Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions, Brisbane (2026)

07/04/2026

🏗️ Tricky Deal? Not When It’s Structured Properly.

One of the biggest challenges families face when building a new home is:

👉 “Where do we live while construction is happening?”

For this client, the goal was clear:
✔️ Stay in their current home
✔️ Build their new home
✔️ Avoid the stress of moving twice

💡 The solution? Bridging finance + construction loan

We secured a full prime, 80% owner-occupied lending solution that allowed:

The family to remain in their existing home
Construction to commence without delay
A smooth transition once the new home is complete

⚠️ This wasn’t a standard deal

It required:

Careful structuring of both existing and new debt
Clear exit strategy (sale of existing property)
Strong servicing position
The right lender with a “make sense” credit policy

🎯 Why this matters

Not all lenders will look at deals like this favourably.

But when the application is:
✔️ Well structured
✔️ Clearly presented
✔️ Backed by a strong strategy

👉 The right lender can step in and make it work.

At Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions, we don’t just submit applications—we build solutions around real life scenarios.

Because sometimes the best outcome isn’t the simplest one… it’s the one that’s been thought through properly.

💬 Looking to build but not sure how to structure it?

Speak to Shona Stephenson
SMSF Specialist & Principal Mortgage Broker
Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions

👉 Let’s map out the right strategy for you.

https://www.bestff.com.au/shona-stephenson-principal-mortgage-broker

06/04/2026

🏡 Renting vs Buying—Is the Gap Closing?

New data from Cotality shows something surprising:

👉 In some markets, it’s now just as cheap—or even cheaper—to buy than rent.

In inner Melbourne, mortgage repayments on a median unit are estimated to be $322/month less than renting.

We’re also seeing similar trends in:

Inner-city Darwin
Canberra (Woden Valley)

💡 Why is this happening?

✔️ Rents have surged (up 5.5% over the past year)
✔️ Vacancy rates are tight (~1.5%)
✔️ Unit prices have grown more moderately due to increased supply

👉 Result: the gap between renting and owning is shrinking.
⚠️ But here’s the nuance (this is important):

Buying isn’t just about repayments. You still need to factor in:

Deposit
Stamp duty
Body corporate fees
Maintenance & insurance

🎯 Here’s where it gets interesting…

There are still government incentives and pathways that can make entering the market easier:

✔️ 5% deposit schemes (Home Guarantee Scheme)
✔️ 2% deposit options (in specific scenarios/lenders)
✔️ First Home Owner Grants (FHOGs)
✔️ Potential stamp duty concessions

👉 These can significantly reduce your upfront costs and help you enter the market sooner.

🎯 So what’s the real takeaway?

Even if the weekly cost looks similar…

👉 Owning builds wealth. Renting doesn’t.

Over the past 5 years:
📈 Australian property values have increased ~44%
💰 Adding ~$280,000 to the median value

🔥 And here’s where the market is moving:

✔️ Lower-priced properties are outperforming (11.5% growth vs 6.6%)
✔️ Investors are back (up 31.8% year-on-year)
✔️ First home buyers are increasing competition

👉 This is why entry-level and unit markets are heating up.

💬 What does this mean for you?

There’s opportunity—but only if you understand:

Which markets make sense
What your true borrowing capacity is
How to structure the deal properly

👉Reach out to Shona Stephenson, Principal Mortgage Broker, Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions.

https://www.bestff.com.au/shona-stephenson-principal-mortgage-broker

02/04/2026

🏡 Buying Property in Your 50s – Is It Possible? Yes.

The key isn’t age… it’s strategy.

We regularly help clients in their 50s (and beyond) secure home loans and investment properties—but every successful deal has one thing in common:

👉 A clear exit strategy

💡 What does that mean?

Lenders want to understand:
✔️ How the loan will be repaid before retirement
✔️ What assets or super will support the loan
✔️ How cash flow will be managed over time

🎯 This is where most deals succeed—or fail

It’s not just about income or deposit size.
It’s about presenting a well-structured plan that gives the lender confidence.

That might include:

Using surplus funds or investments
Aligning with superannuation strategies
Structuring loan terms to support cash flow
Clearly documenting the long-term repayment plan

At Best Foot Forward, Shona Stephenson specialises in:
✔️ Structuring loans for clients later in life
✔️ Creating strong, documented exit strategies
✔️ Submitting high-quality applications lenders can approve with confidence

Because with the right approach, age is not a barrier—poor structure is.

💬 Thinking about buying in your 50s?

Speak to Shona Stephenson
SMSF Specialist & Principal Mortgage Broker
Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions

👉 Get clarity on your options and the right strategy moving forward.

https://www.bestff.com.au/shona-stephenson-principal-mortgage-broker

01/04/2026

🏡 “It’s not a seller’s market or a buyer’s market—
it’s a prepared buyer’s market.”

Right now, the advantage doesn’t belong to everyone.

It belongs to the buyers who are:
✔️ Pre-approved
✔️ Well-advised
✔️ Ready to act when the right property appears

Because here’s what’s actually happening:

✔️ The right properties are still selling quickly
❌ The wrong ones are sitting

🎯 This is where the opportunity is.

If you’re prepared, you can:

Negotiate better
Move faster than the competition
Secure properties others miss

At Best Foot Forward, we position our clients to be ready before they need to be.

Because in this market, timing and preparation are everything.

💬 Want to be in a position to move when it counts?

Speak to Shona Stephenson,
SMSF Specialist & Principal Mortgage Broker
Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions

👉 Let’s get you prepared.

https://www.bestff.com.au/shona-stephenson-principal-mortgage-broker

01/04/2026

🏡 Buying Property in an SMSF: A Strategic Guide for Wealth-Focused Australians

This isn’t a “property tip”—this is a long-term wealth strategy.

Buying property inside your super can be incredibly powerful when structured correctly. But it’s not about jumping in—it’s about getting the strategy right from the outset.

💡 Why sophisticated investors consider SMSF property:
✔️ Tax-effective environment (15% or potentially 0% in retirement)
✔️ Ability to leverage within super
✔️ Control over long-term wealth strategy
✔️ Opportunity to align property with broader financial planning

⚠️ But here’s what most people miss…

SMSF property is not a standard loan.

It requires:

The right structure (LRBA + bare trust)
Strong compliance from day one
A clear long-term strategy and exit plan
Alignment between broker, accountant, and lender

🎯 This is where strategy matters most

At Best Foot Forward, we approach SMSF lending differently.

Shona Stephenson specialises in:
✔️ Structuring high-quality, lender-ready applications
✔️ Doing the research upfront to avoid delays
✔️ Aligning your SMSF strategy with lending requirements
✔️ Ensuring you can move forward with confidence

Because when done properly, this isn’t just about buying a property—it’s about building a stronger retirement position.

💬 Considering SMSF property?

Speak to Shona Stephenson
SMSF Specialist & Principal Mortgage Broker
Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions

👉 Get clarity on whether this strategy is right for you.

https://www.bestff.com.au/info-blog/buying-property-in-an-smsf-a-strategic-guide-for-wealth-focused-australians

31/03/2026

🔥 Deal of the Week: Home Guarantee Scheme on an Island? YES, it’s possible! 🏝️

We recently helped a couple in their 50s purchase their first home—on an island—using the Home Guarantee Scheme.

Most importantly, there was only 1 lender in the Home Guarantee Scheme that would help my clients.

A deal like this wasn’t straightforward. It required strategy, experience, and the right lender.

Here’s how we made it happen:

✔️ Complex income structure – One applicant earned commissions, so we used a 2-year income history to verify earnings instead of relying on year-to-date figures.

✔️ Fast turnaround – We secured UNCONDITIONAL APPROVAL in just 7 days.

✔️ Smart loan structuring – Despite the applicants being in their 50s, we structured a 30-year loan to support cash flow, particularly given the variability of commission income.

✔️ Strong exit strategy – We clearly documented how the loan would be repaid using their surplus funds and long-term financial position.

✔️ Every detail mattered – We even included $3,000 p.a. self-employed income to strengthen the application and get it across the line.

💡 The result?
Happy clients now stepping into their new island lifestyle 🌊

At Shona Stephenson, Principal Mortgage Broker , doesn't just “fit deals into boxes”—she structures them properly to get results, even helps with property insights to help her clients make informed decisions.

👉 If your scenario is complex, that’s exactly where Shona adds value.

https://www.bestff.com.au/

31/03/2026

🔥 Unconditional Approval Granted in 7 Days 🏝️

This deal isn’t just about speed—it’s about strategy and quality ex*****on.

At Best Foot Forward, Shona Stephenson specialises in submitting high-quality, fully assessed loan applications—so lenders have everything they need upfront to make fast, confident decisions.

💡 What this means for you:
✔️ We do the research before submission—not after
✔️ We structure your deal correctly from the outset
✔️ We present a complete, lender-ready application
✔️ We minimise delays, rework, and back-and-forth

👉 The result? Unconditional approval in just 7 days

This was achieved under the Home Guarantee Scheme, on a complex scenario involving commission income and a first home purchase later in life.

Because the application was properly prepared:

The lender had full clarity from day one
There were no surprises during assessment
The clients could move forward with confidence

🎯 Most importantly
You can have confidence in meeting your 14-day finance clause, even in more complex scenarios.

At Best Foot Forward, we don’t leave approvals to chance—we build them.

👉 If you want a broker who focuses on getting it right the first time, let’s talk.

https://www.bestff.com.au/shona-stephenson-principal-mortgage-broker

20/03/2026

Why the Most Successful Property Buyers Prepare Early 🤓

The most successful property buyers aren't always the ones who move first.

They are the ones who prepare early and understand their options.

Having a clear strategy means:

• Knowing your borrowing capacity
• Understanding government incentives available to you
• Securing pre-approval before you start looking

When opportunities appear in the market, prepared buyers are the ones who can act quickly and confidently.

If you'd like to book discovery call to work out your refinancing or property purchasing strategy you can by using this Link below.

https://www.bestff.com.au/book-your-complimentary-discovery-call

19/03/2026

First Home Buyer Schemes

Did you know there are government schemes that can help buyers purchase with very small deposits?

Some current options include:

🏡 First Home Guarantee – Buy with 5% deposit and no LMI
🏡 Family Home Guarantee – Eligible applicants can buy with as little as 2% deposit
🏡 Help to Buy Scheme – Government contributes up to 30–40% of the property value

These schemes can significantly reduce the savings required to buy a home.

Eligibility rules and property price caps apply, but they can make home ownership achievable much sooner than many people think.

If you'd like a chat, you can book a complimentary discovery call with Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions Principal Mortgage Broker Shona Stephenson to discuss your unique situation and formulate a strategy for success.

https://www.bestff.com.au/book-your-complimentary-discovery-call

17/03/2026

Refinance Opportunity

If you're currently paying more than around 5.59% on your home loan, it might be time to review your rate.

Right now, lenders are offering:

✔ Cashback offers for refinances
✔ Competitive discounts
✔ Rates as low as 5.51% with some Big 4 lenders

Many homeowners stay on their existing loan without realising how competitive the market has become.

A simple refinance review could potentially reduce your repayments and secure lender incentives.

If you'd like a chat, you can book a complimentary discovery call with Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions Principal Mortgage Broker Shona Stephenson to discuss your unique situation and formulate a strategy for success.

https://www.bestff.com.au/book-your-complimentary-discovery-call

17/03/2026

📊 RBA Cash Rate Update – Now at 4.10%

The Reserve Bank of Australia has set the official cash rate at 4.10%, which continues to influence mortgage rates across the country.

What does this mean for borrowers?

🏡 Homeowners: Variable rate loans may see repayment increases if lenders pass on changes.
📉 Borrowing capacity: Higher interest rates can slightly reduce how much banks will lend.
🔍 Buyers: It’s more important than ever to understand your borrowing power before making an offer.

The good news?

There are still excellent opportunities in the market, especially with schemes like the Home Guarantee Scheme, allowing eligible buyers to purchase with as little as a 2–5% deposit and avoid LMI.
Another positive, lenders are offering rebates for refinances to help cover the cost of ,moving the loan to a more competitive lender.

If you're unsure how the current rate environment affects your plans, I’m happy to help.

📩 Send me a message or book a quick chat and we can explore your options.

All the best
Shona Stephenson
Principal Mortgage Broker

Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions

07/04/2026

06/04/2026

02/04/2026

01/04/2026

01/04/2026

31/03/2026

31/03/2026

20/03/2026

19/03/2026

17/03/2026

17/03/2026

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