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Got Questions?

Your Finance Questions,
Answered.

From first home buyers to SMSF investors, medico professionals to sports stars — here's everything you need to know before your first call with us.

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Getting Started Professionals & LMI Waivers Medico Loans Sports & Entertainment SMSF Lending Investing Refinancing First Home Buyers
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Getting Started

New to finance broking? Start here.

How do I get started with Mankin Finance?+
Getting started takes less than 5 minutes. You have three options: call us directly on +61 420 699 983, book a free strategy call via our website, or complete our 5-minute digital application and we'll be in touch within one business day.

On your first call we'll ask about your goals, income, deposit and timeline. From there we do all the work — researching lenders, comparing products, preparing your application — and keep you updated every step of the way. There's no obligation and no cost to you.
How much does it cost to use a mortgage broker?+
Our service is 100% free to you. We're paid a commission by the lender when your loan settles, so there's no fee, no retainer and no hidden charges at any stage of the process. You get access to 30+ lenders, professional advice and full application support — all at no cost.
💡 In fact, using a broker often saves you money — we know which lenders are offering rate specials and cashback deals that aren't advertised publicly.
How long does the process take from start to settlement?+
Pre-approval typically takes 24–72 hours once we have all your documents.
Formal approval after you've found a property is usually 5–10 business days.
Settlement depends on your contract terms — typically 30–90 days.

We manage the entire timeline and liaise with your solicitor, real estate agent and the lender so you're never left chasing anyone.
What documents do I need to provide?+
For most applications you'll need:
  • Photo ID (passport or driver's licence)
  • 2 most recent payslips (or 2 years tax returns if self-employed)
  • 3–6 months bank statements
  • Evidence of savings/deposit
  • Details of any existing debts (credit cards, personal loans, car loans)
We'll give you a specific checklist based on your situation so you're not guessing.
How many lenders do you have access to?+
We work with 30+ lenders including all the major banks (ANZ, CommBank, Westpac, NAB) and a wide range of specialist lenders (Macquarie, ING, Suncorp, Pepper Money, Liberty, Bluestone, La Trobe and more). This gives us the flexibility to match almost any client situation — prime borrowers, self-employed, low deposit, complex income structures and more.
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Professionals & LMI Waivers

Accountants, lawyers, engineers and other professionals may qualify for exclusive benefits.

What is an LMI waiver and do I qualify?+
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is normally required when you borrow more than 80% of a property's value. It protects the lender (not you) and can cost between $5,000–$30,000 depending on your loan size. An LMI waiver means the lender agrees to waive this cost entirely based on your profession.
✅ Many lenders offer LMI waivers to approved professionals at up to 90% LVR — meaning you only need a 10% deposit with no LMI cost at all.
Eligible professions typically include:
  • Accountants (CPA, CA, CFA qualified)
  • Lawyers and legal practitioners
  • Engineers (civil, mining, structural)
  • Pharmacists
  • Veterinarians
  • Optometrists and allied health professionals
  • Senior corporate executives (certain income thresholds)
Criteria vary by lender. We know exactly which lenders offer the best professional packages and will match you to the right one.
I'm an accountant — what special deals are available to me?+
As a CPA, CA or CFA-qualified accountant, you may be eligible for:
  • LMI waiver up to 90% LVR (borrow $900K on a $1M property with no LMI)
  • Discounted interest rates — some lenders offer profession-specific rate discounts
  • Higher borrowing capacity — some lenders allow more generous income assessment for qualified professionals
  • Flexible documentation if you're also running your own practice
The minimum income threshold and membership requirements vary by lender. Book a call and we'll assess your eligibility within minutes.
Can I borrow up to 95% without paying LMI as a professional?+
For medical professionals specifically, some lenders offer up to 95% LVR with no LMI on both owner-occupied and investment loans (see the Medico section below). For other professionals, most LMI waivers apply up to 90% LVR.

There are also specialist lenders who offer LMI waivers at 90% LVR for a broader range of professions. We'll check which lenders you qualify with based on your specific profession and income.
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Medico Loans & Professional Waivers

Doctors, dentists, specialists and other medical professionals have access to exclusive loan products.

What is a medico loan and who qualifies?+
A medico loan is a specialised home loan product designed exclusively for medical professionals. Banks recognise that doctors and other health professionals have exceptionally stable, high incomes and career prospects — so they offer significantly better terms than standard borrowers receive.

Eligible professions typically include:
  • Medical doctors (GPs, specialists, surgeons, anaesthetists)
  • Dentists and dental specialists
  • Physiotherapists and occupational therapists
  • Nurses (including Nurse Practitioners)
  • Pharmacists
  • Psychologists and psychiatrists
  • Podiatrists, chiropractors, osteopaths
  • Interns and registrars (with some lenders)
Can I borrow 95% with no LMI as a medical professional?+
Yes. This is one of the most powerful benefits available to medical professionals. Select lenders will lend up to 95% LVR with no LMI payable on both owner-occupied and investment properties.

💡 Example: Purchasing a $1,000,000 property — a standard borrower needs a $200K deposit + LMI. A qualifying doctor may only need $50,000 deposit with zero LMI. That's a saving of $20,000–$30,000+.
Conditions apply — registration with AHPRA is typically required, along with minimum income thresholds. We work with multiple lenders who offer medico products and will find the best fit for your situation.
Do medico loans apply to investment properties too?+
Yes. The 95% no-LMI benefit applies to both owner-occupied and investment loans with certain lenders. This makes medico lending one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available to medical professionals — you can build a property portfolio with significantly less capital required upfront.

We can structure both your home loan and investment strategy to maximise your borrowing capacity and minimise your costs.
I'm still an intern or registrar — can I still access medico benefits?+
Yes — some lenders will extend medico benefits to junior doctors, interns and registrars who are registered with AHPRA, even before full specialist qualification. The key factors are AHPRA registration, income stability and employment contract type.

Book a call and we'll assess your eligibility based on your exact situation and registration status.
Do nurses and allied health professionals qualify for medico benefits?+
Yes, in many cases. Several lenders have expanded their professional lending programs to include registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, pharmacists and other AHPRA-registered allied health professionals.

The LVR available (85%, 90% or 95%) and whether LMI is waived depends on the specific profession and lender. We compare across our lender panel to find the best deal for your profession.
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Sports People & Entertainment

Unique income structures require a specialist approach.

Can professional athletes get a home loan?+
Absolutely. We regularly work with professional and semi-professional athletes, and we understand the unique challenges their income structures present. Most lenders struggle with variable sports income — appearance fees, performance bonuses, image rights, overseas contracts and short-term deals — but we know exactly which lenders assess this income favourably.

✅ The key is getting the right lender who understands your career trajectory, not just last year's tax return.
We've helped athletes across AFL, NRL, football, tennis, swimming, boxing and other disciplines successfully purchase property.
My income is variable — bonuses, contracts, prize money. Will that count?+
Yes — with the right lender. Variable income from bonuses, prize money, endorsements, contract payments and appearance fees can all be included in your assessment, depending on how it's structured and your track record.

We'll review your income documents and present your application in the best possible light. Some lenders will use a 2-year average, others will consider your current contract value. We know which approach each lender takes and will recommend accordingly.
What about entertainers, influencers and content creators?+
This is a growing niche we actively specialise in. Entertainers, social media influencers, musicians, actors and content creators often earn through a mix of business income, brand deals, royalties and platform payments — which standard lenders don't always know how to assess.

We'll structure your application to clearly demonstrate your income stability and growth, and match you with lenders who understand modern income sources. Often this involves a combination of tax returns, business bank statements and ABN income documentation.
Can I buy property while on a short-term contract or between seasons?+
Yes — timing your purchase doesn't have to align with your contract. Many athletes purchase between seasons or during contract negotiations. We can:

  • Use your current and projected contract income
  • Account for off-season income (coaching, media, sponsorships)
  • Structure a loan that gives you flexibility if your next contract takes time
  • Arrange a pre-approval so you're ready to move when the right property comes up
🏦

SMSF Lending

Using your self-managed super fund to invest in property.

Can I use my SMSF to buy an investment property?+
Yes. Under a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA), your Self-Managed Super Fund can borrow money to purchase an investment property. This is one of the most powerful wealth-building strategies available to Australians — but it requires specialist lending knowledge to execute correctly.

⚠️ SMSF lending is highly regulated. Not all brokers can handle it — Michael specialises in SMSF loans and manages every application personally.
What are the rules around SMSF property investment?+
Key requirements include:
  • The property must be for investment purposes only — you (or any related party) cannot live in it
  • The loan must be structured as a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA)
  • The property is held in a separate bare trust until the loan is repaid
  • Your SMSF must have sufficient funds for the deposit, stamp duty, legal costs and a liquidity buffer
  • The investment must pass the sole purpose test — the fund exists to provide retirement benefits
We work closely with your SMSF accountant and legal adviser to ensure the structure is set up correctly from day one.
How much can my SMSF borrow and what deposit is needed?+
Most SMSF lenders will lend up to 70–80% LVR for residential property, meaning your SMSF needs a minimum 20–30% deposit plus purchase costs.

Example: Buying a $700,000 investment property through your SMSF:
  • Deposit required: $140,000–$210,000 (20–30%)
  • Stamp duty + legal: approx $30,000–$40,000
  • Liquidity buffer required: approx $30,000–$50,000
  • Total SMSF balance recommended: $250,000+
We'll review your SMSF balance and structure a proposal that maximises your fund's performance.
What types of property can an SMSF purchase?+
  • Residential investment properties — houses and apartments for rent
  • Commercial property — including properties leased to your own business (subject to market rent)
  • Rural/agricultural property — with some lenders
You cannot purchase a property your SMSF members or related parties will reside in (residential). However, a business owner can have their SMSF purchase the commercial premises their business occupies — this is a popular strategy we help structure frequently.
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Investment Loans

Building your property portfolio the smart way.

Can I borrow 95% on an investment property with no LMI?+
For medical professionals, yes — some lenders offer 95% LVR with no LMI on investment properties. For other borrowers, the standard maximum for investment loans without LMI is typically 80% LVR.

However, we work with lenders who offer competitive LMI-inclusive investment loans up to 90–95% LVR when LMI is capitalised into the loan. The strategy of using a small deposit with LMI can still make financial sense depending on your growth projections — we'll model the numbers with you.
How do I structure loans to build a portfolio?+
Loan structure is everything when building a portfolio. Key considerations include:
  • Interest-only vs principal & interest — IO loans preserve cash flow and tax deductions during the accumulation phase
  • Cross-collateralisation — we generally advise against it to protect flexibility
  • Offset accounts on your owner-occupied loan to reduce non-deductible interest
  • Separate loan splits for each property to simplify tax records
  • Lender selection — not all lenders assess rental income the same way; choosing correctly impacts how much you can borrow for property #2 and #3
We take a long-term portfolio view from the very first conversation.
Do you help with commercial property finance?+
Yes. We assist with commercial property loans for:
  • Business owners purchasing their own premises
  • Investors purchasing commercial real estate (retail, office, industrial, medical)
  • Development finance for small to medium projects
  • SMSF commercial property purchases
Commercial lending is assessed differently to residential — security type, lease terms, tenant quality and loan-to-value ratios all factor in. Michael handles all commercial applications personally.
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Refinancing

Already have a loan? You could be overpaying.

How do I know if I should refinance?+
The best time to review your loan is right now. Consider refinancing if:
  • Your loan is more than 2 years old and you haven't reviewed it
  • Your rate starts with a 6 or higher
  • Your financial situation has improved (higher income, more equity)
  • You want to access equity for investment or renovation
  • You want to consolidate debt
💡 Most clients who refinance through us save $300–$600 per month. On a $600K loan, dropping 0.5% saves you $3,000 per year — $90,000 over 30 years.
Are there costs involved in refinancing?+
There can be, but they're often minimal or offset by savings. Typical costs include:
  • Discharge fee from your current lender: $150–$400
  • Settlement fee from new lender: $0–$300
  • Break costs if you're on a fixed rate: can be significant
  • Valuation fee: often waived by the new lender
Many lenders also offer cashback deals of $2,000–$4,000 when you refinance to them. We'll calculate your exact break-even point and make sure refinancing genuinely saves you money.
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First Home Buyers

We guide first home buyers through every step.

How much deposit do I need to buy my first home?+
The standard minimum deposit is 5% of the purchase price (plus costs). However:
  • 5% deposit: Possible but LMI applies, adding thousands to your loan
  • 10% deposit: Reduces LMI significantly
  • 20% deposit: No LMI required — the "gold standard" but not always necessary
There are also government schemes like the First Home Guarantee (formerly FHLDS) where qualifying first home buyers can purchase with just 5% deposit and no LMI — the government guarantees the remaining portion. We'll assess which schemes you qualify for.
What government grants and schemes are available to first home buyers in NSW?+
As of 2025, NSW first home buyers may be eligible for:
  • First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme: Full stamp duty exemption for homes up to $800K, concession up to $1M
  • First Home Guarantee (HGS): Buy with 5% deposit, no LMI, government guarantees 15%
  • First Home Owner Grant (FHOG): $10,000 for new builds up to $600K
  • Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee: 5% deposit in regional areas
  • Family Home Guarantee: For single parents with 2% deposit
Eligibility criteria apply. We'll assess exactly what you're entitled to during your free strategy call.
What's the difference between pre-approval and formal approval?+
Pre-approval (conditional approval) is a lender's assessment that they're likely to lend you up to a certain amount, subject to finding a suitable property. It gives you confidence when bidding at auction or making offers. It typically lasts 90 days.

Formal approval (unconditional approval) is issued after you've found a specific property and the lender has completed their full assessment including a valuation. This is the green light to proceed to settlement.

We recommend getting pre-approved before you start inspecting — it puts you in a much stronger negotiating position.

Still Have Questions?

Book a free 15-minute strategy call with Michael or the team. No obligation, no jargon — just clear answers.

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