Almost everyone arrives with the same two questions, and almost nobody has been given a straight answer to either: "What can I actually borrow?" and "What deposit do I really need?" Here's the short version of the second one, because it's where most people are stuck: not everyone has a 5%, 10% or 20% deposit — and depending on your income, credit and situation, you may not need one. There are lender-approved pathways for eligible buyers starting from as little as $1,000, plus the 5% First Home Guarantee with no LMI, and family guarantee options. Different pathways suit different people. That's the whole point of working out which one is yours. What's going to happen in this group: I'll walk you through the lending process from start to finish — deposit options, how borrowing capacity is actually calculated, what lenders look for, where applications fall over, and the lender policies that decide whether you get a yes. Plus the jargon, translated. And I'll answer your questions. That's the part that matters most. Ask anything — the basic questions are the ones everyone else is too embarrassed to ask. Two things to do right now: 1. Introduce yourself below. First name, which state you're in, and the one thing you think is standing between you and buying. That one thing is usually where we start. 2. Head to the Classroom and work through Start Here. It's five short lessons and it'll take you fifteen minutes. You'll come out knowing which pathway is likely yours. When you want real numbers on your own situation, book a free 15-minute call — link in the sidebar. We go through your income, expenses, debts, credit and deposit privately, and you leave knowing whether you can start now or what to fix first. Costs you nothing, and my fee is paid by the lender. One house rule: keep personal financial details out of the feed. Ask questions generally here — your actual numbers belong in a private conversation, not a public post. — Kelvin General information only, and it doesn't take your personal circumstances into account. Eligibility subject to individual assessment and lender criteria. ACL 555044.