Home loan pre-approval before you bid

Know your budget before you start house hunting in Bankstown or South West Sydney. We'll help you get loan-ready - fast.

Want to buy with confidence? Start with pre-approval.

Looking for a home without pre-approval is like shopping without knowing your budget - exciting at first, stressful later. Pre-approval gives you a clear idea of how much you can borrow and shows sellers (and agents) that you're serious.


At Infinity Mortgage Brokers, we make the pre-approval process quick, simple, and tailored to your situation - so you can start your search across Bankstown and South West Sydney with clarity, not guesswork.

What is pre-approval?

Pre-approval (sometimes called conditional approval) is when a lender agrees in principle to lend you a certain amount - before you've found a property. It's not a final loan offer, but it gives you:

  • A clear price range to shop in
  • Stronger negotiation power with sellers
  • The ability to act fast when the right place pops up

To apply, you'll need to provide details like:

  • Your income and expenses
  • Employment and ID documentation
  • Your savings and any existing debts
  • A general idea of what kind of property you're looking for

We'll walk you through everything, handle the paperwork, and deal with the lender - so you don't have to stress.

Do I need to be pre-approved?

Pre-approval isn't a requirement. In many cases, we go straight to full approval when a buyer finds their dream home early. But getting pre-approved does have its advantages. It gives you a clearer picture of your borrowing power, helps you shop with more confidence, and can strengthen your position when making an offer.


It also gives us the chance to prepare everything in advance, so when you're ready to move on a property, we can act fast. That matters in South West Sydney, where many homes sell at auction.

  • Avoid nasty surprises later in the process
  • Make offers with confidence
  • Stand out in competitive markets

How Infinity Mortgage Brokers can help

We're all about giving you confidence from day one. When you work with us, you get:

  • One-on-one advice to help you understand how much you can borrow
  • Access to 40+ lenders so we can find the right fit
  • Help preparing your documents and strengthening your application
  • Ongoing support once you find a property - from final approval through to settlement

No pushy sales talk. No confusing steps. Just expert guidance, real support, and a Bankstown broker who's got your back.

Want to get moving?

Start with pre-approval! Schedule a free introductory call with us now.

  • What is the difference between home loan pre-approval and formal approval?

    Home loan pre-approval confirms how much a lender is prepared to lend you, on conditions, before you have chosen a property. Formal approval confirms the lender will fund a specific property you have contracted to buy.


    At pre-approval


    The lender has reviewed your income, spending, debts, credit file and deposit. There is no property and no valuation yet. Our guide to home loan pre-approval sets out the steps.


    At formal approval


    The property has been valued and accepted as security, your circumstances have been rechecked, and loan documents are issued.


    Why it matters


    With pre-approval you know your ceiling, and agents from Bankstown to Liverpool treat you as a serious buyer. What you do not have is a guarantee on any particular property.


    Quality varies


    Some pre-approvals are produced by software in minutes with no person reviewing the file, and they can collapse under real scrutiny. Infinity Mortgage Brokers aims to arrange pre-approvals that the lender's credit team has assessed in full. Short on time? See urgent home loan approval.

  • How long is a home loan pre-approval valid?

    A home loan pre-approval is usually valid for 90 days, and a few lenders allow up to six months. It can normally be extended with current payslips and statements, and the lender will check your credit file again.


    The figure can move


    Pre-approval is a snapshot. Your borrowing limit can come down before you buy if interest rates rise or a new debt shows up on your file. A change in the lender's policy on your type of income can have the same effect.


    Protecting it


    Hold off on new loans and credit cards, stay out of buy now pay later, avoid switching jobs if possible, and keep your spending steady. These slip ups undo more approvals than anything else, which is why they feature in our first home buyer checklist.


    If the search drags on


    Well priced homes in Panania, Revesby and Padstow attract strong competition, and it can take months to secure one.


    Renewing without a gap


    Tell Infinity Mortgage Brokers a few weeks before your pre-approval lapses and we will renew it. Our pre-approval service covers buyers across South West Sydney.

  • Does a pre-approval guarantee my home loan in South West Sydney?

    No, a pre-approval does not guarantee your home loan. It is conditional, and the conditions are only tested once you have chosen a property. Pre-approved buyers are most often declined because:

    • The lender's valuation is lower than the purchase price, and the buyer cannot cover the gap

    • The property falls outside the lender's security rules, such as a very small unit, a restricted high density building, company title or unapproved building work

    • Something changed, for example a new job, a probation period, lost overtime or a new debt

    • Verification turned up information that was not in the application


    The local pressure points


    In South West Sydney, the two that cause most trouble are valuations on competitive auction purchases and security rules on apartments in the larger towers. An unapproved granny flat or garage conversion is another common surprise.


    Reducing the risk


    Infinity Mortgage Brokers chooses a lender whose property rules fit what you are shopping for, and requests a valuation up front when a price looks full.


    If it has already happened


    You still have options. Read our guide to getting a home loan after being declined.

  • What documents do I need for home loan pre-approval?

    For home loan pre-approval you need proof of identity, income, savings, debts and living costs. Employees should gather:

    • Photo ID, such as a driver licence and passport

    • Your two most recent payslips and your latest income statement

    • Bank statements for the last three to six months, for transaction and savings accounts

    • Statements for every debt, covering credit cards, car and personal loans, buy now pay later and any HECS or HELP balance

    • Proof of your deposit and its source, with a signed gift letter if family is helping

    • A rental ledger or other record of the rent you pay now


    Self employed applicants


    You will also need two years of personal and business tax returns, notices of assessment and financial statements. Where those do not tell the full story, some lenders accept low doc evidence such as BAS or bank statements.


    Visa holders and parental leave


    Temporary residents and parents on leave need extra evidence. See our guides to home loans for visa holders and home loans on maternity leave.


    Disclose everything


    An undeclared debt or an untraceable deposit most often turns a simple approval into a decline. Raise anything unusual early with Infinity Mortgage Brokers in Bankstown. For the wider picture, see how to become eligible for a home loan.