Absolutely, yes. Many of my clients are single-income earners who successfully purchase homes. Lenders assess your borrowing capacity based on your income, expenses, and financial commitments. While it's true that two incomes can borrow more, there are several factors working in your favour as a single buyer:

• Government schemes like the Family Home Guarantee and First Home Guarantee are specifically designed to help people on single incomes
• You only need to support your own lifestyle and debts (unless you have dependents)
• Lenders consider all forms of stable income, including salary, wages, child support, Centrelink payments, and even regular overtime or bonuses

The key is working with a broker who understands how to present your application in the best possible light and knows which lenders are most supportive of single-income borrowers.

It depends on which schemes you're eligible for, but it could be as little as 2%.

Here's the breakdown:

• Family Home Guarantee (single parents): Just 2% deposit, no Lenders Mortgage Insurance
• First Home Guarantee: 5% deposit, no Lenders Mortgage Insurance
• Boost to Buy (launching late 2025): 2% deposit with government equity contribution
• Traditional home loan: 20% deposit to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance, or 10-19% with LMI

For example, if you're buying a $500,000 home under the Family Home Guarantee, you'd need just $10,000 as a deposit (2%), compared to $100,000 (20%) for a traditional loan. This makes homeownership achievable years sooner.

We'll look at your savings and determine which pathway gets you into your own home fastest.

Yes, child support can be counted as income, but there are specific requirements. Lenders typically want to see:

• At least 3-6 months of consistent child support payments documented in your bank statements
• A formal child support agreement or court order (informal arrangements are harder to verify)
• Evidence that payments are reliable and likely to continue

Most lenders will accept child support until your youngest child turns 12-15 years old, depending on the lender's policy. Some lenders are more flexible than others, which is where having an experienced broker makes all the difference.

Centrelink payments like the Family Tax Benefit and Parenting Payment can also be included in your income assessment, helping boost your borrowing capacity.

You can absolutely start planning and preparing, even if your separation isn't finalized. In fact , it is better to know how much you can borrow before you sign your settlement agreement. However, the timing of your application depends on your specific circumstances:

If your property settlement is complete: You can move forward immediately. I'll help you understand how the settlement affects your borrowing capacity and what you can afford.

If your property settlement is pending: We can start preparing your application and getting pre-approval in principle, but most lenders will want the settlement finalized before formal approval. This waiting period is actually valuable—it gives us time to:

• Improve your credit score if needed
• Build up your deposit
• Address any debts or financial concerns
• Get all your documentation in order

If you're still living in the family home: Some women worry they need to move out first, but that's not always the case. We can discuss your options and timing.

Every separation is different, so let's have a confidential conversation about your specific situation and create a timeline that works for you.

No, you don't need perfect credit—but your credit history does matter. Lenders want to see that you're responsible with money and can manage repayments reliably.

What lenders look for:

• Consistent bill payments (utilities, rent, phone)
• No recent defaults or missed payments
• Low credit card debt relative to your limits
• No recent bankruptcy or court judgments

If you have credit issues: Don't panic. Many things can be explained or improved:

• Old defaults from years ago have less impact than recent ones
• Medical bills, relationship breakdowns, or temporary job loss can be explained with a written statement
• Some lenders specialize in working with people who've had credit challenges
• You can improve your credit score in 3-6 months by paying bills on time, reducing debt, and avoiding new credit applications

I always recommend getting a copy of your credit report before we meet so we can address any issues proactively. Sometimes what you think is a major problem is actually quite manageable.

This is one of the most common questions I get, and the answer is: it depends.

For the Queensland First Home Owner Grant ($30,000), the key requirement is that you personally have never owned residential property in Australia that was your principal place of residence. If your ex-partner owned property but you were never on the title, you may still qualify as a first-home buyer.

However, if you were on the title of a property you lived in, even briefly, you generally won't qualify for the FHOG.

But here's the good news:

• You may still qualify for the Family Home Guarantee (for single parents) even if you've owned property before
• Stamp duty concessions for first-home buyers have similar eligibility—if you weren't on the title, you may still qualify
• There are other grant programs and schemes beyond the FHOG

Every situation is unique, especially after separation. I'll review your specific circumstances and determine exactly which programs you're eligible for. Often there are options you haven't even considered.

Typically 8-16 weeks from our first meeting to settlement, but it varies based on your situation.

Here's a realistic timeline:

Week 1-2: Initial consultation and preparation

• We meet to discuss your goals and assess your situation
• You gather necessary documents (payslips, bank statements, ID)

Week 2-4: Pre-approval

• I submit your application to the most suitable lender
• You receive conditional approval (usually within 1-2 weeks)

Week 4-8: Property search

• You start looking at homes within your budget
• I'm available to answer questions as you search

Week 8-10: Formal application

• You find a property and make an offer
• Once accepted, I submit the formal loan application
• Lender arranges property valuation

Week 10-12: Final approval

• Lender reviews everything and issues formal approval
• Your solicitor prepares settlement documents

Week 12-14: Settlement