Lou Costabile & Robert Costabile Mortgage Brokers in Balwyn North & Plenty

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Call: 0415 574 655

Our look may have changed – but that’s all.
Now that we’re part of Mortgage Choice, we wanted to let you know that we’re retaining all the wonderful things about Smartline – our commitment to our clients, our ability to look outside the square for solutions and our relationships with a large and diverse network of lenders.

Call Us Mortgage Choice Balwyn North
Mobile - 0415 574 655
Office - 03 9859 7136
Fax - 03 9859 8501

Open Hours Mortgage Choice Balwyn North
Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
After hours by appointment
Free Appointment

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Other areas we service

Lou and Robert have offices at Balwyn North and Plenty, and also offer a mobile service across all areas.

They can visit you at your office or outside of working hours in the comfort of your own home if required.

Services

Reliable, informed lending advice and guidance from a team who know that taking out a loan can be one of the biggest decisions of your life. Whether you’re a first home buyer or an experienced investor, Lou & Robert’s integrity, professionalism and service will exceed your expectations.

Home loans
Investment loans
Refinance loans
Construction loans
Renovation finance
Equity release
Deposit Bonds
Bridging loans
Personal Loans
Car and asset finance
Business equipment finance
Commercial property finance
Business loans

The right home loan for your needs

Our mission is to find the right home loan for your individual needs and to always have your best interests at heart. Plain and simple. Which is why we have such a wide range of lenders to choose from. We can search through hundreds of products to find something tailored to your situation. ~

Client reviews

I am so grateful for Lou ‘s assistance , he went above and beyond his duty to make sure my house is settled on time . Lou is always helpful , professional and have the best interest of his client at heart . Highly recommended.
Swann
06 November 2022

I can highly recommended Lou Costabile at Smart choice . He is always helpful , professional, go above and beyond to make sure his clients needs are met . I am so glad I have engaged Smart choice s service over the years , they have made the mortgage process so much easier . Thank you from the bottom of the heart
Annonymos
06 November 2022

Efficient, courteous and professional customer service. Would highly recommend.
James
16 October 2022

Our Smartline adviser, Lou helped us achieve the best loans and offsets for our situation. He went above and beyond in every aspect. All the worry was taken out of our hands and he dealt directly with the banks, ensuring our refinance went without a hitch.
Jonathan
12 August 2022

Lou, Robert and Diane were fantastic to deal with. They took the time to understand our needs and recommend viable solutions. Lou, in particular, went out of his way to work through things with us and provided exceptional service. The Smartline team has been a dream to deal with. Thank you.
Mario
05 June 2022

Fantastic service would be happy to recommend the services.
Karen
11 May 2022

Lou was an absolute gentleman and what he promised he delivered
Mark
19 April 2022

Lou was great to work with. He took the time to explain everything even when I thought I was asking lots of silly questions. His experience and guidance was well appreciated. I have no hesitation in recommending Lou to my friends and family.
Carlo
05 April 2022

Always great working with Lou and Robert - they know their stuff and are extremely supportive and helpful in getting the loan finalized. A pleasure to have these guys in your corner
Alfonso
15 January 2022

I have worked with Lou and Robert Costabile on many property purchases over the last 6 years. It is always a pleasure and I will continue to use their services for all my future needs.
Nicholas
22 September 2021

Robert Costabile was an excellent advisor and supportive through a difficult process. I will continue to utilise his services.
Emma
06 April 2023

Efficient, professional and courteous customer service. Would highly recommend.
James
16 October 2022

Can’t speak highly enough of the service provided by Robert Costabile. Game changer.
Christopher
05 September 2022

Robert Costabile provided a great customer service. He was very helpful and understanding of our questions and need.
Spiro
06 August 2022

Robert was absolutely amazing - I feel like we are family now after so many great conversations and his attention to detail was 100%. I'm eternally grateful for his help and support. I would recommend Robert and Smartline to anyone who asked! Cheers Mike
Michael
31 July 2022

Refinancing guide

Considering refinancing? Our guide explains the reasons, costs and steps involved in refinancing your home loan.

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Extra Information

Home Buyer Concession Scheme

From 1 July 2019, the FHOG ACT has been replaced with exemptions on stamp duty. The stamp duty exemption is applicable to all properties in ACT, including vacant residential land and both new and established homes at any price. As this is still to aid first home buyers, to be eligible at least one buyer must live in the home for at least 12 months, starting within 12 months of settlement or completion of construction.

To be eligible, first homeowners in the ACT must have a household income below $160,000. This number increases up to $176,650 depending on the number of children you may have.

Click here for more information on the ACT First home Owner Grant.

Stamp duty concessions in NSW

From 1 August 2020, the NSW government has announced that stamp duty will not be applicable to first home buyers for properties valued up to $800,000 and vacant land valued up to $400,000. This stamp duty exemption will be in place for 12 months to 31 July 2021, in which the stamp duty exemptions will revert back to $650,000 for homes and $350,000 for land.

Additionally, a concessional rate of duty will apply to homes valued more than $800,000 but less than $1,000,000 and vacant blocks of land valued more than $400,000 and less than $500,000

How much is the First Home Owners Grant NSW?

The FHOG in NSW is worth $10,000 however conditions apply. To be eligible, your first home must have a total value below $600,000, and be either newly constructed or ‘substantially renovated’. A home is substantially renovated when most or all of the original house was removed or replaced, and it’s the first time the place has been sold, and lived in, after the renovations were completed.

If you plan to build a new home from scratch, you can still be eligible for the FHOG in NSW as long as your land plus the home you build have a combined value of less than $750,000.

Click here for more information on the NSW First Home Owner Grant.

How much is the First Home Owners Grant in the NT?

The First Home Owner Grant in NT is $10,000. Your income and the price of your home don’t affect the FHOG NT, and the grant is available if you buy or build a new house, apartment, duplex or townhouse.

As of 30 June 2021, there are currently no stamp duty concessions for first home buyers in NT.

Previously the Territory’s First Home Owner Discount was in place from 8 February 2019 to 30 June 2021. It let you save up to a maximum of $18,601 on the cost of stamp duty. The savings were available whether you purchased a new or established home as long as the home was valued under $650,000.

Click here for more information on the NT First home Owner Grant.

How much is the First Home Owners Grant QLD?

As a first home buyer in Queensland you could be entitled to the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant. To be eligible, you need to buy a brand new home or build a home from scratch with the total value (including the land) below $750,000. You may also be eligible if you buy off the plan or an established home that’s been substantially renovated.

As a guide, substantial renovations include replacing or altering foundations or replacing or altering floors. Cosmetic work such as painting the walls or sanding floors doesn’t add up to a substantial renovation when it comes to the FHOG in QLD.

Stamp duty concessions

If you’re buying vacant land to build your first home, you pay zero stamp duty as long as you pay $250,000 or less for your block. Concessions are available for vacant land valued above $250,000 and up to $400,000. Whereas if your first home is valued up to $500,000, you pay zero stamp duty. That’s a saving of $7,175 which is the maximum stamp duty rebate available to first home buyers in QLD.

Additionally, savings on stamp duty may still be available if you pay between $500,000 and $550,000 for your first home. As a guide, if your first home is worth $530,000, you pay stamp duty of $6,300 a saving of $3,500. These savings cut out altogether if your first home costs $550,000 or more.

Click here for more information on the QLD First home Owner Grant.

How much is the First Home Owners Grant SA?

There are currently no specific stamp duty concessions available for first home buyers in SA.

The $15,000 FHOG in South Australia is only available to first home owners who buy a new home. You can choose from a house, apartment, townhouse or villa.

You will only be able to claim the FHOG SA if you pay below the following amounts for your home:

Before 14 June 2023: $575,000
After 15 June 2023: $650,000

You can also claim the First Home Owner Grant in South Australia when you buy a block of vacant land to build your first home on. However, the end value of your building plus land must be no more than $650,000.

Click here for more information on the SA First home Owner Grant.

Stamp duty concessions in TAS

If you buy an established home, you are not eligible for the FHOG in Tasmania but you may be able to claim savings on stamp duty. If you’re home is valued at

$400,000 or less, you will receive a 50% discount on the property transfer duty (stamp duty).

How much is the First Home Owners Grant TAS?

The FHOG Tasmania is worth $30,000 until 30 June 2022 but only when you buy or build a new home. Off the plan purchases are also eligible. In Tasmania, there is no limit on the purchase price of the property, and the FHOG is not means tested.

Click here for more information on the TAS First home Owner Grant.

Stamp duty concessions in VIC

First home owners in Victoria don’t pay stamp duty at all on their first home as long as the property is valued below $600,000. You may still be eligible for savings on stamp duty if you pay between $600,000 and $750,000 for your first home. The stamp duty concessions available in Victoria apply to both established and new homes.

How much is the First Home Owners Grant VIC?

The FHOG Victoria is only available if you buy a newly built home or if you choose to build a home from scratch. The FHOG is worth $10,000 if you build/buy in Victoria.

Your first home can be a house, townhouse, apartment, or unit but it must be valued at $750,000 or less, and it must be a new home – being sold as a home for the first time, and less than five years old.

Click here for more information on the VIC First home Owner Grant.

Stamp duty concessions in WA

If you buy vacant land to build your first home, you’re exempt from paying stamp duty as long as you don’t pay more than $300,000. If you pay between $300,000 and $400,000 you will be entitled to a reduced rate of duty.

If you buy a home costing up to $430,000, no stamp duty is payable at all. If the value of your home is between $430,000 and $530,000, you’ll be entitled to a reduced rate of stamp duty. There are no additional concessions for homes valued above $530,000 and land valued above $400,000.

How much is the First Home Owners Grant WA?

The FHOG WA is worth $10,000 when you buy or build a brand new home. There are limits on what you can pay for your first home to be eligible for the FHOG in Western Australia.

If you’re located south of the 26th parallel, which basically covers all the Perth metropolitan area, you can claim the FHOG WA if your new home is worth up to $750,000 – this includes the value of the land plus buildings.

If you buy or build a home north of the 26th parallel, the property must be valued up to or below $1 million to be eligible for the FHOG WA.

The First Home Owner Grant in Western Australia is no longer available if you buy an established home however you may be able to claim stamp duty savings.

Click here for more information on the WA First home Owner Grant.

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