Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost me?
Nothing for residential home loans. The lender pays us a commission at settlement, and the rate you get through us is the same one you'd get going to that lender directly.
Are you part of a franchise or owned by a bank?
Neither. We're 100% locally owned and family run. No head office, no bank ownership, and no pressure to favour any particular lender.
Do I have to come into the office?
Not at all. You're more than welcome to — but we run a fully digital service, so phone and video work just as well.
Do you only work with people in Dubbo?
No. Dubbo and the Central West is home, but we look after clients right across Australia.
Will you do a credit check at the first appointment?
No. We can assess your borrowing capacity without touching your credit file. Nothing is submitted anywhere without your approval.
Does checking my borrowing capacity affect my credit score?
No. A broker assessment isn't a credit enquiry. Applying directly to several lenders yourself does leave marks on your file.
Do I have to do all four steps?
Yes. Each one gives us something we can't get elsewhere, and lenders require all of it.
Why do you need our identification?
There's a great deal of fraud and identity theft about, and we have to be certain we're dealing with the person we think we are. If someone copied your ID and applied for a loan in your name, you'd have every right to be furious — so we verify identity properly at the start. It's also a legal requirement for anyone arranging credit.
Why do you need all of our bank statements?
Lenders require them, and they're looking at more than the balance. Statements show whether payments are being missed or accounts running overdrawn. They confirm the income on your payslips is actually landing in your account. They reveal any debt repayments that weren't disclosed. And they show a pattern of saving and how you manage money day to day, which is often what tips a marginal application over the line.
Why can't I just send my bank statements as a PDF?
Two reasons, and the first has changed a great deal recently. AI can now produce fake bank statements that are extremely convincing, so a growing number of lenders no longer accept PDFs or paper copies at all — they want data that has come directly from the bank. The second reason is your own security. Emailing statements sends your account numbers, balances and full transaction history across an unsecured network, and those are exactly the emails fraudsters and hackers go looking for. Frollo avoids both problems. It's accredited under the Australian Government's Consumer Data Right, you never share your banking password with anyone, and once you've given a one-time consent through your own bank's login we can retrieve the statements directly. It's quicker for you and a great deal safer.
How much deposit do I need for a house in Dubbo?
Potentially as little as 5% under the First Home Guarantee, with no LMI. Without a scheme, most lenders want at least 5% plus costs, and 20% avoids LMI entirely. We'll tell you what's realistic for your income and savings.
What costs are there besides the deposit?
Conveyancing of $1,500 to $2,500, a building and pest inspection of $400 to $800, transfer and registration fees, rates adjustments and home insurance. On a $600,000 purchase, allow $3,000 to $5,000 on top of your deposit. Stamp duty is often nil for eligible first home buyers, which is the single biggest saving.
Are there still income limits?
No. They were removed on 1 October 2025.
Should I sell before I buy?
Financially it's the safer order, because you know exactly what you have to spend and you're not carrying two loans. The downside is finding somewhere to live in between. If the right property appears first, bridging finance is what makes buying first possible.
How often should I review my home loan?
Every two years is a sensible habit, and always when a fixed rate is coming to an end.
Can I use the equity in my home to buy an investment?
Yes, and it's the most common way people fund a first investment purchase. How much you can release depends on your property's current value and what you still owe.
Do I pay the full repayment during construction?
No. You pay interest only on what's been drawn down, so repayments start small and increase at each stage. Full principal and interest repayments begin once the build is complete.
How long do I need to be self-employed before I can get a home loan?
Most lenders want two years. Some will consider one year with a strong profile, and a few will look at less with alt doc lending. It depends on your industry and whether you were doing similar work as an employee beforehand.
Can I take over the mortgage on my own?
Only by refinancing it into your sole name, which means qualifying for the loan on your own income. A lender can't simply remove a name from an existing loan. Finding out early whether that's achievable is the single most useful thing you can do.
