Notes from the desk
Thoughts on the market, the industry and the things I find myself saying across the desk most weeks. No product pitches, just opinions and observations from a local broker.
- Industry29 May 202610 min read
Your Bank Knows You, But Do They Know Mortgages?
Going to your own bank for a mortgage seems like the easiest path. But do they really have your best interests at heart, or just their own? A look at how the two different models, bank vs broker, actually work.
Read more - Opinion28 May 20269 min read
All the Data, None of the Wisdom
We are drowning in property data, but it rarely helps us make a calm, wise decision. This post explores the growing gap between the noisy data we see and the genuine insight we need to buy a home.
Read more - Opinion24 May 202610 min read
Why Are We So Lazy With Our Home Loans?
People will shop around for a better deal on their car insurance every year, but often go a decade without reviewing their single biggest expense: their mortgage. This post explores the psychology behind this inertia and the power of simply asking the question.
Read more - Industry23 May 202610 min read
What a Pre-Approval Is (And What It Isn't)
A pre-approval feels like a green light for your property hunt, but it's not the guarantee many think it is. Understanding what it really means can save you a lot of heartache later on.
Read more - Opinion17 May 202610 min read
Is the ‘Best’ Interest Rate Even a Real Thing?
Everyone wants the 'best' interest rate, but what if that's the wrong question to be asking? The chase for the lowest number can often distract from what really matters, like loan structure, flexibility, and finding a lender that actually gets you.
Read more - Mindset10 May 202610 min read
The ‘Forever Home’ Is a Myth (And That’s a Good Thing)
The pressure to find your one-and-only ‘forever home’ is a hangover from a different era. Thinking in terms of a ‘home for now’ can be a healthier, more flexible, and financially savvy way to approach property.
Read more - Mindset3 May 202610 min read
What if You Just... Don't Buy?
Everyone on the Gold Coast seems obsessed with buying property, but what if you just... don't? This isn't about failure, it's about questioning the pressure and realising that not buying can be a perfectly valid, strategic choice.
Read more - Opinion2 May 202610 min read
Are We Asking the Wrong Questions About Our Home Loan?
We're all trained to hunt for the lowest interest rate. But what if that's the wrong question? The real value is often hiding in the things we forget to ask about, like loan structure and future flexibility.
Read more - Market1 May 20265 min read
Reading the room: the Gold Coast property mood in 2026
Buyers are calmer, sellers are more realistic, and conversations have shifted from FOMO to fundamentals. Here's what I'm seeing on the ground.
Read more - Opinion24 April 20264 min read
Rate watching without losing your mind
Refreshing economic news ten times a day won't change your repayments. A few thoughts on how to follow rates without letting them follow you home.
Read more - Tips17 April 20266 min read
Five mindset shifts that help first home buyers
Saving a deposit is half the journey. The other half is psychological. A few reframes that seem to genuinely help first home buyers move forward.
Read more - Industry10 April 20265 min read
What lenders actually look at (and what they don't)
There's a lot of folklore about what lenders care about. Some of it is true, some of it is dated, and some of it is honestly just made up.
Read more - Tips3 April 20264 min read
The quiet power of an offset account
Offsets aren't flashy. They don't trend on social media. But for the right household, they're one of the most underrated tools in personal finance.
Read more - Market27 March 20265 min read
Moving suburbs without moving house: rethinking 'where'
A lot of buyers fall in love with a suburb before they fall in love with a home. Sometimes the suburb just two streets over is the smarter answer.
Read more - Opinion20 March 20264 min read
Refinance fatigue is a real thing
Constant 'should I refinance?' chatter has worn a lot of homeowners out. Here's a calmer way to think about whether it's actually worth a look.
Read more - Tips13 March 20265 min read
Why pre-approval is a conversation, not a certificate
A pre-approval letter looks like a finish line, but it's really more of a starting point. Understanding what it does and doesn't do saves a lot of stress.
Read more - Industry6 March 20265 min read
Good questions to ask any mortgage broker (including me)
You're allowed to interview your broker. In fact, please do. A short list of questions that tend to surface what you actually want to know.
Read more - Opinion27 February 20266 min read
What I wish more people knew before buying their first home
Not advice, just observations. After years of sitting across the table from first home buyers, here are the patterns that come up again and again.
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Open the door to all the possibilities
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