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 > Consumer advice  > Buying or selling a home  > Obtaining finance  > Choosing a lender

Choosing a lender

It usually takes some time to find the right home. This gives you the opportunity to organise your finances and apply for a loan. Most lenders will approve a loan 'in principle', allowing you to be confident of your spending limit when searching for a property. This approval is usually valid for six to twelve months and needs to be renewed after this period. The loan is then formally approved once a purchase has been made.

Choosing the right home loan is as important as choosing the right home. Researching and understanding the home loan market will assist you in choosing the most suitable loan.

There is intense competition among lenders who offer a variety of packages, options and methods of payment. The loan that appears to be the cheapest because it has the lowest interest rate may not be the cheapest option in the longer term when fees, ongoing charges, and penalties are included. Also, it may not have the flexibility and added extras of some other loans.


Advice
There are two main types of lender:
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