Realistic Qualifying Criteria

Lenders have their own qualifying criteria they use to determine whether or not to approve a borrower for a mortgage. While some lenders have stricter standards than others, in general, the following guidelines are followed.

Qualifying Criteria Required by Lenders

• Lenders prefer borrowers between 18 and 55 years of age.
• Lenders prefer permanent residents, but exceptions may be made, especially if you are a non-resident married to an Australian citizen.
• Your status. That is, are you borrowing as an individual, company, or trustee of a trust? Individuals have an easier time borrowing for home loans than a company or trust. 
• Lenders want you to have a stable income. If you are a PAYG employee, it’s easy for you to prove your income, and more lenders will be willing to approve your application.
• Lenders will also assess your income, credit score, expenses, assets, liabilities, and the amount of your deposit to determine your eligibility. They will want a secure, steady income, a good credit score, few expenses, a lot of assets, limited liabilities, and at least a 20% deposit. 
• Lastly, they will assess your risk by factoring in the amount you are borrowing, the location of the property, and the reason you are buying the property. 

Applying for a home loan is challenging, especially with lenders having different criteria for their borrowers. As times change and more people become self-employed with non-traditional income sources, some of these qualifying criteria become unrealistic. At Mortgage House, we use realistic qualifying criteria to make it easier to secure a home loan in these changing times. We also assess your situation as a whole to get a clear picture of your financial status to help you find a mortgage that works for you.