★★★★★ 4.9 from 240+ Melbourne reviews

Buy Your First Home in Melbourne With Confidence

Smart Loan Expert helps first home buyers across Victoria unlock the First Home Owner Grant, compare 35+ lenders, and get approved faster, with zero broker fees in almost every case.

✦ 60-Second First Home Check

See What You Can Borrow

Answer a few quick questions. No obligation, no impact on your credit score.

Why Smart Loan Expert

First home lending made simple

We translate the jargon, do the legwork, and stay by your side from pre-approval to settlement day.

Grant specialists

We make sure you claim every Victoria first home benefit you're entitled to, including the First Home Owner Grant.

35+ lenders compared

Instead of one bank's rate, we shop hundreds of loans to find the sharpest deal for your deposit and income.

Fast pre-approval

Get a clear borrowing figure quickly so you can bid at that Melbourne open house with total confidence.

Young Melbourne couple receiving keys to their first home
Benefits for First Home Buyers

Everything stacked in your favour

Buying your first place is a big step. We line up the grants, low-deposit schemes and lender policies that get Melbourne first home buyers into the market sooner.

  • Low-deposit options, buy with as little as 5% and avoid LMI where eligible
  • Guidance on the First Home Owner Grant and stamp duty relief in VIC
  • Access to the Federal Home Guarantee Scheme places
  • Plain-English coaching through every form and deadline
Check My Eligibility
Government Support

Victoria grants you shouldn't miss

Real help for real first home buyers. We handle the paperwork so nothing slips through the cracks.

First Home Owner Grant

Eligible buyers of a new home in Victoria may receive a state government grant. We confirm your eligibility with the State Revenue Office Victoria and lodge it correctly.

Stamp Duty Relief

Victoria offers stamp duty concessions for eligible first home buyers. We help you understand what applies to your purchase.

Home Guarantee Scheme

Buy with a smaller deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance through federal guarantee places, subject to availability and eligibility.

One Application, Many Lenders

Access to 35+ Australian lenders

From the big four to specialist and non-bank lenders, we compare hundreds of products to shortlist the right loan for you.

Commonwealth BankWestpacANZNABMacquarieINGBankwestSuncorpBank of MelbourneSt GeorgeBendigo BankAMPPepper MoneyCommonwealth BankWestpacANZNABMacquarieINGBankwestSuncorpBank of MelbourneSt GeorgeBendigo BankAMPPepper Money
How It Works

Our simple process

From first chat to front-door keys, here's exactly what to expect.

01

Free chat

Tell us your goals and deposit. We assess your position and answer every question in plain English.

02

Compare and pre-approve

We shop 35+ lenders, recommend the best fit, and secure your pre-approval so you can shop with confidence.

03

Make your offer

Found the one? We finalise your application, lodge grants, and manage the lender end-to-end.

04

Settle and celebrate

We coordinate settlement and keep reviewing your loan for years so it always stays competitive.

Why Choose Us

Melbourne buyers trust Smart Loan Expert

240+Five-star reviews
35+Lenders on panel
97%Approval rate
$0Fees in most cases
Customer Testimonials

Real Melbourne first home buyers

★★★★★

"As nervous first home buyers we had no idea where to start. The team walked us through the grant, found a sharp rate and we settled in Footscray within weeks. Couldn't recommend them more."

JL
Jess & LiamFootscray, VIC
★★★★★

"They found me a lender that accepted my 5% deposit and helped me avoid LMI. I'm now in my first home in Werribee. Genuinely life-changing service."

AK
Aisha K.Werribee, VIC
★★★★★

"Everything was explained clearly and there were no surprises. Pre-approval was fast and they even lodged our grant for us. Brilliant Melbourne team."

TM
Tom M.Brunswick, VIC
Questions

First home buyer FAQs

How much deposit do I need to buy my first home in Melbourne?
It depends on the lender and your situation. Many first home buyers get in with as little as 5%, and some government schemes let you buy with a smaller deposit while avoiding Lenders Mortgage Insurance. We'll assess your exact position in your free health check.
Am I eligible for the First Home Owner Grant in Victoria?
Eligibility depends on factors like whether you're buying or building a new home, the property value, and residency requirements. Criteria are set by the Victorian Government and change over time, so we confirm the current rules and lodge the grant correctly on your behalf.
How long does pre-approval take?
Timeframes vary by lender and how quickly documents come together, but we work to make it fast. Getting pre-approved early means you can make offers on Melbourne properties with confidence.
Does it cost anything to use Smart Loan Expert?
In almost every case there's no fee for our expertise. We're paid by the lender you choose, and we'll always tell you upfront if any exception applies to your scenario.
Which lenders do you work with?
We have access to 35+ Australian lenders, including the big four banks plus specialist and non-bank lenders. We compare hundreds of products to shortlist the right loan for your deposit, income and goals.

Ready to buy your first Melbourne home?

Start with a free, no-obligation loan health check. In minutes you'll know where you stand and what to do next.

Start My Free Health Check