First Home Buyer Loans on the Sunshine Coast
First home buyer loans for Noosa, Maroochydore, Caloundra, Buderim, and the wider Sunshine Coast. We compare lenders, check grant eligibility, and guide you through every step before you make an offer.
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FIRST HOME BUYER LOANS
A Clear Path to Owning Your First Home
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial commitments you will make, and most buyers start the process without a clear picture of what they can actually borrow, which grants they qualify for, or how lenders assess an application.
ADA Financial Services works with first home buyers across the Sunshine Coast, including Noosa, Maroochydore, Caloundra, Buderim and the surrounding suburbs. We compare lenders, handle the paperwork, check your grant eligibility, and walk you through every step from initial assessment to settlement day. Whether you have a deposit saved, are still building one, or are not sure where to start, we give you a clear and honest picture of your position before you do anything else.
Time-sensitive: The boosted $30,000 Queensland First Home Owner Grant is available for eligible contracts signed by 30 June 2026. From 1 July 2026, it reverts to $15,000. If you are close to signing, this is the window to act. Source: Queensland Revenue Office.
This is general information only. Speak to a licensed broker for advice tailored to your situation.
Who We Work With
First Home Buyers We Work With
The right loan depends on your income, savings, employment type, and the property you are buying, so no two first home buyers are in exactly the same situation. We regularly help:
Buyers purchasing their first owner-occupied home across Noosa, Maroochydore, Caloundra, Buderim and the wider Sunshine Coast
Couples combining incomes to increase their borrowing capacity
Single buyers looking to enter the market with a smaller deposit
Buyers considering a family guarantee loan using a parent’s equity
PAYG employees and self-employed applicants
BORROWING CAPACITY
Understanding your borrowing capacity
Your borrowing capacity is the amount a lender will actually approve, which is rarely the same as the figure an online calculator suggests. It is worked out from your income, existing debts, living expenses, number of dependants, and each lender’s individual credit policy.
Two lenders can assess the same application and return figures that differ significantly, and that gap matters when you are buying in a competitive market like the Sunshine Coast. Here is how we approach it:
We run a full assessment of your financial position before recommending any lender
We check your capacity across multiple lenders, not just one
We factor in credit history, employment type, and any existing commitments
You receive a clear, realistic borrowing figure before you start making offers
FIRST HOME BUYER SCHEMES
Queensland and federal first home buyer schemes
There are four key schemes most Sunshine Coast first home buyers should know about. The summary below is current as of June 2026. For detailed eligibility rules, application process, and worked examples, see our full guides linked under each scheme.
- First Home Owner Grant (QLD) — $30,000 until 30 June 2026, then $15,000. New homes only, total value under $750,000.
- Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme — Buy with a 5 percent deposit, no LMI. Sunshine Coast property cap $1,000,000.
- QLD Stamp Duty Concession — $0 transfer duty on new homes, no value cap. First home buyer, eligible new home or land.
- QLD Boost to Buy (Shared Equity) — Government takes equity to reduce your deposit. Income and property thresholds, limited places.
FIRST HOME BUYER SCHEMES
Queensland and Federal First Home Buyer Schemes
Eligibility criteria apply to every scheme above, and rules can change. We confirm your specific eligibility against current Queensland Revenue Office and Housing Australia guidance before any application moves forward.
First Home Owner Grant (QLD)
A one-off $30,000 tax-free payment for eligible contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026. Reverts to $15,000 from 1 July 2026. Home must be new, total value under $750,000, and you must live there at least six continuous months.
Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
Administered by Housing Australia. Purchase with a 5 percent deposit and avoid LMI, with the government guaranteeing up to 15 percent of the property value. Sunshine Coast price cap is $1,000,000. Applications go through a participating lender.
Transfer Duty Exemption
From 1 May 2025, eligible first home buyers building or buying vacant land pay zero transfer duty, no value cap. For established homes, full exemption applies up to $700,000, partial up to $800,000.
Queensland Boost to Buy (Shared Equity)
The government takes an equity share in your home to lower the deposit and loan you need. Their share rises or falls with the property's market value and is repaid on sale or buy-back. Income and property thresholds apply.
DEPOSIT OPTIONS
Deposit Options and Lenders Mortgage Insurance
Saving a 20 percent deposit is the standard goal, but for many buyers in the Sunshine Coast market, waiting to reach that threshold can mean waiting significantly longer than necessary. Most lenders will consider applications with a deposit as low as five percent, though anything below 20 percent will usually trigger Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
We run through the numbers on each option so you can make an informed decision based on your actual situation.
01
What Is LMI
Lenders Mortgage Insurance is a premium that protects the lender if you default. It does not protect you, and it can add a substantial cost to your loan.
02
Government 5% Deposit Scheme
Qualifying for the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme removes the LMI requirement for eligible buyers with a five percent deposit.
03
Reaching 20 Percent
Reaching the 20 percent deposit threshold through savings, gifts, or a combination of both avoids LMI altogether.
04
Family Guarantee
Using a family guarantee arrangement, where a parent uses equity in their own property to support your application, can also help avoid or reduce LMI.
LOAN STRUCTURES
Loan Structures Explained
The loan structure you choose affects your repayments, flexibility, and overall cost over the life of the loan. Here are the main options and how they compare.
01
Variable Rate
Rate moves with the market, usually allowing extra repayments and offset accounts. Best suited to buyers who want flexibility and may make extra repayments.
02
Fixed Rate
Rate locked for a set period, typically 1 to 5 years. Best suited to buyers who want repayment certainty for a defined window.
03
Split Loan
Part fixed, part variable. Best suited to buyers wanting certainty on a portion but flexibility on the rest.
04
Offset Account
A linked transaction account where your balance reduces the loan amount interest is calculated on. Best suited to buyers with consistent cash balances who want to save interest over time.
Our Process
How the Application Process Works
Most first home buyers have no clear picture of what happens between deciding to buy and receiving the keys. Here is how we work through it with you, step by step.
01
Initial Consultation and Assessment
We go through your income, expenses, savings, and goals in detail. This takes 45 to 60 minutes, in person, by phone, or by video call.
02
Recommendation and Pre-Approval
We assess your borrowing capacity, compare lenders across our panel, and present a written recommendation explaining the product and why.
03
Pre-Approval and Formal Approval
We submit your pre-approval for a working budget. Once you sign a contract, the lender completes valuation and final checks.
04
Settlement
We coordinate with your solicitor or conveyancer and the lender to make sure everything is in order for settlement day.
COMMON MISTAKES
Common Mistakes We Help You Avoid
First home buyers often run into the same issues, usually because they did not know what to watch for. These are the issues we see regularly.
Multiple Lender Applications
Applying to multiple lenders at once, which creates multiple credit inquiries and can lower your credit score
Underestimating Purchase Costs
Underestimating purchase costs beyond the deposit, including transfer duty where applicable, conveyancing fees, building and pest inspections, and moving costs
Borrowing at Maximum Capacity
Borrowing at the very top of their capacity without stress-testing what repayments would look like if interest rates increased
Offering Before Pre-Approval
Making an offer on a property before getting pre-approval, then losing it because finance was not ready in time
WHY ADA FINANCIAL SERVICES
Why Work With ADA Financial Services
We are a specialist lending team based in Noosa, working across the Sunshine Coast and South East Queensland. We work across residential home loans, asset and equipment finance, and commercial lending, which means we understand how different financial situations affect a home loan application.
01
Broad Lender Access
We compare options across a panel of lenders, not just the bank most people walk into. Brokers compare options across multiple lenders, whereas a bank can only offer its own products.
02
No Direct Cost to You
We are paid by the lender at settlement, meaning there is no direct cost to you in most cases, and that fee is disclosed to you upfront in writing.
03
Full Process Support
We stay involved through every stage of the process, not just the initial application, and we explain what you are signing in plain language before you commit.
04
Local Market Knowledge
We are familiar with local property conditions, lender appetite for specific Sunshine Coast postcodes, and how regional buying decisions affect application outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About First Home Buyer Loans
How much deposit do I actually need as a first home buyer in Queensland?
Most lenders require a minimum of five percent of the purchase price as a genuine savings deposit, though individual lender policies vary. If your deposit is below 20 percent, LMI will usually apply unless you qualify for the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. Some lenders also accept gifted deposits or family guarantee arrangements, but conditions apply. We assess your specific situation and identify a practical path forward based on what you have saved and what you are buying.
Can I use the First Home Owner Grant as part of my deposit?
The FHOG is generally paid at settlement or after a build is complete, not before. Because of this, most lenders do not accept the grant as evidence of genuine savings when assessing your deposit. You will still need to show that you have independently saved a minimum deposit. We factor the grant into your overall purchase funding plan and explain exactly how and when it becomes available to you.
What is the difference between pre-approval and formal approval?
Pre-approval is a conditional assessment from a lender indicating how much they may be willing to lend, subject to finding a suitable property and confirming your financial position has not changed. Formal approval comes after you have signed a contract on a specific property and the lender has completed their valuation and final credit checks. Pre-approval is not a guarantee of formal approval, but it gives you a working budget and strengthens your position when making an offer.
Does using a mortgage broker cost me anything?
In most cases, no. At ADA Financial Services, our fee is paid by the lender as a commission once your loan settles, and this is disclosed to you in our Credit Proposal document before you proceed. In some specialist lending situations a broker fee may apply, and this is always discussed with you before any work begins.
How long does the process take from consultation to settlement?
Timelines vary depending on the lender, your application, and the property transaction itself. A straightforward pre-approval can come through within a few business days with some lenders. Formal approval typically takes seven to fourteen business days after a signed contract. Settlement is usually set by your contract terms, commonly 30 to 45 days after signing. We keep you updated throughout so you always know where your application stands.
Which first home buyer grants can I combine on the Sunshine Coast?
Many eligible buyers can combine the First Home Owner Grant, the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, and the stamp duty concession on a new home, since each is administered separately. Applying for one does not automatically affect the others, but the schemes have different property and eligibility rules, and applying in the wrong order can cause problems. We map out which schemes you may be eligible for and coordinate the applications. Eligibility criteria apply.