Mortgage Broker in The Basin VIC
Home loans, investment loans and refinancing for The Basin residents - handled with care from start to finish.
Rated 5 from 82 Reviews
Home loans, investment loans and refinancing for The Basin residents - handled with care from start to finish.
Rated 5 from 82 Reviews
As a mortgage broker in The Basin, Craft Financial works with home buyers, property investors and self-employed borrowers across The Basin and Melbourne's eastern suburbs. We take the time to understand your situation before recommending anything - because the right loan depends on a lot more than just your income.
Whether you are buying your first home in The Basin, upsizing, or looking to settle somewhere long-term, getting the right loan structure from the start makes a real difference. As your mortgage broker in The Basin, we work with a broad panel of lenders across Australia, which means we compare home loan options based on your actual circumstances rather than pointing you toward whatever a single bank has available. We help you understand your borrowing position, get pre-approval sorted, and walk you through the process from application through to settlement.
The Basin has a mix of established family homes and quieter residential streets that attract buyers looking for space and value within reach of the city. We know the local property market and can help you move with confidence when the right property comes up.
For property investors looking at The Basin, the eastern suburbs corridor continues to attract attention for its relative affordability and solid rental demand. Whether you are purchasing your first investment property or adding to an existing portfolio, structuring your investment loan correctly matters - particularly if you are self-employed or carry complex income across multiple entities.
As your mortgage broker in The Basin, we work through the numbers with you, look at how a new purchase fits alongside your existing lending, and make sure the structure supports your longer-term strategy. We also connect clients with trusted accountants and buyers agents where it adds value. Getting the right people around you early can save a lot of time and money.
If you have held your loan for a few years and have not had it reviewed, there is a reasonable chance you are paying more than you need to. Refinancing is not just about chasing a lower rate - it is also about making sure your loan structure still fits where you are headed.
As a mortgage broker in The Basin, we review your current lending, compare it against what is available across our lender panel, and give you an honest picture of whether switching makes sense. For property investors and self-employed borrowers in The Basin, refinancing can also be an opportunity to release equity and fund the next purchase. We handle the paperwork and deal directly with the lenders so the process does not fall on you.
Across all of these services, our approach is the same - we listen first, we give you clear information, and we stay involved well beyond settlement. We also assist with construction loans for those looking to build or renovate in The Basin.
If you are ready to talk through your options, book an appointment and we will take it from there.
1. Discovery Chat
We start with a quick call to get to know you - your goals, your income, your current setup, and where you want to head. At this stage, we collect the key documents we need so we can move quickly and avoid delays later. For The Basin clients, this is about understanding your short-term plans as well as your longer-term goals so we can map out the right path forward as your mortgage broker in The Basin.
2. Strategy and Options
Once we have the full picture, we put together lending strategies tailored to you. We show you what you can borrow, how the repayments look, and which lenders fit your situation. The focus is not just on this loan, but on how it positions you for future opportunities - whether that is another property in The Basin or further afield. Where it adds value, we may also introduce you to our trusted network of accountants, buyers agents, and conveyancers.
3. Application Handled for You
When you are ready, your mortgage broker in The Basin takes care of the paperwork and deals directly with the lender so you do not have to. Our team handles the heavy lifting while keeping you updated at every step. We make the process clear and straightforward so you can focus on what matters most.
4. Approval and Settlement
We work to secure the right outcome for you - whether that is pre-approval, a refinance, or settlement on your new place in The Basin. We guide you right through to the finish line, explaining everything along the way so you are never left in the dark.
5. Ongoing Support
We do not disappear after the loan settles. As your mortgage broker in The Basin, we keep reviewing and repricing your loans so you are never paying more than you should. Think of us as your long-term finance partner, checking in regularly to make sure your setup still works as your life and goals evolve. When you need specialists around you, we can connect you with the right people at the right time.
Craft Financial is led by Tom Carmody, a Finance and Mortgage Broker who works with home buyers, property investors and self-employed borrowers across The Basin and Melbourne's eastern suburbs. The team works seven days a week and brings a genuinely client-first approach to every conversation.
As your mortgage broker in The Basin, Tom has a solid understanding of the local property market - the types of homes available, what buyers are looking for, and how lenders assess properties in the area. That local knowledge, combined with his experience handling complex income structures and multi-property lending scenarios, means he is well-placed to help whether you are buying your first home, growing an investment portfolio, or refinancing a loan you have held for years.
Craft Financial is an MFAA member and works with a broad panel of lenders across Australia. That means The Basin residents have access to a wide range of home loan, investment loan, refinancing and construction loan options - not just whatever one bank has on offer.
From your first conversation through to settlement and beyond, your mortgage broker in The Basin manages the process, handles the paperwork and liaises with lenders directly. Once your loan settles, we continue to review your lending to make sure you are never paying more than you should. We are not just here for this transaction - we are here as a long-term finance partner as your goals change and grow.
Learn more about Tom Carmody or read about Craft Financial to see how we work.
Book AppointmentSA
Scott Avery
MW
Megan Wailes
We refinanced with Craft after moving from our previous broker. Tom and Dane kept on top of communication at each point, went above and beyond to find us the best rate for our situation and ensured all our options were laid out and clear. They were honestly a lifesaver when we were working against the clock after our previous fixed rate ended. Very impressed.
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shereen el-dabbagh
Tom made the whole process of buying our home so much easier and far less stressful than we expected. He was patient, honest, and always quick to respond whenever we had questions, no matter how small. His knowledge and guidance gave us real confidence at every stage, and we always felt like he genuinely had our best interests at heart. We really appreciated how he took the time to explain things clearly and kept everything moving smoothly right through to settlement. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome and would highly recommend Tom to anyone looking to buy a home.
We arrange finance for a wide range of investment property types across Australia. This includes residential houses, units, townhouses, and apartments in metropolitan and regional areas. We also have access to lenders who finance unique properties like student accommodation, dual occupancy properties, and houses with minor non-conforming features. Whether you're purchasing established properties or off-the-plan developments, we can structure appropriate finance solutions. Some lenders have restrictions on certain property types or locations, but our extensive panel ensures we can usually find suitable options. We also help with commercial property purchases when they form part of your investment strategy, connecting you with specialist commercial lenders when required.
As specialists in working with self-employed property investors, we understand the unique challenges you face when securing finance. Traditional lenders often struggle to assess self-employed income, which can make the mortgage application process more complex. Our team has extensive experience working with various income structures including sole traders, partnerships, companies, and trusts. We know which lenders are most receptive to self-employed borrowers and how to present your financial position in the most favourable light. This specialised knowledge means we can often secure finance when others cannot, helping you build your property portfolio without unnecessary delays or rejections.
The documentation requirements vary depending on your business structure and the lender's requirements. Generally, you'll need two years of tax returns including notices of assessment, recent business activity statements, and bank statements for both personal and business accounts. If you operate through a company or trust, we'll need financial statements and company documents. For your investment property, you'll need a contract of sale, rental appraisal, and property valuations. We provide you with a comprehensive checklist tailored to your specific situation and help you gather everything efficiently. Our team reviews your documents before submission to ensure they present your application in the strongest possible manner to lenders.
Our assessment process looks beyond traditional employment income to understand your complete financial picture. We examine your tax returns, business activity statements, bank statements, and cash flow patterns to determine your genuine borrowing capacity. For self-employed clients, we consider factors like business consistency, industry trends, and seasonal variations in income. We also look at your existing property portfolio, rental income potential, and investment strategy. This comprehensive approach often reveals borrowing capacity that traditional assessments might miss, allowing you to maximise your investment opportunities while ensuring the loans remain serviceable within your financial circumstances.
Our mortgage broking services are typically funded through commissions paid by lenders, which means most clients don't pay direct fees for our standard services. However, for complex applications requiring significant additional work, or for certain specialised services, we may charge professional fees. These are always discussed and agreed upon upfront before any work commences. We believe in complete transparency about costs, so you'll always know exactly what you're paying for any services. Our focus is on providing value through our expertise and securing finance outcomes that justify any costs involved. Most clients find that the benefits we deliver through loan structuring and lender selection far outweigh any fees charged.
A declined application doesn't mean the end of your property investment plans. Our extensive lender panel means we often have alternative options when one lender says no. Different lenders have varying appetite for self-employed borrowers and different assessment criteria, so a decline from one doesn't predict outcomes with others. We analyse the reasons for any decline and adjust our approach accordingly, whether that means presenting information differently, choosing alternative lenders, or addressing specific concerns raised. Sometimes a decline indicates we need to strengthen your application by improving documentation or waiting for better financial results. We work with you to understand what's needed and develop a plan to achieve your financing goals, even if it takes longer than initially expected.
Absolutely. Refinancing can be an excellent strategy for property investors to improve cash flow, access equity, or secure more favourable loan terms. We regularly help self-employed investors refinance their portfolios to take advantage of changing market conditions or their improved financial position. The process involves reviewing your current loans, assessing your financial situation, and identifying opportunities for improvement. This might include consolidating multiple loans, switching to interest-only payments, or accessing equity for your next purchase. We handle the entire refinancing process including valuations, legal documentation, and settlement coordination, ensuring minimal disruption to your investment strategy while maximising the financial benefits.
Portfolio structuring is one of our key strengths when working with property investors. We help you optimise your loan structure across multiple properties to maximise tax benefits, maintain flexibility, and prepare for future growth. This might involve using different loan products for different properties, structuring cross-collateralised facilities, or keeping properties in separate loan accounts for easier management. We consider factors like your entity structure, tax position, and future investment plans when recommending portfolio arrangements. Our approach ensures your finance structure supports your long-term investment strategy rather than creating limitations. We also review existing portfolios to identify restructuring opportunities that could improve your position or unlock additional borrowing capacity.
The timeframe varies depending on several factors including the complexity of your financial situation, the lender chosen, and how quickly documentation is provided. For self-employed borrowers, the process typically takes 4-6 weeks from application to approval, though this can be longer during busy periods or if additional information is requested. Pre-approval can often be obtained within 1-2 weeks, which is valuable when making property offers. We work to expedite the process wherever possible by ensuring applications are complete and accurate from the start. Our established relationships with lenders often help speed up the assessment process, and we keep you informed of progress throughout to manage expectations and ensure smooth settlements.