From first call to keys: what an Alexandria mortgage broker really does

An Alexandria mortgage broker should take you from first call to keys in a clear, staged process: strategy call, detailed fact‑find and documents, lender choice, application and valuation, formal approval, then pre‑settlement checks and post‑settlement review. At every step, they should stress‑test repayments at roughly current rates plus 3% and keep total home and investment loan repayments under about 30–35% of your after‑tax income, even if a bank would let you stretch further.

A clear step‑by‑step process helps Alexandria buyers move confidently from first call to keys.

Stage 1: The first call – decision in 20 minutes

Your first conversation should feel like a quick strategy triage, not a sales pitch.

In 15–30 minutes you should cover:

• Your goal: buy, refinance, renovate, invest or business‑linked borrowing.
• Rough income, existing loans, savings/equity, credit issues.
• Timeframe: auction this Saturday, 90‑day plan, or longer.

By the end, you should know:

1. Whether your goal is realistic at today’s rates.
2. A ballpark price or loan range.
3. What to do this week (documents, budgets, property brief).

If you want more depth on that first session, use the checklist in Turn Your First Mortgage Broker Meeting Into A Strategy Session.

Stage 2: Fact‑find, documents and safety checks

Next comes a structured fact‑find. This can be online, on a call or in person in Alexandria.

A good broker will ask about:

• Income: salaries, bonuses, overtime, self‑employed income, dividends.
• Debts: credit cards, Afterpay, HECS, car loans, personal loans.
• Living costs: realistic spend vs the bank’s HEM benchmark.
• Risk tolerance: comfort with repayments at higher rates.
• Future plans: kids, schooling, business, upgrades, investments.

Documents you’ll usually need (inner‑south buyers and refinancers)

Most lenders will want:

• ID: passport and/or driver’s licence.
• Income: last 3 months’ payslips and latest PAYG summary, or 2 years’ tax returns and ATO notices of assessment if self‑employed.
• Banks: last 3–6 months of everyday and savings accounts.
• Loans and cards: last 3–6 months of statements.
• Property: contract of sale if you’ve found a place, or current rates notice for a refinance.

For self‑employed and small business owners, also expect BAS, business financials and sometimes an accountant’s letter.

Your broker should then run borrowing calculations using an APRA‑style 3% buffer and check that repayments stay under about 30–35% of your after‑tax income. If they only quote the bank’s maximum limit, push them to show you a safer level.