FIRST HOME BUYERS
Your first home without the guesswork
Deposits, grants, LMI and pre-approval, explained by a first home buyer specialist
Talk to a broker$2bn
Settled
5,500+
Clients
50+
Lenders
5.0
350+ reviews
Meet your specialist
Fedi El-Daher
First Home Buyer Specialist
Fedi spent 6 years in banking while studying corporate finance at the University of Adelaide. Fedi gets to help people through some of life's biggest moments, working with first home buyers and first-time investors to make their property goals a reality.
Your first home is a big moment, and it should feel like one, not like sitting an exam you didn't study for. Deposits, pre-approvals, LMI, stamp duty: a lot to take in all at once. Our first home buyer specialists cut through the jargon. We tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Ask us anything, as many times as you like. We're here to get you in the door, keys in hand, feeling good about how you got there.
How much deposit do I need for my first home?
A 20% deposit is the textbook answer, but it is not the only path. Smaller deposits, guarantor support and government schemes all exist for a reason. We look at what you have saved, what you can borrow and what the realistic routes are, then give you a straight answer.
What first home buyer grants can I get in SA?
Between the First Home Owner Grant, stamp duty relief on new homes in SA and Commonwealth deposit schemes, there is genuine help available for eligible buyers. The criteria change and the details matter, so we check what applies to you rather than letting you guess from a government website.
Do I have to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance?
LMI protects the lender, not you, and it can add real cost to a low-deposit purchase. Sometimes paying it is the right move; sometimes there are better routes.
Read our LMI guideOur clients’ stories
What happens when you reach out
- 1
The conversation: 15 minutes on your goals, savings, income and timeline, and you leave knowing where you stand.
- 2
The plan: borrowing range, deposit strategy, which grants and schemes may apply, and what to do next.
- 3
The application: packaged properly across 50+ lenders and managed through to approval.
- 4
Settlement and beyond: we stay with you after the keys, because client for life is how we work.
Straight from Fedi
“Fedi has been such a great support from day 1, from getting our dream house to assisting us with refinancing our property. He made the workflow smoothly and patiently explained thoroughly the process. He easily lend his time whenever me and my partner unsure of certain things. We had such a great and positive experience working with him. We will recommend to our friends who planned to have a future home. Looking back, it was a great decision in choosing Brokerage & Co and have Fedi as our broker.”
“Fedi is the best, he keeps in contact through the entire experience. Any questions we have Fedi has the answers and if he didn't know he found out. Very happy with the Brokerage & Co staff and with Fedi!”
“Service like no other! I've never had a mortgage broker so on the ball. Great advice, friendly and professional.”
Get in touch
Tell us where you’re headed
Free guide
Buying off the plan
What buying off the plan and building new means for your finance: staged payments, valuations and the timeline, in plain English. Leave your name and email and the guide is yours.
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Worth knowing
How much deposit do I need to buy my first home?
It depends on the property, the lender and your circumstances. Many buyers purchase with less than a 20% deposit, and options such as guarantor support or government schemes can change the picture entirely. We map your realistic options in the first conversation. This is general information only.
What grants and schemes exist for first home buyers in SA?
South Australia offers support for eligible first home buyers, including grants and stamp duty relief on new homes, and Commonwealth schemes can reduce the deposit hurdle. Eligibility criteria change, so we check what applies to you at the time and point you to the official sources.
What does a broker cost a first home buyer?
Nothing. Some brokers charge for their advice; we expressly do not. We are paid by the lender you settle with, and we disclose how that works up front.
How long does buying a first home take?
From first chat to keys is different for everyone, but understanding your position typically takes 1 conversation, and preparing a strong application is usually measured in weeks, not months. The market side, finding the home, is up to you and your agent.
Can I buy with a guarantor?
Guarantor arrangements let an eligible family member support your purchase, which can reduce or remove the deposit hurdle and LMI. They carry real obligations for the guarantor, so we explain both sides plainly before anyone signs anything.
In your corner
Tell us what you're working toward and we will map the path. 1300 941 446, or book a time that suits.