Home loan guides, in plain English
Long-form explainers on how Australian home loans really work. No product is being sold on these pages. Every guide is general information, dated, and backed by cited sources such as the ABS, APRA and ASIC Moneysmart.
Last updated 1 July 2026 · 6 guides and growing
Loan types
Prime home loans explained
What lenders mean by a prime borrower, how serviceability buffers work, and why a strong file can unlock sharper rates and cashback offers.
Loan typesLow doc loans, explained for the self-employed
How alternative income verification works when you run your own business, what documents lenders accept, and the trade-offs to weigh up.
Loan typesPrivate mortgages and non-bank lending
When short-term private funding is used, how bridging and caveat loans differ from a bank mortgage, and the costs that come with speed.
Loan typesCommercial property loans explained
How finance for shops, offices and warehouses is assessed: lower LVRs, interest cover ratios, lease doc and full doc options, GST, and the costs to weigh up.
Stuck on a word?
Our mortgage glossary defines the terms lenders use, from offset accounts to LMI and comparison rates, one plain sentence at a time.