly What You’ll Need to Get Started

Here’s a quick checklist to help you feel ready (don’t stress—we’ll guide you through all of this):

  1. Deposit & savings history – Ideally 5–10%, and we’ll show you how to use grants, rental history or gifted funds too.
  2. Proof of income – Payslips or tax returns (we help self-employed buyers all the time).
  3. ID docs – License, Medicare card, or passport.
  4. Living expenses – Your typical spending, nothing fancy.
  5. Any debts or credit cards – Just so we can paint a full picture.
  6. Property info (once you find it) – If you've already found a place, we’ll handle the next steps.

We also check your eligibility for grants like the $30,000 Queensland First Home Owners' Grant, First Home Buyer Schemes, Boost To Buy, Help To Buy—and we do the paperwork for you.

Real Story: How Brad & Jess Bought Their First Home in Caloundra

Brad (a chippy) and Jess (a local teacher) were renting in Caloundra and assumed they’d need another few years before buying. They had a 7% deposit and weren’t sure they’d qualify—especially since Brad had recently gone out on his own.

After a quick chat with us, we walked them through the FHOG, found a lender comfortable with Brad’s self-employed income, and helped them score a new build near Dicky Beach—with a loan tailored to their lifestyle.

“We thought we’d be renting forever. IKTB made the whole process easy and stress-free—and it didn’t cost us anything!” – Brad & Jess

That’s the power of local experience and genuine help.

How We Actually Help (Step by Step)

We make the process as laid-back as a Sunday at Cotton Tree.

1
You reach out (enquire below—it takes 30 seconds).
2
We chat through your goals and situation (zero pressure).
3
We strategise to find the right lenders based on what’s important for you (higher lend, lower deposit, etc.
4
We handle all the paperwork.
5
You get your home. We get a high five. No stress. No surprises.

Our Services Cost You… Nothing

Let’s make this clear. You don’t pay us. Ever. We’re paid by the lender when your loan settles. So:
  • There’s no cost to you.
  • We have every reason to find you a great loan that suits you.
  • You get expert help, top lenders, and clear advice—for free.
We’ll always be upfront with you. That’s how we roll.

We’re Different (and Local)

We’re not some big corporate name with a Brisbane postcode. We live here. We surf here. We go to the same cafes you do.

We know the difference between Mountain Creek and Twin Waters. And we know the lenders who understand the Coast’s property quirks.

Most of all, we care about helping people from here get into homes here.

Our Service Areas and Locations

Looking to buy your first home on the Sunshine Coast? I Know The Broker offers expert first home buyer loan services in all the top suburbs. Visit our Sunshine Coast office or connect locally at our Noosa, Caloundra, Mooloolaba, or Buderim offices. We're your local mortgage broker for first home buyers in suburbs like Maroochydore, Peregian Springs, Sippy Downs, and Coolum Beach.

Ready to Chat?

Whether you’re dreaming about a home near the beach, in the hinterland, or right in the buzz of Maroochydore, we’re here to make it happen.

Let’s keep it simple, personal, and genuinely helpful.

Make an enquiry today—and let’s get you home.

(No pressure. Just friendly help, the Sunshine Coast way.)

Bonus Tip Before You Go…

Don’t wait until you’ve found a home to speak to us.
The earlier we chat, the better we can position you with lenders. We can help you figure out exactly how much you can borrow, how much you need to have saved, check your credit file, and get you buy-ready sooner.

Buying your first home can be straightforward with the right team by your side. Let’s chat about your goals and create a personalised plan to make your homeownership dreams come true — confidently and strategically.

FAQ

You might be eligible for the

  • $30,000 First Home Owner Grant if you’re buying or building a new home.
  • Stamp duty concessions or the
  • First Home Guarantee Scheme (5% deposit, no LMI),
  • Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee Scheme
  • QLD’s Help To Buy
  • Federal Help To Buy program.

We’ll go through everything with you and even handle the paperwork.

Banks only show you their products, and they have only their policy. We’re across 65+ lenders policies, and we work for you, not the bank. That means more options, better rates, and flexible solutions—especially if your situation isn’t cookie-cutter or simply, doesn’t meet your current banks policy.

Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Our services are completely free to you. We only get paid by the lender after your loan settles. No fees, no pressure, no catch. Just honest, local advice to help you into your first home.

Before is best. Reaching out early means we can get you pre-approved, help you understand your budget, and make sure you’re loan-ready before you fall in love with a place. It also puts you in a stronger position when making an offer.

Absolutely. We work with heaps of lenders who understand non-standard income, especially for tradies, freelancers, and casual workers (very common on the Coast). Don’t count yourself out—we’ll match you with a lender who looks at your full picture, not just a rigid payslip.

There’s great value in suburbs like Baringa, Palmview, Nambour, Yandina, and Bli Bli, especially for new builds or house-and-land packages that qualify for the First Home Owner Grant. We can help you find out which areas line up with your budget and grant eligibility.

Yep, you can. Having debt doesn’t automatically stop you from getting a loan—but we’ll look at your income, repayments, and overall borrowing power. In some cases, we might recommend consolidating or paying down debt first or simply splitting your deposit between reducing debt and going in with a lower deposit. Either way, we’ll guide you through it step by step.

It depends a little on the lender and how quickly you get your docs together, but most of our first-home buyer clients go from pre-approval to settlement in 4–8 weeks. We keep the process moving and handle the paperwork, so you’re never left wondering what’s going on.

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