Home loans for investment properties are vitally important financial tools that have the power to either help or hinder your investment growth.

Buying your first home is exciting and a little scary at the same time. Not only are you faced with the challenge of finding the right property to become your first home, but you also need to know you're getting the right first home loan.

When you've been through the process of buying a home (or two or three...) before, it's not as scary - but can still be stressful. Since you last purchased a home your situations may have changed and you may now be a more astute property purchaser.

Whatever your idea of a getaway property is, we can help you make it happen. But, while finding the right place to buy might be simple, choosing the right loan may not be as easy.

Have you been dreaming of getting away at weekends to a place by the beach? When it comes to financing your holiday house there are a range of options available from our mortgage brokers.

First home benefits

First Home Owner Grant changes

NSW New Home Buyers Supplement end

The $3,000 NSW New Home Buyers Supplement finished on 30 June 2010 and will not be available where the eligible transaction is dated after 30 June 2010.

First Home Owner Grant and First Home Plus continues

The $7,000 First Home Owner Grant and the exemption from duty of up to $17,990 under the First Home Plus Scheme will continue to be available after 30 June 2010.

First Home Owner Grant cap

From 1 January 2010, a $750,000 cap applies to all applications where the commencement date of the eligible transaction is on or after 1 January 2010. Applicants who purchase or build a home which has a total value of more than $750,000 will not be eligible for the grant.

Defence force exemption

The NSW Parliament has passed a specific bill for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and exemptions for first home buyers.

The eligibility criteria have been amended to ensure currently serving defence personnel do not miss out on benefits available to other first home owners. These reforms will make it easier for defence personnel to realise the Australian dream of home ownership.

'The NSW Government has reformed the rules so the men and women protecting our country are not unfairly disadvantaged,' NSW Treasurer, The Hon. Eric Roozendaal, said.

A key regulation to the scheme is that a buyer must reside in the dwelling for six months, commencing within 12 months of settlement or construction of the home. This poses a problem for defence personnel who may be called away for duty at short notice. As a result, the legislation has been revised and permanent ADF members who are on the NSW electoral roll will now be exempt from the six month residence requirement. New South Wales is revising these residence provisions in order to give our servicemen and women one less thing to worry about while they are serving Australia's interests.

The New South Wales Government is committed to helping as many people as possible to buy their first home. They are about getting more young families into their first home than ever before and helping them to get on with establishing their lives.