Question 1

Are you a bank or a mortgage broker?

Accepted Answer

We are an independent, Australia-wide mortgage broker - not a bank. GS Capital is accredited with over 50 lenders, including big banks and specialist non-banks. That means we compare the whole market to find the right loan for your situation, rather than pushing one institution's products.

Question 2

How are you paid? Is there any upfront fee?

Accepted Answer

GS Capital charges no upfront fees for standard residential loan applications. We are paid a commission by the lender when your loan settles. Because our income depends on your successful settlement, our interests are fully aligned with yours.

Question 3

I'm self-employed. Can I still get a home loan?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Self-employed borrowers can qualify for home loans, but the assessment process is different to PAYG employees. Instead of payslips, lenders assess your business income through tax returns, BAS statements, bank statements, and other financial evidence to verify repayment capacity.

Question 4

My tax return doesn't show much income - can I still borrow?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many self-employed borrowers have tax returns that show minimal profit after deductions. In these cases, we use Alt Doc (alternative documentation) pathways. Instead of relying solely on tax returns, lenders may accept BAS statements, business bank account records, and a letter from your accountant confirming your income position.

Question 5

Can I use foreign income to buy property in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A growing number of Australian lenders accept foreign income, provided it meets their criteria around currency, country of origin, employment stability, and documentation. GS Capital will guide you to the lenders that accept your specific income profile.

Question 6

I'm an Australian expat - can I get a home loan while living overseas?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We regularly help Australian expats secure home loans using their foreign-sourced income. Lending criteria vary by country of residence and income currency, but many specialist lenders offer dedicated expat products. Australian expatriates and permanent residents generally do not need FIRB approval.

Question 7

I have a bad credit score - can I still get a home loan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Getting a mortgage with bad credit in Australia is possible through specialist non-conforming lenders. These lenders assess beyond the credit score, factoring in your income stability, deposit size, and the nature of the credit event.

Question 8

How fast can I get pre-approval?

Accepted Answer

At GS Capital, once we have all required documents, conditional pre-approval is often possible in as little as 24 hours. We start with a 4-hour initial assessment so you know where you stand fast. In the broader market, most lenders issue pre-approvals within 1-5 business days.

Question 9

What is the difference between conditional and unconditional approval?

Accepted Answer

Conditional approval confirms how much a lender is willing to lend you, subject to verification of your documents and a satisfactory property valuation. Unconditional approval is the final stage, granted once the lender has fully assessed the specific property and all conditions have been met.

Question 10

Should I choose an offset account or a redraw facility?

Accepted Answer

Both reduce the interest you pay, but they work differently. An offset account is a separate transaction account linked to your loan - the balance offsets your loan amount when interest is calculated. A redraw facility allows you to make extra repayments directly into the loan and then access those extra funds later. Which is better depends on whether you plan to convert the property to an investment; offset is generally preferred for tax purposes.

Question 11

Do you help first-home buyers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. First-home buyers are a core part of our business. We help you understand your borrowing capacity, navigate government schemes like the First Home Guarantee (allowing purchase with as little as a 5% deposit), and find the best loan structure to get you into your first home.

Question 12

Is there any obligation when I request a free assessment?

Accepted Answer

None whatsoever. The free Borrowing Capacity Assessment is a no-strings-attached conversation. You walk away with a clear understanding of your borrowing power and the options available to you - with zero commitment required.

FAQ

Find the answer by topic

Questions about general & how we work

Are you a bank or a mortgage broker?

What does a mortgage broker actually do?

How are you paid? Is there any upfront fee?

Which areas do you cover in Australia?

What makes GS Capital different from going to a bank directly?

Get a broker to review your options.

FAQ

Find the answer by topic

Questions about general & how we work

Are you a bank or a mortgage broker?

What does a mortgage broker actually do?

How are you paid? Is there any upfront fee?

Which areas do you cover in Australia?

What makes GS Capital different from going to a bank directly?

Get a broker to review your options.