Jason Blackburne

Three Sixty Finance works with a diverse panel of lenders that extends well beyond the major banks. While we certainly have access to loans from Australia's largest banking institutions, we also work with regional banks, credit unions, and specialist lenders. This broad access is one of the key advantages of using a mortgage broker rather than approaching a single bank directly. Different lenders have different assessment criteria, product features, and areas of specialisation. Some lenders are particularly suited to self-employed borrowers, while others excel with first home buyers or investors. Some offer specific products for unique property types or situations. By having relationships with multiple lenders, we can match your particular circumstances with the institutions most likely to approve your application and provide suitable loan options. This diversity of choice is particularly valuable if your situation is slightly outside standard lending criteria or if you're looking for particular loan features.

The timeframe for a mortgage application varies depending on several factors, including how quickly you can provide documentation, the lender's current processing times, and the complexity of your financial situation. Generally, pre-approval can take anywhere from 24 hours to a week once we've submitted a complete application. Formal approval after you've found a property typically takes one to four weeks, though this can be longer during busy periods or if the lender requires additional information. At Three Sixty Finance, we work to ensure your application is complete and accurate before submission, which helps avoid delays caused by missing information or errors. We maintain regular communication with lenders to monitor progress and address any queries promptly. Throughout the process, we keep you informed about where things stand and what the next steps are. If you're working to a specific settlement date, let us know upfront so we can plan accordingly and work with lenders who can meet your timeline.

Yes, refinancing is one of the core services we provide to clients throughout Perth and Western Australia. There are many reasons why homeowners consider refinancing their existing loan, including accessing equity for renovations or investment purposes, consolidating debts, or switching to a loan product that aligns with their current financial goals. The lending market evolves constantly, and the loan that suited you several years ago might not be the right option now. We review your current loan structure, assess your present financial circumstances, and research what's currently available in the market. We then provide you with a clear comparison showing whether refinancing would be beneficial for your situation. This includes calculating any costs involved, such as discharge fees from your current lender or application fees with a new lender. Our obligation is to ensure that any change genuinely serves your financial interests, not just to move you to a different product.

A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary between you and potential lenders when you're looking to secure a home loan. At Three Sixty Finance, we work on your behalf to understand your financial situation, property goals, and borrowing needs. We then research and compare loan products from multiple lenders across Australia to find options that suit your circumstances. Our role includes preparing your application, liaising with lenders throughout the process, and guiding you through to settlement. Unlike approaching a single bank directly, working with a broker gives you access to a wider range of loan products and lenders, potentially including options you might not have discovered on your own. We handle the paperwork and communication, saving you time and helping you make informed decisions about one of the biggest financial commitments you'll make.

Pre-approval, sometimes called conditional approval, is an initial assessment by a lender indicating they're willing to lend you a specific amount based on the financial information you've provided. This is obtained before you've found a property to purchase and gives you confidence about your budget when house hunting. Pre-approval typically lasts three to six months and shows real estate agents and sellers that you're a serious buyer with financing arranged. However, it's not a guarantee, as it's subject to property valuation and final verification of your circumstances. Formal approval comes after you've signed a contract to purchase a property. At this stage, the lender conducts a valuation of the specific property, verifies that your financial situation hasn't changed, and provides final approval for the loan. Formal approval is required before settlement can occur. At Three Sixty Finance, we guide you through both stages, explaining what's needed at each point and managing the process with the lender.

When applying for a home loan through Three Sixty Finance, you'll need to provide documentation that verifies your identity, income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. This typically includes proof of identity such as your driver's licence and passport, recent payslips or tax returns if you're self-employed, bank statements showing your savings and spending patterns, and details of any existing debts like credit cards or personal loans. If you're purchasing a property, we'll also need details about the property itself. The specific requirements can vary depending on your employment type and the lender's criteria. For self-employed clients, the documentation requirements are usually more extensive. We'll provide you with a comprehensive checklist tailored to your situation and help you gather everything needed. Having your documentation organised from the start helps speed up the application process and demonstrates to lenders that you're a prepared and serious borrower.

Investment property lending is an important service area for Three Sixty Finance, and we work with clients across WA who are building property portfolios or purchasing their first investment property. Investment loans differ from owner-occupied home loans in several ways, including assessment criteria, deposit requirements, and available product features. Lenders evaluate investment loan applications differently because they're considered higher risk, and they'll assess the potential rental income as part of your serviceability. We help you understand how lenders will view your investment proposal and structure your application accordingly. Whether you're purchasing a residential property to rent out, buying an off-the-plan apartment, or expanding an existing portfolio, we can research suitable lenders and loan products. We also consider your broader financial strategy and how the investment loan fits within your overall wealth-building plan. Our experience with investment lending means we understand the questions to ask and the information lenders need to assess your application favourably.

Absolutely. First home buyers form a significant part of our client base across Perth and Western Australia. We understand that purchasing your first home can feel overwhelming, particularly when you're unfamiliar with the loan application process and the various government schemes available. Three Sixty Finance takes time to explain your options, including the First Home Owner Grant and other state and federal initiatives that may be available to you. We'll assess your financial position, help you understand your borrowing capacity, and work with you to prepare a strong application. Many first home buyers aren't aware of all the loan features and lender criteria that could benefit them. Our role is to educate and guide you through each stage, from pre-approval through to settlement, ensuring you understand what's happening and feel confident in your decisions. We're here to answer your questions and provide ongoing support.

While Three Sixty Finance is based in Perth, we service clients throughout Greater Perth and across all of Western Australia. Our clients include people in metropolitan Perth suburbs as well as regional areas throughout WA. Thanks to modern communication technology, we can work effectively with clients regardless of their location, conducting meetings via phone or video call when face-to-face meetings aren't practical. That said, we're always happy to meet in person with Perth-based clients who prefer that approach. Whether you're purchasing property in the city, suburbs, or regional centres, we can assist with your mortgage needs. Our understanding of the Western Australian property market and our relationships with lenders who operate in WA mean we're well-positioned to help clients across the state. If you're located outside Perth, don't hesitate to reach out. We've successfully helped clients from various WA locations secure finance for properties throughout the state and even interstate when that suits their investment or lifestyle goals.

Most mortgage brokers in Australia, including Three Sixty Finance, don't charge their clients directly for standard home loan services. Instead, we receive a commission from the lender when your loan settles. This means you can access our expertise, market knowledge, and service without paying upfront fees in most situations. The commission structure is regulated and doesn't affect the interest rate or loan terms you receive. In some specific cases, such as complex commercial loans or particular refinancing situations, there may be a fee for service, but we'll always discuss this with you upfront before proceeding. Our approach ensures that professional mortgage advice is accessible to clients across Greater Perth and WA, regardless of whether you're a first home buyer or an experienced property investor. We believe transparency about costs is fundamental to building trust with our clients.