🏡 June 2025 Newsletter - Deposit Bonds, Forgotten Cash & Early Signs the Market's Waking Up! Good news. QLD FHOG extended until June 30 2026.
🏦 What Is a Deposit Bond – And When Should You Use One?
Have your eye on an off-the-plan property or a long settlement timeframe? A deposit bond could be your best friend.
Instead of putting down a cash deposit (usually 10%) upfront, a deposit bond acts as a guarantee to the developer that you'll pay that amount at settlement. This gives you the advantage of:
Keeping your savings or equity working for you,
Avoiding the need to increase your loan for the deposit,
Making the application process faster and smoother.
📝 Real case example: Our clients secured a $1.52M apartment with a 5.5-year settlement using a deposit bond. Instead of borrowing an extra $152,000, we simply added the cost of the bond to their refinance, saving them up to $20,000 in interest over the bond term.
📌 Key requirement: You must own a property to secure the bond—and plan to sell or release equity from that property before settlement.
👉 Thinking about buying off-the-plan? Let’s talk strategy.
💳 Credit Check Surprise: Forgotten Cash Found!
During a routine credit report review for a client’s refinance, we noticed an unused credit card that was still active… Instead of being in debt, it was fully paid off and in Credit for the client, as she’d forgotten to stop her automatic payment with the credit card provider. With extra cash, the client had forgotten entirely about it!
They had assumed the card was closed and were thrilled to discover the funds could be used to pay legal fees and reduce out-of-pocket costs at settlement.
🔍 Moral of the story?
A thorough mortgage broker assessment often uncovers hidden assets or opportunities. It’s one of the many ways we add real value beyond just finding the lowest rate.
📈 Market Movement: Brokers Are Busy Again—What Does It Mean?
We’ve seen a noticeable uptick in mortgage activity this month, with more clients:
Refinancing to release equity,
Preparing to re-enter the investment market,
Using tools like deposit bonds to buy before prices rise.
While it's too early to call it a boom, momentum is building. More rate cuts may be on the horizon, and many Australians are positioning themselves early for the next wave of market opportunity.
If you're considering refinancing, upgrading, or investing, now is a smart time to review your strategy and act before demand heats up.
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🏠 Big News: Queensland First Home Owner Grant Extended to 2026
Great news for first-time buyers in Queensland! The $30,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) has been extended until 30 June 2026. This generous grant applies to:
Purchasing or building a new home valued under $750,000,
Contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2026.
Additionally, eligible first home buyers may benefit from stamp duty exemptions on new homes, potentially saving thousands more.
📌 Eligibility Highlights:
Must be an individual (not a company or trust) aged 18 or older,
Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident,
Must live in the home as your principal place of residence within a year of settlement/handover and stay there continuously for at least six months.
For more details and to check your eligibility, visit the Queensland Government's FHOG page.
To learn about FHOG in your State, and to check if you are eligible, jump on our FHOG FAQ page.
👋 Ready to Make Your Next Move?
Whether you’re looking to buy, refinance, or want to know what’s possible, or have us run a credit check, we’re here to help.
📞 Shona Stephenson
Principal Mortgage Broker
0417 693 281
📧 shona@bestff.com.au
Let’s put your best foot forward 🦶 in the property market.
