Loan Increases & Equity Release
Expert guidance from someone who actually cares.
Your home could help fund your next step. Whether you’re renovating, buying a car, consolidating debt, or accessing equity for investment opportunities, I’ll help you understand your options and structure a solution that works for your goals and lifestyle.
Is this right for you?
Homeowners with usable equity
Anyone planning renovations or a major purchase
Investors looking to leverage existing property
How I can help
What is equity release?
Equity is the difference between what your property is worth and what you owe on it. If your home has increased in value — or you’ve paid down your loan over time — you may have built up usable equity that can be accessed without selling. Equity release (also called a loan increase) lets you borrow against that equity to fund other goals, using your property as security.
What can it fund?
Home equity is one of the most flexible financial tools available to homeowners. Common uses include renovations and extensions, buying a vehicle, consolidating higher-interest debt into one lower-rate payment, funding a deposit on an investment property, or releasing capital for business or personal needs. The key is structuring it correctly so the new borrowing works with your overall financial position — not against it.
When is it worth doing?
Equity release makes sense when the cost of borrowing against your home is lower than your alternatives — and when the purpose adds long-term value or improves your financial position. It’s not always the right move, and I’ll be upfront with you if it’s not. What you’ll need: a current property valuation (I’ll arrange this), a clear picture of your existing loan balance, and a sense of what you want to achieve. From there, I’ll run the numbers and walk you through your options.
Everything you'd want to know
Mortgages can feel complicated. Here are the questions I get asked most often — answered plainly, without the jargon.
Nothing — my service is completely free to you. I’m paid a commission by the lender once your loan settles, so there are no out-of-pocket costs or fees deducted from your funds. This doesn’t affect your interest rate, and I’m legally required to act in your best interests at all times.
I'm accredited with 30+ lenders including the major banks, second-tier lenders, and specialist non-banks. This gives me a far broader view of the market than if you went directly to a single bank.
It varies, but from your first appointment to a formal approval is typically 1–7 business days for a straightforward application. From there, settlement is usually 2–6 weeks. I'll give you a realistic timeline based on your specific situation.
Yes, some lenders specialise in non-conforming or adverse credit scenarios. The first step is understanding your full situation — book a free chat and I'll give you an honest assessment of your options including what you can do do to improve your credit score.
A fixed rate secures your repayments for a set term (usually 1–5 years), providing stability and certainty. A variable rate fluctuates with the market, meaning your repayments can decrease or increase over time. You can opt for a split loan to enjoy the benefits of both options. I’ll help you determine which structure best aligns with your goals and circumstances.
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is a one-off premium charged by the lender when you borrow more than 80% of the property value. It protects the lender, not you. You can avoid it by having a 20%+ deposit, using a guarantor, qualifying for government schemes such as the First Home Guarantee, or in some cases through specialist policies such as medico or professional packages if you work in an eligible industry.
Not at all. I work with clients across the Tweed Coast, Northern NSW, Gold Coast, and all over Australia via phone and video calls, as most loans can be fully managed online. If you’re local and prefer a face-to-face meeting, that’s great too — it’s completely up to you.
Typically, lenders will request documents such as recent payslips, the last 2 years of tax returns if you’re self-employed, around 3 months of bank statements, identification, and details of any existing loans or debts. Different lenders may require slightly different documentation depending on your situation. I’ll provide you with a personalised checklist once we’ve had our first chat.
Still have questions? Ask me directly →
Stephanie Newman Australian Credit Representative number 388799 and Coastal Home Lending Pty Ltd Australian Corporate Credit Representative number 578712 are licenced Credit Representatives of Australian Finance Group Ltd Licence number 389087. ACN 066385822. This is general information only. Please seek personal financial advice tailored to your circumstances.
All loan applications are subject to lender credit assessment and approval criteria. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply.