home loans
Your home loan should work as hard as you do
Buying the home you’ll actually live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. The loan behind it deserves more thought than picking whichever bank has the lowest number in an ad.
I look at how your loan structure fits your whole financial picture, not just how it looks on settlement day.
Prefer to talk first? Call Durand direct on 0450 275 656
How I can help
With over 23 years in financial services, I bring a depth of understanding to lending, cash flow and long-term strategy that most brokers simply don’t have. Getting a loan approved isn’t the goal. Structuring it so it actually suits your life is.
Loan structure matched to your goals
Offset, redraw or split loans chosen for how you actually live, not a generic package.
Negotiating on your behalf
I compare and negotiate across a panel of 70+ lenders so you are not settling for the first yes.
Pre-approval that holds up
A pre-approval built on realistic numbers, so it still stands up when you find the right property.
Coordination with your team
Working alongside your conveyancer, agent and accountant so nothing falls through the cracks.
Buffer and serviceability planning
Structured so a rate rise or income change does not put you under pressure.
Reviews as life changes
A home loan is not a set and forget decision. I check in as your circumstances evolve.
Securing their Eltham dream home despite a visa roadblock
ames and Debra, with no children yet but a clear plan to start a family down the track, were at the peak of their earning potential. James earned $177,000 a year in a transport industry role that had him travelling regularly across Australia and New Zealand, while Debra earned $144,000 providing software solutions to legal and accounting firms nationally. Together, they were ready to buy their long-term family home, with their heart set on Eltham.
There was one complication. James was not an Australian citizen and held a Partner Visa, which meant not every lender on the market would consider him as an applicant. Many brokers would have taken the first willing lender and called it a win. Instead, with access to a panel of more than 70 lenders, we approached a number of them directly, compared how each treated his visa status, and negotiated between three of the strongest options to find the outcome that actually suited James and Debra, not just the fastest yes.
They found their home for $1,215,000. With a savings pool of $240,000, and stamp duty and government fees generously covered by Debra’s parents, we secured a loan of $972,000, and settlement was completed just 60 days later.
Because James and Debra were in such a strong financial position, several lenders were keen to compete for their business, which meant real negotiating leverage, not just on rate, but on the product structure that actually suited them.
The result was a home in their ideal suburb, a loan structured around their long-term plans, and a foundation in place well before they’re ready to start the next chapter of their family life.
Not just about the interest rate
An owner occupied loan is assessed differently to an investment loan, and lenders generally offer better terms because you’re living in the property. But the rate is only one part of the equation. Loan-to-value ratio, offset and redraw features, fixed versus variable, and how the loan sits alongside your other goals all shape what the loan actually does for you over time. Getting the structure right matters more than shaving a few points off the rate.
It suits you if you are
- Buying your next home to live in, not to rent out
- Upgrading to suit a growing family
- Relocating for work or lifestyle
- Wanting a loan structured for future flexibility, not just today
- Looking for a broker who explains things in plain English
Why clients choose me for owner occupied lending
With over 23 years in financial services, I understand the intersection of lending, cash flow and long-term wealth building better than a broker who only compares rates. I don’t just arrange the loan, I look for the detail in your numbers that makes the difference between a structure that merely gets approved, and one that actually suits the life you’re building.
Not just about the interest rate
An owner occupied loan is assessed differently to an investment loan, and lenders generally offer better terms because you’re living in the property. But the rate is only one part of the equation. Loan-to-value ratio, offset and redraw features, fixed versus variable, and how the loan sits alongside your other goals all shape what the loan actually does for you over time. Getting the structure right matters more than shaving a few points off the rate.
It suits you if you are
- Buying your next home to live in, not to rent out
- Upgrading to suit a growing family
- Relocating for work or lifestyle
- Wanting a loan structured for future flexibility, not just today
- Looking for a broker who explains things in plain English
Why clients choose me for owner occupied lending
With over 23 years in financial services, I understand the intersection of lending, cash flow and long-term wealth building better than a broker who only compares rates. I don’t just arrange the loan, I look for the detail in your numbers that makes the difference between a structure that merely gets approved, and one that actually suits the life you’re building.
How I can help navigate your next move
Buying a home is stressful enough. The process working with me shouldn’t be.
Why professionals work with me
Every lending strategy is delivered by the same person, start to finish, not handed between call centre staff.
23+
Years in financial services
70+
Lenders on panel
5★
Client feedback
1:1
End-to-end service, no handoffs
Home loan FAQs
What is the difference between an owner occupied and an investment home loan?
An owner occupied loan is for a property you intend to live in, while an investment loan is for a property you rent out. Owner occupied loans generally attract lower interest rates because lenders consider them lower risk, but you need to notify your lender if the purpose of the property changes.
How much deposit do I need for an owner occupied home loan?
Most lenders prefer a deposit of at least 20 percent to avoid lenders mortgage insurance, though some will lend with as little as 5 to 10 percent deposit. The right amount depends on your borrowing capacity, the property price, and how comfortable you want your repayments to be.
What loan features should I actually use, offset, redraw, or both?
An offset account holds your savings against your loan balance to reduce interest, while redraw lets you access extra repayments you’ve already made. Which one, or whether you use both, depends on how you manage your cash flow day to day. I’ll walk you through which combination suits your situation.
Can I get pre-approved before I find a property?
Yes, and it’s a smart step in a competitive market. Pre-approval gives you a realistic borrowing figure so you can shop with confidence, though the final approval still depends on the specific property you choose.
What happens if my circumstances change after settlement?
Life changes, and your loan should be able to change with it. Whether it’s a change in income, a new addition to the family, or wanting to make extra repayments, I stay available to review your structure well after settlement day.
How is your approach different from just comparing rates online?
Comparison sites show you a number. I look at your whole financial picture, income, goals, and future plans, then structure a loan around that. With over 23 years in financial services, I focus on the detail that determines whether a loan actually works for you long term, not just on paper.
Related reading
Want to go deeper before you get in touch? Start here.
A guide to buying a house
The essentials to understand before you start house hunting in earnest.
11 strategies to help pay off your mortgage sooner
Practical ways to bring your home loan payoff date forward.
Explore more lending options
An owner occupied loan is often just the beginning. Here’s where else to look.
Equity release
Once you’ve built equity in your home, put it to work for your next goal.
Investment property loans
Thinking beyond your own home? Explore lending for building a property portfolio.
Refinancing solutions
Already have a home loan? See whether a better structure is available.
Ready to talk about your next home loan?
Tell us a bit about what you’re looking to do and we’ll come back with clear, honest guidance on your options.