5 common reasons home loan applications are rejected

Applying for a home loan is both exciting and stressful. When you are successful, there’s nothing like receiving that green light from a lender to say you’re on the home run to securing your dream home.


But it’s important to be aware that even if you do have pre-approval, you can be knocked back for a home loan. Pre-approval is an indication from a lender that they’re likely to approve you for a specific loan, but you still have to meet certain lending conditions.


Here are some of the common reasons why a mortgage application may be denied after you’ve been pre-approved, and what to do if you are rejected.


Your financial situation has changed

A change to your financial situation could impact your home loan application. Maybe you’ve lost your job or are working less since you were pre-approved.

Lenders will look at your ability to comfortably repay a home loan, and if your income has taken a hit of late, then you may be rejected. Likewise, if you’ve changed jobs since getting pre-approved, your lender may deem you to be a risky borrower and decline your home loan application.

Bottom line: avoid changing jobs or selling assets between pre-approval and applying for a mortgage.


Your credit score has deteriorated

If you’ve applied for other credit products since being pre-approved (such as a car loan or credit card), taken on more debt or missed repayments on existing debt, your credit score may be affected. This in turn could impact your ability to get over the line with a lender.

Be mindful of managing your existing debt carefully and avoid applying for other forms of debt after pre-approval.


The lending criteria has changed

In some instances, changes to the bank’s lending criteria could put your home loan application on ice. If they tighten their lending conditions after you were pre-approved, you may no longer be eligible for finance.

In some instances, the lender may have given you pre-approval incorrectly. For example, they may not have properly verified your information or you may have omitted information that affects your home loan application.

Be sure to provide all the right documentation right from the get-go.


The lender has reservations about the property

Lenders may be hesitant to provide finance for certain types of properties, particularly those they suspect may be difficult to sell down the track. Examples may include inner city apartments, properties needing significant renovations and those in high-risk disaster-prone areas.

Check with your lender prior to house hunting about whether they’re less inclined to lend money for certain types of properties.


Interest rates have increased

Say there’s an interest rate rise in the time between pre-approval and your home loan application. The lender may find you can no longer service the loan and your application may be rejected.

Look into whether rate locking is an option (that is, fixing your interest rate before your home loan application is complete) to prevent this from happening.


What to do if your home loan application is rejected

If your home loan application is unsuccessful, you may need to:

  • Provide further documentation about your financial circumstances
  • Work on improving your credit score
  • Shop around for a different lender (but don’t apply to multiple lenders in a short time immediately after a rejection, as this can negatively affect your credit rating)
  • Stay in your current employment longer
  • Set up a budget and demonstrate your savings ability better
  • Find a different property.


Whatever you decide to do, we’re here to help you tackle any hurdles and be approved for a home loan.

Having a mortgage broker on your team can help increase your chances of a successful home loan application, as we take the time to understand your financial situation, as well as the lenders’ requirements.


To chat through your finance options, get in touch today.

Are investors changing course after the new negative gearing reforms?

August 20, 2026
The Federal Government’s negative gearing and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) reforms represents a significant shift in how future property investments will be treated for tax purposes. For investors considering their next purchase, the changes may influence everything from the type of property they buy to how they assess cash flow and long-term returns. Legislated, many investors are reassessing their property purchasing plans and strategies. The core reforms have now passed Parliament, although some of the more detailed implementation rules are still being finalised ahead of their commencement. If you’re looking to buy an investment property down the track, here’s what you need to know about the reforms and how they change the playing field. What is changing? On 12 May, Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the Federal Budget , which included major changes to negative gearing and CGT rules. From 1 July 2027: Negative gearing for residential property investments will be limited to new builds. The 50 per cent CGT discount will be replaced with cost base indexation and a 30 per cent minimum tax rate on capital gains. Properties held before the announcement (7:30pm AEST 12 May 2026) will be exempt from the negative gearing changes, while the CGT reforms will only apply to gains accruing after 1 July 2027. How have the reforms affected the market and investors? When the changes were announced, Australia’s property market had already been cooling, driven by a combination of cash rate hikes, housing affordability constraints, the Middle East conflict, and cost-of-living pressures. But the Federal Budget reforms dampened the market even further, with auction clearance rates slipping to levels worse than during the pandemic, and investor confidence dropping. One survey of more than 1,400 Australian investors found that more than 80% believed residential investment property had become less attractive following the 2026 Federal Budget changes. At the same time, 51.5% said they planned to hold their existing investments and wait to see how the proposed legislation evolves. Overall, the survey offers a useful snapshot of investor sentiment, although it should not be taken as representative of every Australian property investor. Key shifts in strategy Since the announcement, there have been early signs that some investors are reconsidering where and how they invest, although it is too soon to say how the reforms will reshape the broader property market over the long term. New builds could attract more attention With negative gearing limited to new builds from 1 July 2027, there are signs that some investors are pivoting towards newly constructed properties. Data from property fund manager Oliver Hume shows the proportion of new-build sales to investors in Victoria has risen above 40 per cent for the first time since December 2024, for example. Experts say investors will likely switch to new units or houses on the outer city fringes, while suburbs in the middle of cities could experience a decrease in stock, potentially resulting in higher rents . Holding or grandfathering existing assets Investors with established properties purchased before 12 May 2026 may choose to retain those properties, as they are exempt from the negative gearing reforms and can continue to access the existing tax treatment that applies to grandfathered properties. These investors can keep negative gearing the property against their wage income and retain the full benefits until they sell. Cash flow could become an even bigger consideration Historically, negative gearing enabled investors to offset losses on established investment properties against their taxable income. But under the changes , investors purchasing established properties would no longer receive immediate tax relief on those losses. The changes may prompt some investors to focus more heavily on rental yield , cash flow and long-term returns when assessing investment opportunities. As a result, positively geared properties could become more attractive relative to investments that rely heavily on tax concessions to support returns. Some may also look for properties with the potential to transition to positive gearing over time as rental income grows. What about the changes to SMSF borrowing? In addition to the CGT and negative gearing reforms, there are new rules around self-managed super fund (SMSF) borrowing. From 10 August 2026, SMSFs can no longer use Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) to buy residential property. Current LRBAs are grandfathered. SMSFs can still purchase residential property outright using cash , and LRBAs can be used to acquire business real property. The changes have been met with mixed reviews among investors, and some critics questioning whether it would make it harder for Australians to build retirement wealth . Some experts also believe that the changes could increase the appeal of commercial property among SMSF investors, although SMSF property investment can involve complex lending, tax and superannuation requirements, so specialist financial, legal and tax advice is particularly important. Considering an investment property purchase? The changes in the budget mean investors may need to think differently about the type of property they purchase, its cash flow and how the investment fits within their broader financial plans. While we can’t provide tax or financial advice, we can help you understand the lending side of the equation. We can review your borrowing capacity, compare suitable loan options and help you understand how different property and loan scenarios could affect your repayments and overall finance structure. If you’re considering your next investment property, get in touch! We can help you explore your finance options so you can make your next move with a clearer understanding.

What’s driving the drop in auction clearance rates?

July 20, 2026
After years of fierce competition, fast-rising prices and crowded auction weekends, the market is beginning to show signs of a shift. More properties are being listed for sale, homes are taking longer to sell, and buyers are becoming increasingly selective about what they’re willing to pay.