Gary Owen
Mob: 0409 770 096

JBC Building 43 Horton Street
PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444
Tel: 02 6584 0355
Fax: 02 6584 0155

Gary's Profile

I joined Mortgage Choice in 1998 after 22 years experience in the banking industry specialising in home loan lending. My last position was with Westpac as a Personal Banking Manager at the Port Macquarie office. I am an accredited Reverse Mortgage Consultant and a member of SEQUAL. I also hold a Certificate IV in Financial Services (Finance/Mortgage Broking) and a member of the MFAA. My family and I have lived in Port Macquarie since 1993 and I pride myself on quality customer service and reliability. I was awarded Life Membership of the Port Macquarie City Apex Club at the 1999 State Convention and I have achieved the accolade of Apexian of the Year three times and am also a past President of the Club. I have held board positions with various sporting organisation, including Treasurer for the Hawks Baseball Club, Hastings Baseball Assoc Inc and currently Hastings River District Junior Cricket Assoc where my two children, Courtney & Blake are members or have been members.

First Home Grant Increase

The Federal Government has recently doubled the First Home Owner Grant to $14,000 for first home owners purchasing existing properties and tripled it to $21,000 for first home owners buying new housing. All contracts entered into by June 30 next year will be eligible for the new assistance.

As a basic rule, you are eligible if:

- you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

- you are buying or building your first home in Australia, with the intention of occupying it as your principal place of residence within 12 months of the settlement.

It is important to note that if you are buying the property in conjunction with others, they must also meet the same criteria for the grant to be applicable.

The doubling of the First Home Owners Grant for all first homebuyers and a tripling for those who purchase a newly-built dwelling, along with the recent significant decreases in interest rates, should provide a much needed boost to the Australian housing market.

To find out if you qualify for the increased First Home Grant, book an appointment with your local mortgage broker.

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