Six terms you need to know to be home loan ready

We asked our team of brokers to break down some of the most common (and misunderstood) terms you’ll hear when applying for a home loan.

1. Liabilities

Liabilities refer to formal ongoing obligations, such as a personal loans and HECS debt, which are separate to day-to-day expenses. Liabilities go on your Veda report (what lenders use to assess your credit application and determine risk) and reduce your credit score which reduces your approval chances.

2. Assessment rates

An Assessment Rate is the interest rate used when the lender is assessing the serviceability of your loan (your borrowing power). It is generally higher than the rate of the product you are applying for. For example, if the product’s interest rate is 5%, they may assess you on your ability to pay off the loan if the rate is at 7% (the higher rate is the assessment rate), which helps manage risk.

3. Fixed and variable rates

A fixed rate is a set interest rate for a determined period of time, usually between 1-5 years. Variable rates refer to loan products that have fluctuating interest rates. Fixed rates typically don’t have as many features attached to them such as offset accounts. When the RBA puts the cash rate up or down, lenders often increase or decrease their variable interest rates in line with the cash rate.

4. Living expenses

One of the big contributing factors in how much a bank will lend you to buy a home, is living expenses. Your broker (and lender) needs to know what you spend each week on groceries, takeaway, coffee, gym memberships and phone bills, for example, so they can subtract that from your earnings and work out how much you can safely afford to pay back.

5. Credit enquiries

A credit enquiry is applying for finance of any sort, e.g. a mortgage, credit card or personal loan. Most lenders do not like to see more than 6 credit enquiries within a 12-month period as each one can reduce your approval chances.

6. LMI

Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is an upfront charge you pay when borrowing over 80% of a property’s purchase price. It is an insurance policy paid by the borrower which covers the lender. People often hear that they can get a home loan with only a 5% deposit, however they are unaware of LMI which is an added cost that should be taken into account. Are you home loan ready?Book in a quick call with our customer care teamPhoto by Andrew Neel on Unsplash Book a call in with UNO

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Orange square icon with a black network-like symbol and the words 'Good' in green twice and 'Bad' in red in the bottom right corner on a white background.ANZ logo next to the words 'Possibly' in orange and 'Good' twice in green on a white background.White rectangular shape with rounded, scalloped corners on a transparent background.Logo with blue and purple geometric shield shape on left and three green words 'Good' arranged in a triangular layout on right.A dark blue letter Q with a red and turquoise diagonal arrow inside it, followed by the word 'Possibly' in orange, and the word 'Good' twice in green font on the right side.White rectangular shape with rounded, scalloped corners on a transparent background.Macquarie Bank logo on the left with the word 'Possibly' in orange and 'Good' written twice in green on the right.Suncorp Bank logo with the word Good repeated three times in green text on a white background.Yellow diamond shape with a black folded corner followed by the word 'Good' repeated three times in green text on a white background.

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May 26, 2026
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Scott is an outstanding broker! Nothing was ever too difficult - steered us in the best direction for our situation which wasn't the easiest! Always kept us abreast of what was achievable even when we didn't think it was. Created realistic expectations without losing site of the the ultimate goal. This is our second time working with Scott and his team at UNO and it was a no-brainer to return. They've earned our trust :) Highly recommend Scott if you want a knowledgeable, reliable and genuinely supportive broker - especially for this rollercoaster ride ! Thanks again Scott !!
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Nathalie Pelissier was professional yet empathetic to liaise with, making the whole remortgage process so easy. Excellent communication - we always knew which step we were at and able to ask for assistance if needed. Will definitely recommend Nathalie to friends and family.
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May 19, 2026
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We had a generally good experience working with Paul Davey during the process of buying our home. Communication was okay throughout, and he was helpful in guiding us through the different steps along the way. Overall, everything was handled fairly smoothly and we appreciated the support provided.
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May 15, 2026
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Huge thanks to Scott Wilkinson for helping me secure my home loan and getting the deal settled smoothly meeting settlement. He went above and beyond throughout the whole process, he gave the real estate agents strong confidence in the deal, which definitely helped get the purchase across the line. Couldn’t recommend him enough — professional, reliable, and genuinely cares about getting the best outcome for his clients. Absolute legend. Thank you once again Scott
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Everything went smoothly thanks to Jake de Ruyter, he was on top of everything before we even had to ask and we didn't have to worry about a thing. THANK YOU JAKE!
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Jack Chai
May 10, 2026
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We had a fantastic experience working with Mike Parsons. We came to him with a relatively complicated financial situation that required more than just a standard application, and Mike was incredible at navigating the complexities. He didn't just give us one path forward; he provided several well-thought-out solutions tailored to our needs. Throughout the entire process, Mike’s communication was seamless. He followed up regularly and ensured we were kept posted at every milestone, which took a lot of the stress out of the experience. Thanks to his expertise and persistence, we successfully secured our loan. If you’re looking for a broker who is proactive, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to getting a result, we highly recommend Mike!
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Andrew Ockrim
May 8, 2026
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Great experience with Uno. JAKE DE RUYTER was outstanding and delivered on the loan package proposed, where other brokers failed. Consultative, professional and responsive; got everything sorted when any problems arose, as they always do in finance. Just let him do his thing and it all gets done. Highly recommended.
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May 7, 2026
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Couldn’t recommend Paul Davey enough. As first home buyers, he made the whole process so much easier and less stressful. Always quick to reply, happy to answer any questions, and genuinely went above and beyond to help us secure our first home. Thanks again Paul, we really appreciate all your hard work!
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Paul and his team were amazing. We were new to Australia from NZ and he was so helpful and we got into our own house with ease. Thanks Paul - would highly recommend
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Luke Sandy
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Couldn’t recommend Mike Parsons highly enough. He’s a great communicator who guided us through every stage of the application and made the whole process feel easy.
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Sarah M
April 21, 2026
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I cannot recommend Jessica Southerwood enough. She made the experience of purchasing my first home not only smooth and stress free, but genuinely exciting and special. From start to finish, her professionalism, reassurance, and attention to detail made what could have been an overwhelming process feel so enjoyable. She has been an incredible support every step of the way, always available to answer questions, explain the process clearly, and provide guidance with such warmth and care. Her positivity and encouragement truly made a difference, and she was a genuine ray of sunshine throughout the entire journey.
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Mike at UNO did an outstanding job sorting out my home loan. He went above and beyond for me and would recommend for an easy experience! This is the second time I have used UNO and wouldn’t go anywhere else!
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