Mark Guglielmino

Self-employed borrowers typically need to provide more comprehensive documentation than PAYG employees to demonstrate income stability and business viability. Essential documents include two years of tax returns including Notice of Assessments, BAS statements for the past 12 months, profit and loss statements, and bank statements showing business cash flow. You may also need ABN registration details, accountant-prepared financial statements, and evidence of business registration or licensing. At Capra Financial Group, we understand that self-employed income can be complex and variable. We work closely with you to ensure your documentation presents your financial position in the most favourable light possible, helping lenders understand your true earning capacity and business sustainability.

We arrange a comprehensive range of loan products to meet diverse client needs across Australia. Our services include home loans for owner-occupiers and investors, commercial property financing, business loans, equipment finance, and personal loans. We also specialise in construction loans, land purchases, and development financing. For self-employed clients, we have access to lenders who understand variable income patterns and can assess non-traditional income sources. PAYG employees benefit from our relationships with mainstream lenders offering competitive rates and terms. Additionally, we can arrange specialty financing such as SMSF loans, bridging finance, and debt consolidation loans. Our broad lender panel ensures we can find appropriate solutions regardless of your employment type or financial complexity.

Our brokerage services are typically paid for by the lenders we work with, meaning most clients don't pay upfront fees for our assistance. When we successfully arrange a loan for you, the lender pays us a commission, which allows us to provide our expertise and guidance without direct cost to you. However, some specialised services or complex loan structures may involve specific fees, which we always discuss transparently before proceeding. We believe in clear communication about all costs involved in your loan process, ensuring you understand exactly what you're agreeing to. This approach allows us to remain independent while providing valuable service to both PAYG and self-employed clients across Australia.

Pre-approval is highly recommended before beginning your property search as it provides clarity on your borrowing capacity and demonstrates to vendors that you're a serious buyer. The pre-approval process involves a comprehensive assessment of your financial situation, including income verification, expense analysis, and credit history review. For PAYG employees, this process is typically straightforward with recent payslips and employment confirmation. Self-employed borrowers need to provide business financial documentation as outlined in our earlier responses. At Capra Financial Group, we ensure your pre-approval application is thorough and accurate, maximising your approved amount while ensuring it remains realistic for your circumstances. Pre-approval typically lasts 90 days and can provide significant advantage in competitive property markets.

Fixed interest rates remain unchanged for a specified period, typically 1-5 years, providing certainty in your repayments regardless of market movements. This protection helps with budgeting and shields you from interest rate rises during the fixed period. Variable rates fluctuate with market conditions and Reserve Bank of Australia decisions, meaning your repayments can increase or decrease over time. Variable loans often offer more flexibility with features like offset accounts, redraw facilities, and the ability to make extra repayments without penalties. At Capra Financial Group, we help you understand how each option suits your financial situation and risk tolerance. We can also arrange split loans, combining fixed and variable portions to provide both certainty and flexibility in your loan structure.

Self-employed borrowers often face additional scrutiny from lenders due to variable income patterns and different documentation requirements. Lenders typically assess your income over two years of tax returns, which may not reflect your current earning capacity if your business is growing. Some lenders may also reduce your declared income by a percentage to account for perceived income volatility. However, being self-employed doesn't prevent you from obtaining finance. At Capra Financial Group, we work with lenders who understand self-employed income structures and can assess your application based on business cash flow, accountant statements, and other indicators of financial stability. We help present your income in the most favourable way possible and identify lenders whose policies align with your specific circumstances.

Absolutely. Refinancing can be an excellent strategy to reduce your monthly repayments, access equity in your property, or consolidate debts. Our team analyses your current loan against available market options to determine if refinancing would benefit your financial position. We consider factors such as interest rate differences, fees involved in switching, and your long-term financial goals. For self-employed borrowers, refinancing can sometimes be more challenging due to changing income documentation requirements since your original loan approval. However, our expertise in working with various lenders means we can often find solutions even when circumstances have changed. We handle the entire refinancing process, from initial assessment through to settlement, ensuring minimal disruption to your routine.

The timeframe for loan approval varies depending on the loan type, lender requirements, and complexity of your financial situation. For straightforward applications with complete documentation, approval can occur within 7-14 days. However, more complex scenarios, particularly for self-employed applicants or unique property types, may take 3-6 weeks or longer. Pre-approval processes are generally quicker, often completed within a few days to one week. At Capra Financial Group, we work diligently to expedite your application by ensuring all documentation is complete and accurate before submission. We maintain regular contact with lenders to monitor progress and address any queries promptly. Throughout the process, we keep you informed of progress and any additional requirements that may arise.

Determining whether you're receiving suitable terms requires comparing your offer against current market rates and understanding how your personal circumstances affect pricing. Interest rates vary based on factors including loan-to-value ratio, employment type, loan amount, and lender assessment of your risk profile. At Capra Financial Group, our extensive lender network allows us to benchmark offers and negotiate on your behalf. We don't just focus on interest rates alone - we evaluate the complete package including fees, features, and flexibility. For instance, a slightly higher rate might be worthwhile if it includes valuable features like offset accounts or flexible repayment options. We provide transparent analysis of all offers, explaining the long-term cost implications and helping you make informed decisions based on your specific needs and circumstances.

A finance broker acts as an intermediary between you and lenders, helping you secure the most suitable loan for your circumstances. At Capra Financial Group, we work with a wide network of banks, credit unions, and non-bank lenders across Australia to find financing solutions that match your specific needs. Whether you're a PAYG employee or self-employed, we understand the unique challenges each employment type faces when applying for loans. Our experienced brokers handle the application process, negotiate terms on your behalf, and provide ongoing support throughout your loan journey. This service saves you time and effort while potentially securing more favourable terms than approaching lenders directly.