Frequently Asked Questions

What makes FinanceBroker.AI different

There are three types of finance broker websites:

  1. The bait-and-switch mob — They dangle low rates to get your details. Then the “pre-approval in 60 seconds” turns into a phone call where they take more info and call back with a quote that’s miles off the advertised rate. These guys will hound you — some call each lead three times, then pass it to trainees to call again. Many use offshore call centres to cut costs.

  2. The lead sellers — These websites exist purely to collect your details and sell them to multiple brokers. You get swamped with calls from the same kind of aggressive outfits above.

  3. FinanceBroker.AI — No smoke and mirrors. No nonsense. Just a transparent, 24/7 platform where you can check real options based on your profile — with no sales calls. You’ll see actual lender offers, clear advice, and real scenarios. And if you need help, just call. If you proceed with a loan, there’s a small, below-average fee — but the upfront quoting service is completely free.

Oh — and about “pre-approvals in minutes”? In my book, a real pre-approval means a lender has properly reviewed your file and approved you, subject to finding a suitable car. That can’t happen in 3 minutes

I’ve been self-employed for over 30 years — most of those in finance, and nearly two decades before that in the car game. I’ve seen how people get taken for a ride, especially business owners just trying to get on with the job.

FinanceBroker.AI exists because I got sick of watching good people get stitched up with overpriced loans, pushy upsells, or time-wasting approval games.

This site is for business owners who want straight answers, fair comparisons, and real help. Not fluff. Not sales scripts. Just honest guidance — the kind I’d want if I were in your shoes.

If it’s not the right deal, I’ll tell you. That’s how I sleep at night — and it’s why my clients keep coming back.

I’m trained to say don’t do it. Using home equity to buy a depreciating asset like a car goes against every piece of traditional advice. And it’s true — if you redraw $50k from your mortgage and take 25 years to pay it off, you could end up paying close to $100k back.

But here’s the flip side: mortgage rates are usually much lower than car loan rates. If you’re disciplined and follow a clear plan, it can work in your favour.

Here’s how to make it work:

If you redraw $50k from your home loan, increase your mortgage repayments by the same amount a car loan would cost you (use my calculator to estimate it). If you stick to those higher repayments, you’ll be ahead in five years. The key is discipline.

Even better: refinance your mortgage and split the car amount into a separate loan account. For example, if your home is worth $800k and you owe $500k, refinance to $550k and put that extra $50k in a new split. Pay that part down fast — say $1,000/month — and you’ll clear it in under 5 years.

If the purchase is not for business use, this redraw method can make sense — if done right. But if the car is for business, you may be better off with a secured car loan. That way, you can claim a tax deduction on interest and depreciation, which often makes the car loan cheaper overall.

Bonus tip: Go back to your original mortgage broker. They already know your profile and will appreciate the repeat business. Always use a broker, not a bank. Mortgage brokers are bound by a Best Interest Duty, meaning they must act in your best interests and present all available options. Banks don’t have to — which is part of the reason brokers now write more home loans than the banks themselves.

Downsides to consider:

  • If your income drops or you miss payments, your house — not just this purchase — is at risk.

  • The process can take 4–6 weeks, which might be too slow if you need it urgently.

  • It’s tempting to go over budget or slack off on repayments. Don’t. Stick to your plan.

  • If your equity is below 20%, you’ll likely be hit with Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can wipe out the savings.

Bottom line: This strategy works if you’re financially disciplined and have enough equity. Otherwise, stick with a regular car loan — it’s faster, simpler, and safer.

Most dealerships and brokers charge $990 or more to set up a car loan.  Because I use AI-enhanced software that speeds everything up, I charge less.

I don’t list a fixed price here because some loans are more complex than others, but I’m confident my fees are lower than most brokers or dealerships. And I keep them fair.

I also get paid based on loan size — so the bigger the loan, the more commission I receive from the lender, and the less I need to charge you in setup fees. Fairer for everyone.

Business loans 

Such as chattel mortgages — usually come with fixed terms. Many lenders retain 100% of the interest, regardless of how early you pay it off. For example, a $50,000 loan with $1,000 monthly repayments over 60 months may have a payout figure of $60,000 on day one. In this case, making extra repayments won’t reduce your total interest — there’s no financial benefit to paying it out early.

Some lenders only retain 30% of the remaining interest, while others use more flexible or tiered systems. But here’s the catch — because these are business contracts, there’s no consumer protection from the ACCC. That means interest can be structured in ways that aren’t always in your favour, so it’s critical to understand the repayment terms before you sign.

That said, if the loan is for genuine business use, the tax deductions can make a secured business loan more cost-effective than redrawing on your home loan, especially when structured correctly.  If you don’t plan to pay the loan early, it won’t matter.

If you want short Term Cash, I can help with an overdraft that normally won’t come with an exit fee.

For Consumer Loans (Non-Business Use)

The law requires interest on personal loans to be calculated daily. That means if you pay extra or ahead of schedule, you’ll reduce the total interest payable. So, if you take out a 7-year loan but pay enough each month to finish it in 2 years, you’re done in 2 years. This flexibility can help reduce your overall cost — particularly useful if you plan to apply for a mortgage soon, as lenders typically assess based on the original contract terms, not your actual repayments.

Bonus tip: One clever client once got a payout figure of $30,510, which included $30,010 in balance and $500 in exit fees. They just paid $30,000 and left $10 in the loan — dodging the exit fee. I probably shouldn’t be sharing that, but it’s a real example. 😄

The majority of lenders are okay with private sales. However, the seller will have to jump through some hoops. They get sent a link to upload their licence, proof of bank account, rego papers and several pictures of the car. This typically takes them about 20 minutes from start to finish.

The lender needs to protect themselves and their new client. They need to know that the seller is the owner of the car (hence rego and licence) and they need to know that the seller is going to get paid (hence the request for the top part of their bank statement). This is common practice and most lenders use a company called now called DoxAI which uses very high security and does not store any details once the inspection has been completed.

All lenders that offer secured loans need to have this process completed. The alternative may be to get a secured personal loan or an unsecured personal loan, however, the rate is more likely to be a lot higher.

The private sales are typically cheaper and are popular among dealerships to buy from.  I like the fact that you can meet the previous owner, and most people won’t sell a lemon privately. They would trade it at a dealership.

The majority of lenders are okay with private sales. However, the seller will have to jump through some hoops. They get sent a link to upload their licence, proof of bank account, rego papers and several pictures of the car. This typically takes them about 20 minutes from start to finish.

The lender needs to protect themselves and their new client. They need to know that the seller is the owner of the car (hence rego and licence) and they need to know that the seller is going to get paid (hence the request for the top part of their bank statement). This is common practice and most lenders use a company called now called DoxAI which uses very high security and does not store any details once the inspection has been completed.

All lenders that offer secured loans need to have this process completed. The alternative may be to get a secured personal loan or an unsecured personal loan, however, the rate is more likely to be a lot higher.

The private sales are typically cheaper and are popular among dealerships to buy from.  I like the fact that you can meet the previous owner, and most people won’t sell a lemon privately. They would trade it at a dealership.

Sometimes dealership finance deals can look good — and sometimes they are. Especially when you’re buying new from brands like BMW, Mercedes, VW, or Toyota. These carmakers often subsidise their rates using their own money, and in rare cases, that means they might beat us.

Keep an eye out for those 0% or 1.99% interest offers — but read the fine print. I remember one ute selling for $58,888 with a 0% offer. The next month, after the offer ended, it was listed at $48,888. I worked at that dealership, and we sold more at the higher price with the 0% offer than when it was discounted. You’ll often see this on runout models — same car, new wheels and a sticker kit.

Also, dealerships usually have what’s called a “floor plan” or stocking loan. This means a finance company is covering the cost of their vehicles in stock, and the dealership gets a better rate on that loan, the more customers they finance through them. So there’s always an incentive for them to push their preferred lender.

For business loans: In most cases, it’s just a photo of your driver’s licence. Some lenders might ask for a copy of your banking transactions — but we’ll keep it simple.

For consumer loans: We need to show the lender that you can repay the loan, so recent payslips or bank statements are typically required. I’ll let you know exactly what’s needed — no guesswork.

Chattel Mortgage — Great to claim back the GST, interest and depreciation. Probably the easiest loan to get. The most popular loan of the moment for businesses.

Lease — Claim the GST, and each payment. Has a residual at the end of the loan. No depreciation or interest can be claimed. Advantage is that it stays off the books.

Unsecured Business Loans — Higher risk to the lender, so a higher rate to the client. Fewer lenders are in this space. There are no low-doc options — we’ll need bank statements as a minimum requirement.

Overdraft — Great as a backup or short-term. Offers peace of mind. 6 Months Bank Statements would be needed.

Invoice Factoring — For businesses that get paid 30 days or more after the invoice. Helps with cash flow. Costs from $200+ per $10,000. The risk is on the supplier, not the person who gets paid.

Secured Car Loans — Lower rates because the lender has security. 

Personal Loan — Mostly only need bank statements to get approved — the rate is heavily dependent on your credit score.

This is the point where I should lie and say “1 hour” just to get your business. But that is not the truth in the vast majority of cases. If there is a situation that is tricky, I would rather chat with the lender and run the profile past them first. Many lenders won’t remove credit enquiries if they decline an application, making it harder to get approved with another lender. So, taking an extra half day for the lender to get back to me with a verbal approval is worth it in the long run. Also, the lender with the lowest rates can be harder to deal with and have slower turnaround times. So, rushing an application can be very costly in the long run.