5 ways to win your property hunt

 1. Get pre-approved before you start hunting 

This isn't just important – it's essential. Pre-approval transforms you from a curious browser into a serious buyer. When you find the right property, you can make an offer immediately, since you have clarity about your borrowing capacity. 

The reality is that sellers and their agents often receive multiple enquiries on quality properties. They prioritise buyers who can demonstrate they're ready to proceed. A pre-approval shows you're not wasting anyone's time, including your own. 

For medical professionals, this step is even more critical. Your income structure – with locum shifts, overtime, on-call payments, and varying work patterns – requires a lender who understands how to properly assess your earning capacity. Getting pre-approved with a home loan specialist for doctors can mean your full income potential is recognised, maximising your borrowing power. 

2. Understand your true borrowing capacity 

Pre-approval isn't just about getting a number – it's about understanding exactly what that number means for your property search. 

Many buyers make the mistake of searching at their maximum borrowing capacity, leaving no buffer for unexpected costs, renovation plans, or life changes. Smart property hunters understand their comfortable borrowing limit, not just their maximum. 

Consider the full picture: your deposit, stamp duty, legal fees, building and pest inspections, moving costs, and any immediate repairs or improvements the property might need. Factor in your lifestyle goals too. Will this property purchase impact other plans like starting a family, taking parental leave, or reducing your work hours? 

For medical professionals especially, your career stage matters. Are you early in your career with income likely to increase? Or are you established, but considering reducing hours for better work-life balance? These factors should help you determine how much you feel comfortable borrowing, not just how much you're approved for. 

3. Know what medical professionals qualify for 

Understanding your unique advantages as a medical professional can significantly strengthen your property hunt. Many traditional lenders apply conservative assessment criteria may not reflect the reality of medical careers. 

A home loan specialist for doctors will recognise that your income includes more than just base salary. Locum work, overtime, on-call payments, and additional shifts all contribute to your genuine earning capacity. They also understand that your career trajectory typically shows strong income growth and stability. They will explain this all to prospective lenders. 

This means as a doctor you may qualify for: 

• Higher borrowing capacity compared to if not all your income and career was assessed. 
• Lower deposit requirements (sometimes as low as 5% with no lenders mortgage insurance)* 
•  Competitive interest rates based on your professional status 

Don't assume what you qualify for based on a standard online calculator.  Speak with a home loan specialist for doctors who understands medical professional income structures. 

4. Act when you find your target property 

Hesitation when it comes to property can cost opportunities. Quality properties attract multiple interested buyers. 

When you find a property that meets your criteria, we suggest you move quickly through these steps: 

• Request an Avant Finance property report^ 
• Attend the first available inspection (don't wait for "just one more weekend"). If you know that you won’t be able to make the next inspection due to prior commitments, you can contact the agent to request a private viewing sooner.  It won’t always be possible, but if the property ticks all your boxes then it doesn’t hurt to ask.   
• Arrange building and pest inspections immediately 
• Make your offer within 48 hours if the property ticks your boxes 

This is where pre-approval becomes your competitive weapon. While other buyers are scrambling to understand their finance position, you're making an informed, confident offer. Sellers and agents notice this decisiveness. 

5. Use your pre-approval as your competitive edge 

Your pre-approval isn't just a personal planning tool – it's a negotiating advantage. When making an offer, being able to demonstrate that you're pre-approved (and ideally not subject to finance conditions) makes your offer significantly more attractive. 

Sellers want certainty. An offer from a pre-approved buyer carries less risk of falling through due to finance issues. In a competitive situation, this can be the difference between your offer being accepted or overlooked. 

Consider this approach: rather than leading with your maximum price, make a strong but reasonable initial offer, supported by your pre-approval status. Your financial readiness often matters as much as the dollar amount, particularly with motivated sellers who want a smooth, certain transaction. 

Start your property hunt prepared 

A property hunt offers genuine opportunities, but success requires preparation. Apply for pre-approval, understand your borrowing capacity, know your professional advantages, and be ready to act decisively. 

Ready to win your property hunt?  Speak to a home loan specialist for doctors  

Disclaimers 
*All applications for credit are subject to eligibility and credit approval criteria. Approval of any loan is subject to standard credit assessment and is at the lender’s complete discretion. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply. Contact Avant Finance for further details.  

^Digital property profile reports (Property Reports) are produced by RP Data Pty Ltd (ACN 087 759 171) trading as Cotality. Avant Finance and its related entities (Avant) are not responsible for and does not make any representations as to the content in the Property Reports (including whether any information is accurate, complete and not misleading). The Property Reports are provided to you on a non-reliance basis and Cotality also does not make any representations to you as to the content of the Property Report. Neither Avant nor Cotality is liable for any loss, damage or injury suffered (even if caused by negligence) as a result of using or relying on any such Property Report.