5.0 from 220 Reviews
Buying property is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. It is also one of the most confusing, if you do not have the right people in your corner. At Zella Money, we work with people who are ready to buy a home and want to feel genuinely informed and supported throughout the process, not just handed a rate and wished good luck.
Understanding your borrowing power
Before you can buy a home, you need to know what you can actually afford. Your borrowing capacity is shaped by your income, your existing debts, your living expenses, and the deposit you have available. These numbers interact in ways that are not always obvious, and lenders assess them differently. At Zella Money, we take the time to understand your full financial picture before recommending anything. That means you go into your property search with a realistic buying budget, not an optimistic guess.
The deposit question comes up early for almost everyone. Whether you are looking to buy with a 5% deposit, a 10% deposit, or a full 20% deposit, the structure of your loan will look different in each case. A smaller deposit could mean Lenders Mortgage Insurance applies, unless you qualify for a scheme or waiver that removes it. We explain what applies to your situation clearly, so there are no surprises when you are ready to purchase property.
Getting pre-approved before you buy
A pre-approval is one of the most practical things you can do before you start attending inspections. It tells you what a lender is willing to consider lending you, based on your current financial position. It also puts you in a stronger position when you find the right place, because you are not scrambling to arrange finance after the fact. At Zella Money, we help you get pre-approved in a way that is thorough and considered, not rushed. We look at which lenders are most likely to view your situation favourably, and we prepare your application properly from the start.
The buying timeline matters too. If you are buying at auction, you need finance confirmed before you bid. If you are buying via private sale, you typically have a short window to arrange unconditional approval after signing. Understanding the purchase timeline before you find a property means you are not caught off guard when things move quickly.
What type of property are you buying?
Whether you want to buy a house, buy an apartment, buy a unit, or buy a townhouse, the loan structure and lender appetite can vary. Some lenders are more cautious about certain property types or postcodes. Some have restrictions on high-density buildings or properties under a certain size. Knowing this before you fall in love with a place saves a lot of heartache. Zella Money looks at the property alongside your finances, so you are not making assumptions about what will and will not be approved.
If you are looking to buy your first home, there are also government schemes and incentives worth understanding. The First Home Buyers service at Zella Money covers this in detail, including the Home Guarantee Scheme and the First Home Super Saver Scheme, which could make a meaningful difference to your deposit position and your buying costs.
Buying an investment property
Not everyone buying property is buying a place to live. If you are looking to buy an investment property or make your first investment purchase, the loan structure, deposit requirements, and lender considerations are different again. Zella Money works with investors at every stage, from those making their first investment purchase to those expanding their property portfolio. We help you understand how buying with finance for an investment property fits into your broader financial picture, without overstepping into territory that belongs to your accountant or financial adviser.
The buying costs people forget
The purchase price is just one part of what it costs to buy property. Stamp duty, legal fees, building and pest inspections, loan establishment costs, and moving expenses all add up. Understanding your full purchase costs before you commit to a purchase budget means you are not stretched thin at settlement. At Zella Money, we walk through the likely buying costs with you early, so your numbers are realistic from the start.
If you are ready to buy a home and want support from people who genuinely care about getting it right, Zella Money is here for that conversation. We work with buyers purchasing a house, apartment, townhouse, or unit, whether it is a first home purchase or a subsequent property purchase. Our role is to help you buy successfully, with a loan that suits your situation and a process that does not leave you feeling lost.
Getting a home loan can feel overwhelming. It doesn't have to be. At Zella Money, we've built a process that keeps you informed, supported, and confident at every step. Here's how we work together.
Let's Have a Chat: Everything starts with a conversation. We take the time to understand where you are right now, where you want to go, and what matters most to you. No pressure, no jargon. Just an honest discussion about your situation and your goals.
We Dig Into the Detail: Once we know what you're working towards, we take a closer look at your finances. Income, expenses, savings, existing debts. We look at the full picture so we can give you advice that's actually relevant to your life, not just a generic answer.
We Research the Market: With a clear picture of your situation, we search across a wide panel of lenders to find options that genuinely suit you. We're not tied to one bank or one product. Our job is to find the right fit, not the easiest one.
We Walk You Through Your Options: We present a shortlist of suitable loan options and explain each one in plain language. Rates, fees, features, flexibility. We cover it all so you can make a decision you feel good about. No hard sell, ever.
We Handle the Application: Once you've chosen the loan that works for you, we take care of the paperwork. We prepare and lodge your application, liaise with the lender, and keep things moving. You don't need to chase anyone.
We Keep You in the Loop: From application through to approval, we stay in regular contact. You'll always know where things stand. If the lender needs anything extra, we handle it quickly and let you know what's happening and why.
Settlement and Beyond: Approved and settled? We're still here. We check in after settlement to make sure everything's running smoothly, and we stay available as your circumstances change. One loan is just the beginning.
Ready to talk to the team? We're excited to meet you! Shoot though an enquiry and we'll get back to you ASAP!
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We used Jaclyn the Senior Finance Broker to buy our first home and she was amazing! She is so knowledgeable, made us feel valued and turned our dream into a reality. Can not recommend her enough! Shout out to Sal as well the Settlements Manager who helped make settlement nice and simple.
Chris Fallon
I cannot recommend Zella highly enough! Charlotte and the wider Zella team were with us every step of the way! They truly had our backs in securing the best home loan for our family. Prompt, informative and easy to deal with! Thank you so much for all your hard work!! xx
Olivia Jolliffe
I had a great experience with Zella from start to finish. The team was friendly and made our refinance super easy. Highly recommend!
Casey Sharrock
Huge thanks to Tara and her team! Highly recommend !
Maddie B
Bought my first home through Zella and so so glad I did! Georgia was extremely helpful from the start and patient with answering all of my stupid questions. Thank you again for everything!
Christine Untario
I really appreciated working with the team. They were really efficient, no question went unanswered and they were lovely to work with. I felt in good hands!
Jane Eldershaw
Tell us a little about where you're at, and we'll take it from there.
Let's chat
For most standard lending appointments, no. We're paid by the lender once your loan settles. In rare cases where applications are highly complex, a fee may apply, but we'll always discuss and disclose this with you upfront.
Yes. We use bank-grade security systems and are fully compliant with Australian privacy regulations. Your information is treated with the highest level of care and confidentiality.
Absolutely. We assist clients across Australia and have a thorough understanding of different state and territory regulations, grants and incentives.
We keep communication clear and simple. Your broker will be available via email and phone, and we manage documentation securely through our electronic portal. Your initial meeting can be held over the phone or by video call, depending on your preference. We're always just a message away if you need support.
To get started, we'll need documents such as identification, proof of income (like payslips or tax returns), details of your assets and liabilities, and statements for any existing loans or credit facilities. Your broker will give you a personalised checklist so you always know what's needed.
Your borrowing capacity depends on factors like your income, expenses, existing debts, credit history and the policies of individual lenders. We'll work with you to assess your position and give you a clear understanding of what's achievable.
Yes. Our brokers stay across all available incentives, including first home buyer grants, stamp duty concessions and guarantee schemes. If you're eligible, we'll help you understand how to apply and make the most of these opportunities.
Absolutely. We specialise in guiding first-home buyers through the process with tailored advice, clear communication and plenty of support along the way.
Banks offer their own products. We offer you options. As your broker, we take the time to understand your goals and financial circumstances before searching across a broad panel of lenders to find solutions that genuinely suit you. We also stay across the latest policies, grants and niche lender options that could make a real difference to your outcome.
We conduct a credit check early in the process to help us best assist you. Your score is safe with us. If you have any concerns about your credit history, please speak with your broker — we're here to support you.
Pre-approvals generally last between three and six months, depending on the lender. We'll guide you through the timeline and help you refresh your approval if your property search takes a little longer than expected.
Once your loan is formally approved, we'll guide you through the settlement process. We work closely with your solicitor or conveyancer to ensure all requirements are met and everything runs smoothly right through to settlement day.
Definitely. We understand the nuances of self-employed income and have extensive experience presenting applications for business owners in a way that resonates with lenders.
No. In addition to home loans, we also assist with commercial lending, investment loans, refinancing and asset finance. Whatever your finance goals, we're ready to support you.
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