Josh Stewart

Notes on lending, structure, and financial decision‑making.

Policy & Lender Behaviour

Why self-employed income is assessed differently — and what that means before you apply

Apr 16, 2026

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3 min read

Why self-employed income is assessed differently — and what that means before you apply

Self-employed borrowers often assume income level is the issue when an application struggles. In most cases, the real variable is how lenders assess documentation structure — and that varies significantly across lenders.

Josh Stewart

Serviceability & Borrowing Power

What a Pre-Approval Actually Tells You Before You Sign a Contract

Apr 15, 2026

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3 min read

What a Pre-Approval Actually Tells You Before You Sign a Contract

A pre-approval gives a borrowing figure — but the assumptions behind it can shift. Here's what first home buyers should understand about how pre-approvals work before signing a contract of sale.

Josh Stewart

Serviceability & Borrowing Power

How NSW First Home Buyers Can Stack Government Schemes — and What That Looks Like in Practice

Apr 15, 2026

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5 min read

How NSW First Home Buyers Can Stack Government Schemes — and What That Looks Like in Practice

NSW first home buyers may be eligible for multiple government schemes simultaneously — including the FHOG, stamp duty exemption, and First Home Guarantee. Here's what that looks like in practice for a $650,000 purchase.

Josh Stewart

Valuations

How lenders calculate usable equity — and why it's less than you think

Apr 15, 2026

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5 min read

How lenders calculate usable equity — and why it's less than you think

Total equity and usable equity are not the same number. This guide explains how the 80% LVR limit works, how lenders calculate the equity you can actually access, and why serviceability is a separate step that matters just as much.

Josh Stewart

Serviceability & Borrowing Power

What Two Rate Rises in a Row Actually Do to Borrowing Capacity

Apr 15, 2026

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5 min read

What Two Rate Rises in a Row Actually Do to Borrowing Capacity

A pre-approval from mid-2025 reflects a different assessment environment to the one borrowers are in now. Understanding what changed — and by how much — matters before relying on an older figure to make a purchase decision.

Josh Stewart

Serviceability & Borrowing Power

Why Rising Property Values Don't Increase Your Borrowing Capacity

Apr 15, 2026

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4 min read

Why Rising Property Values Don't Increase Your Borrowing Capacity

Regional property values have risen sharply across Australia. But borrowing capacity is assessed on income and serviceability — not on what the market is doing. Here's what that means in practice.

Josh Stewart

Serviceability & Borrowing Power

APRA DTI Cap Explained: What It Means for Property Investors in 2026

Apr 15, 2026

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4 min read

APRA DTI Cap Explained: What It Means for Property Investors in 2026

The APRA DTI cap limits lenders on high-ratio mortgages — and the effect on property investors is showing up in how applications are handled, not just whether they're approved. Here's what's actually happening.

Josh Stewart

Serviceability & Borrowing Power

Why Waiting to Refinance Can Close the Window — Even When Nothing Has Changed

Apr 15, 2026

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6 min read

Why Waiting to Refinance Can Close the Window — Even When Nothing Has Changed

How rising assessment rates affect serviceability for variable rate borrowers — and why timing a review matters more than most people realise

Josh Stewart