Global Pathway Finance

Budget myths vs facts

Myth: negative gearing is abolished

Truth: negative gearing is not abolished. It’s been carried forward. Instead of claiming the loss annually on your tax return and getting a tax refund, the losses are now carried over towards future profits or capital gains. Eg, make 100k capital gains over 2 years but property showed a loss of 10k per year, that 20k loss now comes off your capital gain so instead of making 100k profit, you’ve made 80k profit.

Myth: capital gains tax will be 47% and minimum 30%

Truth: capital gains tax is now based on inflation. Eg, make a 10% gain on the property but the inflation over that period was 8% you only pay tax on the true gain of 2%. The initial 8% gain is tax free. The remaining net 2% has a minimum tax rate of 30%.

There is so much misinformation and doom posts out there and understandable people do get scared by it but once you understand it correctly you will have a clearer understanding of the numbers and will realise it’s not too bad.

This is not financial advice, just factual information. Reach out anytime.

Tashi Delek & Congratulations to Deki and Changala! 🏡🎉

What a special milestone and an incredible achievement. We are absolutely delighted to see you both secure your very first home in Australia.

Your journey is a beautiful example of hard work, determination, and staying committed to your dreams. Like many families, you have made sacrifices, worked tirelessly, and today those efforts have been rewarded with a place you can proudly call home.

It was truly a pleasure assisting you throughout this journey, and we are grateful for the trust and confidence you placed in Global Pathway Finance. From start to finish, it was a smooth and enjoyable transaction, and seeing the happiness on your faces makes everything worthwhile.

A home is more than just bricks and mortar—it is where memories are made, dreams grow, and families build their future. We are honoured to have been part of this important chapter in your lives.

Thank you for choosing Global Pathway Finance. We wish you both endless happiness, prosperity, and beautiful memories in your new home.

✨ Congratulations once again, Deki and Changala. Your Australian dream is now a reality! ✨

One of the questions we get asked all the time is, "Which bank is best for first home buyers?"

The answer is always... it depends.

Every first home buyer's situation is different. Some are trying to buy with a small deposit, some are looking above the Home Guarantee Scheme price caps, and others simply need a lender that will give them enough borrowing capacity to purchase the property they want.

That being said, these are probably our 3 favourite lenders for first home buyers at the moment:

🏦 CBA

Still one of our go-to lenders for buyers using the Home Guarantee Scheme. Their policies are generally quite straightforward and the rates under the scheme remain competitive.

🏦 ubank

A great option for buyers who want to purchase with a 10% deposit and avoid paying LMI (subject to eligibility). This can work really well for people looking above the Home Guarantee Scheme property price limits.

🏦 AFG Retro

One we use quite a bit when borrowing capacity is the main issue. If a buyer is just falling short with the major banks, AFG Retro can sometimes provide the extra borrowing power needed to get the deal across the line.

The biggest mistake we see first home buyers make is spending weeks researching rates before finding out whether they actually qualify with that lender.

In most cases, it's much easier to work backwards. Work out which lenders suit your situation first, then compare the options available.

A 15-minute conversation with a broker can often save a lot of time, stress and disappointment later on.

We're doing a lot of refinances at the moment, and these are probably our 3 favourite banks right now:

🏦 People First Bank
• Super sharp rates
• $0 ongoing fees
• Multiple offset accounts
• $1,000 cashback available on loans over $500k

🏦 Macquarie
• Very fast turnaround times
• Excellent online banking platform
• Great for equity release

We recently completed an $800k equity release through Macquarie with minimal hassle.

🏦 Bankwest / CBA
• Strong valuations
• Great option for investors looking to maximise usable equity
• Can also work well for homeowners who originally purchased with LMI and want to improve their position sooner

The important thing to remember is that it always starts with which lenders you actually qualify for.

Don't spend weeks researching a bank or chasing a particular deal, only to find out later that you don't meet the policy requirements.

Speak to a broker first. We can quickly narrow down which lenders suit your situation and which ones you're likely to qualify for.

📞 Feel free to reach out if you'd like us to review your current loan.

Cutting Through the Mortgage Jargon

One of the biggest barriers for first home buyers is simply understanding the language lenders use. Here's a quick breakdown of a few terms you’ve probably come across:

LVR (Loan to Value Ratio)

This is the percentage of the property’s value you're borrowing. For example, if you’re buying a $500,000 home and borrowing $450,000, your LVR is 90%.
LMI (Lenders Mortgage Insurance)
Despite the name, this insurance protects the lender—not you—if your deposit is under 20%. It can be a significant cost, but there are schemes that can help you avoid it.

Offset Account

This is a savings account linked to your home loan. The money in it reduces the interest charged on your loan, which can save you thousands over time.
Fixed vs Variable Rates
Fixed rates stay the same for a set period, giving you stability. Variable rates can move up or down with the market—offering flexibility, but less certainty.

If you're planning to buy your first home and want straightforward advice (without the jargon), feel free to reach out.