What Does a Mortgage Broker Do? The FINANS Way, Step by Step.
Most brokers start at the rate.
We start three steps earlier.
We work out your structure, whose credit rules it fits, and what they'll lend. With Finans Brokers, rate is the last conversation, never the first.
First, we work out what is true
We ask about your specific financial situation, your income and what goals you're working towards.
Then we match you to lenders whose rules fit
3-5 are shortlisted on credit policy before anyone quotes a rate. You'll have our recommendation within three business days.
And we stay past settlement
Consistent reviews and valuation for the life of the loan.
First, why use a mortgage broker instead of going direct to a bank?
Walking straight into a single bank branch limits you to their singular credit policy. If your specific scenario doesn't seamlessly fit their rigid criteria, they reject your application, which leaves a negative mark on your credit file.
When wondering what is a mortgage broker and why the majority of Australians choose to use one, the answer comes down to choice and advocacy. We work completely for you, not the bank. We compare your financial profile across a massive panel of over 60 lenders simultaneously to find the exact rules written to back you.
Best of all, how a mortgage broker gets paid is entirely transparent. Our services cost you nothing out of pocket because the lender you choose pays us a commission directly from their own profit margins for completing the administrative and compliance work. Under Australian Best Interests Duty (BID) laws, we are legally mandated to act entirely in your financial favour, ensuring you receive the absolute best deal available.
WHY USE US AS YOUR MORTGAGE BROKER?
We package your file to get approved on the first pass. Here’s how we manage the entire process for you...
01
WE START WITH THE BUSINESS, NOT THE LOAN
Your first conversation is about where you are and where you want to get to. No paperwork, no lender names, and nothing to decide on the call.
Book a time that suits you. You’ll hear from us within 1 business day.
Bring nothing. Documents come later, and we will tell you which ones
We will say on this call whether we are the right broker for the job
02
WE CHOOSE THE LENDER IN THREE PASSES, AND PRICE IS THE LAST ONE
Every lender writes its own credit rules. Some are strong on trust distributions, others on first home buyers, commercial property, SMSF. We work out which rules your situation actually satisfies before anyone quotes a number.
Policy: we shortlist the three to five lenders whose credit rules fit your scenario
Capacity: we narrow that shortlist to the lenders that give you the borrowing power you need
Rate: the final two or three go to state management and pricing teams, and we negotiate from there
03
WE FILE GETS A SECOND READ BEFORE IT GOES ANYWHERE
Your broker prepares the application, then our Head of Credit and Operations reviews it against that lender’s policy before it is lodged. Anything that would have come back as a question gets dealt with first.
We’ll review every application before submission
We ask your accountant for the financials, because knowing which tax return to send is not your job
Everything is done online, through the Fact Find and FileInvite.
04
WE MANAGE EVERYTHING
Lenders, credit assessors, valuers, solicitors, conveyancers, accountants, agents. You will not be chasing any of them, and you will not be chasing us either.
Updates at every milestone, including the ones that are not good news
Same-day responses, without exception
Phone, email or SMS, whichever you prefer
05
THE WEEK BEFORE SETTLEMENT IS THE ONE WE RUN HARDEST
Loan documents, deadlines, and every party working to the same date. We’ll coordinate the final stage so nothing is sitting on somebody’s desk on the day it matters.
Loan documents checked before they reach you
Deadlines tracked with the solicitor and the conveyancer
Prompt updates all throughout the process
06
FINANS CARE
Our team will be there to answer your questions and stay on top of your loans.
Six weeks: a check-in on how the loan is working, and how to use your offset or redraw
Six months: a conversation about anything that has changed
Twelve months: a free updated valuation, a rate review, and a renegotiation with your lender where there is room to move
What our clients remember isn’t the rate
Trusted by 153+ Australians
“Communication was excellent throughout—prompt, transparent, and always friendly. We felt confident that we were in good hands and that our best interests were the priority.”
Melissa H.
Finans Brokers Client
THE NEXT STEP
Give us one conversation and three business days. We’ll tell you if we’re the right fit.
You do not need documents, a property, or a decision yet. We’ll give you:
A shortlist of lenders whose credit rules your situation fits
A borrowing capacity figure you can plan around
A plain answer on timing, including when the honest answer is not yet
How to Choose a Mortgage Broker: Your Essential Guide
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A mortgage broker acts as a professional intermediary between you and potential lenders to secure a home or commercial loan. Instead of you applying blindly to single banks, a mortgage broker assesses your unique financial situation, calculates your actual borrowing capacity, and filters through dozens of lenders to find the specific policies and interest rates that match your scenario. They manage the entire process from your initial application through to formal approval and settlement.
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Using a mortgage broker gives you access to a massive panel of lenders and custom loan products, whereas a bank can only sell you its own limited in-house options. Going directly to a single bank forces you to fit their strict criteria; if their rules don't suit your situation, you get rejected. A broker works for you, not the bank. They compare over 60 lenders simultaneously to find the ones competing for your business, saving you time, protecting your credit score from multiple inquiries, and negotiating lower rates on your behalf.
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Yes, you should use a mortgage broker if you want to maximise your borrowing power, secure a lower interest rate, or navigate complex income structures. Over 85% of Australians use a broker rather than going direct to a bank because of the sheer complexity of lender rules. Working with a broker is highly recommended if you are a first-home buyer navigating government grants, a property investor optimising loan structures, self-employed with irregular cash flow, or a business owner looking for flexible commercial finance.
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To choose the right mortgage broker, look for a team that has deep insider banking experience, a transparent process, and strong post-settlement support. The ultimate decision isn't just about finding someone to fill out paperwork; it’s about choosing a strategic partner for your wealth journey.
When comparing brokers, evaluate them against these four key benchmarks:
Insider Experience: Look for brokers who have spent years working inside major banks. They know how credit assessors think and how to package tricky files so they get approved.
Lender Panel Size: Ensure they work with a diverse panel of 60+ institutional, non-bank, and specialist lenders.
Post-Settlement Care: Avoid transactional brokers. Choose a firm that proactively renegotiates your rate with your lender every 6 to 12 months to ensure you never pay a "loyalty tax."
Industry Reputation: Check for verified consumer reviews and peer recognition, such as finalists or winners at the Australian Broking Awards. -
In almost all cases, using a mortgage broker costs you nothing because the broker is paid a commission directly by the lender you choose. Lenders pay this commission out of their own profit margins to thank the broker for doing the administrative and regulatory legwork. Under Australian Best Interests Duty (BID) laws, brokers are legally mandated to act entirely in your financial favour. This means a broker cannot recommend a loan that is bad for you just because it pays a higher commission; they are legally bound to find you the best possible deal.