The Finance Toolkit: What You Should Really Know About Home Loans

At Ralph & Ralph, we know that securing the right finance is as crucial as finding the perfect home. That’s why we’re delighted to welcome mortgage broker Angelo Zvezdakovski of Solara Financial as a guest author with the following blog. With significant experience guiding families, investors and owner–occupiers across Sydney, Angelo shares our commitment to integrity, transparency and truly personalised service.

Angelo’s approach to home loans mirrors our own attention to detail: he swiftly analyses your borrowing capacity, compares offerings from a multitude of lenders, and crafts loan structures built to flex as life evolves—giving you control, confidence and lasting peace of mind.

In this article, Angelo walks through the five essential finance steps every buyer should know before setting a property budget. From starting with your numbers to stress-testing future rate rises and leveraging a broker’s expertise. Discover how the right mortgage partner helps you move from approval to settlement with speed and certainty. Obviously with the help of a good buyers' agent.

Written by Angelo Zvezdakovski

Buying a home is a big step. But before you start scrolling through listings or engaging a buyers agent (sorry Andrew), there’s something even more important to focus on; your home loan.

We believe the right loan strategy is the foundation of smart property buying. Whether you're buying your first home or upgrading, your borrowing decisions today will shape your financial wellbeing for years to come.

Here’s what every buyer should know before they set a property budget.

1. Don’t Start With the Property. Start With Your Numbers.

It’s tempting to find your dream home first and then try to make the numbers work. But it should be the other way around. Start by understanding:

• How much you can borrow (this varies depending on income, expenses, dependents, and credit history)

• How much you can comfortably repay, both now and if rates rise

• What type of loan structure suits your life (fixed, variable, interest-only, or a combination)

Too many buyers focus on the purchase price. Instead, we should focus on the numbers and then look at realistic and possible assets that fit within your lifestyle and affordability.

2. Look Beyond the Interest Rate

While interest rate is important, there are other key factors to compare:

• Loan features: Offset accounts, redraw facilities, repayment flexibility

• Fees & charges: Application fees, annual fees, break costs

• Lender policies: Not all banks treat bonuses, overtime, or self-employed income the same

It’s not about the lowest rate. It’s about the right structure, from a lender that understands your personal situation.

3. Think About Repayments Now and Later

It’s easy to plan for today’s repayments when rates are stable — but what about in two, five, or ten years?

We help clients stress test their borrowing capacity by asking:

• What happens if interest rates go up by 2%?

• What if you take time off for parental leave or travel?

• What if you want to invest or renovate later on?

We don’t believe in maxing out your borrowing just because a bank says you can. We believe in building a buffer so you’re not left scrambling when life changes because it always does.

4. Know That Home Loan Products Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All

Different lenders have different strengths. Some are great for first home buyers. Others shine for investors. And some offer policies tailored to self-employed professionals.

We take the time to understand you and recommend options that:

• Work with your income style

• Maximise cash flow benefits

• Offer flexibility for future plans

It’s a personalised game and we make sure the loan fits your life.

5. Why a Mortgage Broker is Your Right Hand in This Journey

Trying to compare home loans online is like diagnosing your health on Google. You might get lucky but the risk is too high.

When you work with a mortgage broker, they don’t just show you rates. They:

• Analyse your full financial picture

• Compare over 40 lenders across the market

• Strategise how to structure the loan for both today and tomorrow

• Handle all the paperwork and negotiations for you

More than that, we become your long-term finance partner. Need to refinance in two years? Planning an investment purchase next? We’re already there with the roadmap.

Final Thought: The Right Loan Makes All the Difference

A good property with the wrong loan is a costly mistake. But a well-structured loan strategy gives you control, confidence, and peace of mind.

Before you budget. Before you hit open homes. Let’s get your finance foundations right.

Search. Secure. Settle. With Solara Financial.