Your Questions, Answered

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions we get as brokers.

Working with Aligned:

  • A finance broker acts as the intermediary between you and lenders, helping you access, structure and secure lending that aligns with your financial position and goals.

  • Our approach is strategy-led rather than transactional. We take the time to understand your broader financial position and long-term objectives, ensuring the lending structure, lender and strategy are aligned, not just the rate.

  • We work with a broad range of clients including first home buyers, property investors, business owners and clients with more complex structures such as trusts and SMSFs.

  • No, we are paid a commission by the lender upon settlement of your loan. Where a more complex engagement or advisory scope is involved, this will always be discussed transparently upfront.

  • The sooner, the better and ideally before making any purchase decisions. Early conversations allow us to structure your lending correctly from the start and avoid any limitations later.

  • Working with a broker gives you access to a broader range of lenders and lending options, rather than being limited to a single institution. More importantly, a broker helps ensure your lending is structured appropriately right from the start, aligning the right lender, product and strategy with your overall financial goals.

The Lending Process:

  • We begin by understanding your position and goals, then design an appropriate lending structure. From there, we align you with the right lender, manage the application process and support you through to settlement.

  • Timeframes vary depending on the lender, complexity of your scenario and documentation provided. We guide you through expected timelines and manage the process to ensure it progresses as smoothly as possible.

  • This depends on your situation, but typically includes identification, income verification, assets and liabilities, and supporting financial documents. We provide a tailored checklist early in the process.

  • Yes, we manage communication with the lender throughout the process, including submission, follow-ups and negotiation where appropriate.

  • Yes, we continue to support clients as their circumstances evolve, ensuring their lending remains aligned over time.

General Questions:

  • We work with a broad panel of lenders, including major banks, non-bank lenders and specialist providers, allowing us to match you with a solution that best fits your needs.

  • Borrowing capacity depends on a range of factors including income, expenses, existing commitments and the lender’s assessment criteria. We can provide a tailored assessment once we have a clear understanding of your situation.

  • A credit enquiry may be recorded as part of the application process, regardless of whether you go through a broker or directly to a lender. We take a considered approach to lender selection to minimise unnecessary enquiries and ensure each application is well-positioned from the start.

  • Yes, we can assess your preferred lender alongside other options to ensure it aligns with your objectives and overall lending strategy, giving you confidence in your decision.