01What changes in Sydney
ASIC requires mortgage brokers to act in the consumer’s best interests and give the consumer priority where interests conflict. Moneysmart says consumers should check the broker’s credit licence or representative record, ask which lenders can and cannot be accessed, understand commissions and direct fees, and compare why each option is suitable. A Sydney funnel should therefore lead with the person’s needs rather than “lowest rate” creative and should explain panel limits before the appointment.
For first-home enquiries, the current NSW assistance scheme can provide a full or partial transfer-duty benefit for eligible transactions within its property-value bands, but eligibility also turns on ownership history, people buying together, citizenship or permanent residence, occupancy and transaction details.
The form can ask whether the prospect wants the official eligibility pathway checked; it cannot add a presumed saving to the deposit or borrowing figure. Parramatta, Penrith, Liverpool and the Sutherland Shire can involve different purchase ranges and property types, but loan suitability is still individual.
Refinancers need the existing balance, remaining term, rate, fees, fixed-period or discharge details and goals compared with the proposed loan. Extending the term can reduce repayments while increasing total interest, so any saving headline must disclose the comparison basis.
