We are a Mortgage Broking Business based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, specialising in residential lending. We service clients in all parts of the country as well as Expat clients based overseas.
Welcome to Loan Smart and the help you need securing the home of your dreams. I’m Anton Clarke, founder of Loan Smart, and my goal is to ensure that you have the assistance required to make the home or investment buying process simple, streamlined and hassle-free.
Our aim is to ensure you get the best possible loan package for your home buying needs.
Quick Answers
“Choosing a home is one of the largest financial decisions you’ll make, and I believe that you need real, actual help during the process rather than someone just trying to sell you a product. That is where we can help.”
We’re proud of the fact that our clients can reach us at all hours, whether it’s past regular office hours or on the weekend. We don’t keep “bankers’ hours”, and are available seven days per week through the phone or via email. We’re dedicated to providing you with exceptional service, and that means being there when you need us.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
Enabling Growth
We’re proud of the services we offer, the value we provide our clients and the long-term relationships we’re able to form with every successful client. We don’t charge you for our services, and you will not pay more for your loan by using Loan Smart. We as mortgage brokers are paid by the lenders – not you our client.
WHY USE LOAN SMART?
Find the best loan package for you
We can search a large number of loans from a large number of lenders to find the best loan package for you. Your bank can only offer you what they have. If you want to find out if your bank is giving you the best deal, you don’t ask the bank…you ask us.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Making the right decisions
Whether it’s your first home, second home or an investment purchase. Making the right decisions is vital during the home buying process, and going it alone is certainly not advisable. Loan Smart is here to provide the helping hand, guidance, advice and help with your finance needs.
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE
We are able to provide individualised services to help you find the right loan. With many years of experience, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you.
Our Services
I have a belief that “The earlier I can see a client the better off that client will be”. We like to point out that there are many issues and questions you need to think about before you sign a purchase contract.
That is why we take every client through our 7 step process to make sure you have all aspects covered. In many cases you may need to seek advice from your accountant, solicitor or financial advisor but at least you will be armed with what questions to ask.
7 Steps
1) START OF THE PROCESS (HOW MUCH CAN I BORROW?)
This is often one of the first questions we get asked so as part of this process we would cover the following issues:
Income (Self Employed or Salary paid)
Deposit (Savings, Equity, Gift, First Home Owners Grant)
Existing Commitments (Home Loan, Personal Loans & Credit Cards – limit & balance)
Family Situation (Number of Adults and Children)
The power and confidence of Pre-approval
2) WHO WILL OWN THE PROPERTY?
This is one of the most overlooked issues who will own the property, so before you sign a purchase contract you should discuss this issue with your accountant and / or solicitor.
Mr & Ms
Mr Only or Ms Only
Individuals as Trustee for a Discretionary (Family) Trust
Company as Trustee for a Discretionary Trust
Unit Trust
Hybrid Trust
Tenants in Common
Joint Tenants
3) PROPERTY TYPE
As you can appreciate not all properties are created equal and we have highlighted below some of the different types available. Depending on what type of property you are looking to purchase it may be subject to different lending criteria.
Units & Apartments – Size does matter, Studios, Holiday Accommodation, Serviced Apartments & Student Accommodation
Rural Properties – Size does matter, Hobby Farm, Income Producing & Location
Standard Residential
Other important issues include – Environmental (rivers, power cables, recent floods etc) & Multiple dwellings on one title
Vacant Land, Construction, House and Land Packages
4) PRODUCT SELECTION
Before we make any recommendation as to which lender you should consider it is important we look at the loan options available. As with most things in this world we live in – you get what you pay for. And this is also true when it comes to residential loans. The more features and benefits you have with a loan generally (not always) the higher the rate. However if you can use the extra features to pay the loan off quicker it could still be worth considering. Some of the loan types available are:
No Frills (Basic Variable)
Standard Variable (Honeymoon & Fixed Rates)
Flexible Options (Line of Credit, 100% Offset Accounts & Loan Transaction Loans)
5) LENDER SELECTION
Once we have decided on the best loan type we can then look at which lenders will suit your needs some of the points we consider here are as follows:
Credit Policy
Interest Rates
Features and benefits
We provide you with a detailed report with our lender and product recommendations in a format that is easy to understand.
6) APPLICATION PROCESS
Once you have made your decision we then are ready to get the application to the lender ASAP. It is still surprising the number of different elements involve with this part of the process but you don’t need to worry it is our job to deal with it and get your loan approved as soon as possible.
Supporting Documentation
Lender Application – paper based or online lodgement
First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) Application
Deposit Bond Application
Pre-approval through to Full Unconditional Approval
Mortgage Documents & Letter of Offer
Settlement
7) OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Given that buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life it is important that you consider the importance of Insurance.
Building & Contents
Income Protection, Life Insurance, Total & Permanent Disablement insurance & Trauma Insurance
Most people have no problem understanding the need for protecting your home with a good building and contents insurance policy however it’s as equally important to consider what would happen of you died or were injured and unable to work for a long period of time – how would your family survive?
My father lost his sight by the time he was 40 and that was a massive issue for him and our family to deal with but he was smart enough (I wouldn’t tell him that) to have had adequate Life and Income Insurance so we could survive financially.
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE
We provide individualised services to help you find the right loan. With many years of experience, experience, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you.
What Clients
are saying
“Anton, thanks so much for all your help with our loan. Your knowledge and passion is infectious and made it such a pleasure working with you.”
You listened to what we needed, clearly explained our options and the process, followed up each step of the way and delivered a highly professional, yet friendly service. Our requirements weren’t super straight forward, but you delivered. Your extra effort and attention to detail made it so easy and the result has been ideal. We look forward to working with you again soon, when it comes time for investment finance.
Kind regards
– Dave and Mel
Want to speak 1 – 1?
LICENCING DETAILS
Loan Smart Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Representative Number: 397204) is a Corporate Credit Representative of BLSSA Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence Number: 391237).
Anton Clarke (Australian Credit Representative Number: 399113) is a Credit Representative of BLSSA Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence Number: 391237).