Borrowing power depends on income, existing commitments, living costs, and critically which lender assesses you. Two applicants with identical figures routinely receive materially different outcomes from different lenders, because each runs its own serviceability model.

That variation matters more than usual in Logan. The local workforce is weighted toward healthcare, logistics, construction and retail, much of it shift-based or casual. Some lenders count 100% of consistent overtime for essential service workers, others discount to 80%, and some exclude it entirely. On a typical Logan household income, that spread can shift capacity by six figures.

Self-employed applicants see similar variation through add-backs for depreciation, one-off expenses and additional super contributions.

Start with our borrowing power calculator, then see the home loans page for how we compare 60+ lenders.

Twenty percent avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance, but it is not a requirement. Most lenders go to 90% of value and some to 95% for strong applicants, with LMI covering the shortfall.

LMI is not automatically the wrong call. In a rising Logan market, waiting two more years to reach a full 20% can cost more in price growth than the premium. Some professions, including many medical and legal roles, access LMI waivers at 90% and occasionally above.

Unit and apartment purchases are treated differently. Lenders apply minimum floor areas, complex exposure limits and postcode restrictions to specific buildings rather than the suburb, which affects stock across Springwood, Meadowbrook and Loganlea.

See our guide to home loans for apartments and units in Logan, and estimate duty with our stamp duty calculator.

Fixed rates lock repayments for one to five years and suit a tight budget, but restrict extra repayments, carry break costs, and give no benefit if rates fall. Variable rates move with the market and usually include a full offset account and unlimited extra repayments.

A split loan takes both. This is a common structure for Logan families balancing a young mortgage against childcare and school costs, or for households where one income is variable.

The other structural decision is the offset account, which matters more than most borrowers expect once a deposit or bonus is sitting in savings.

There is no universally right answer, so we work through your actual cash flow first. Model repayments with our loan repayment calculator, or talk to a Logan broker.

Roughly three quarters of new residential home loans in Australia are now written through brokers rather than direct with a lender, and the reason is comparison. A bank can only offer its own product. A broker assesses your position against many lenders' policies before anything is submitted, which matters because every declined application leaves a mark on your credit file.

Local knowledge compounds that. A broker working in Logan understands how lenders treat new-estate valuations in Yarrabilba, unit stock in Woodridge, and dual-income properties across the LGA.

Cube Home Loans is based at 3/3986 Pacific Highway, Loganholme, compares 60+ lenders, and holds 300+ five-star Google reviews from Logan clients. The service is free in most cases.

Read our guide to choosing a mortgage broker in Logan.