Robert Costabile - Owner & Mortgage Broker in Balwyn North & Plenty

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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 Plenty
Office - 0413 191 429

Open Hours Mortgage Choice Plenty
Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
After hours by appointment
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Your local Mortgage Broker in Balwyn North & Plenty

Robert and Lou are pleased to offer our clients the convenience of two office locations in Balwyn North and Plenty. In addition to these locations, we provide a comprehensive mobile service that covers all areas. Whether you're located in the city centre or a quiet suburb, we're committed to meeting your needs wherever you are.

We understand that your schedule might be busy, so we're flexible in arranging meetings at a time and place that suits you best. Robert and Lou can visit you at your office during the workday or come to your home outside of working hours, ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience. Our goal is to provide personalised service that fits into your lifestyle, making the process as convenient as possible for you.

As your Mortgage Choice brokers in Balwyn and Plenty, Robert & Lou, provide reliable and informed lending advice and guidance. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or an experienced investor, Robert and Lou’s commitment to integrity, professionalism, and exceptional service will exceed your expectations. We are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that you have the right solutions to meet your unique financial needs.

Talk to Robert or Lou about your home loan today.

Services that your local mortgage brokers in Balwyn North & Plenty offer

Our range of services ensures that whatever your lending needs may be, Robert and Lou are here to provide expert advice and personalised solutions to help you achieve your financial objectives.

Our services include:

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

Home Loan Resources

If you're researching the best ways to enter the property market, then you may find our guides useful. Feel free to check out some of our free resources below.

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

What can I say about Rob he made this process so easy we should of done this years ago.
He was amazing with communication and email responses he was all over it..
Got our loan approved in 4 days we refinanced our mortgage Rob got us a better rate nearly 4 better than the bank we were with for nearly 25 years.
Rob from Dianne and John thanks so much made the process so easy.
Thanks so much and I highly recommend Rob for any loan and re finance hes was simply amazing.

John
09 January 2025

What can I say about Rob he made this process so easy we should of done this years ago.
He was amazing with communication and email responses he was all over it..
Got our loan approved in 4 days we refinanced our mortgage Rob got us a better rate nearly 4 better than the bank we were with for nearly 25 years.
Rob from Dianne and John thanks so much made the process so easy.
Thanks so much and I highly recommend Rob for any loan and re finance hes was simply amazing.

John
08 January 2025

Rob helped us get our loan. He thinks outside the box and found us a wonderful provider which we are very happy with. Robs communication and commitment is second to none.

Mary
12 December 2024

Rob helped us fix an excellent home loan rate before rises and then when it was time to refinance, he found us the best deal available. The whole process was easy and straight forward. Robs communication is second to none. Couldnt recommend more highly

Molly
11 December 2024

Thank you 'again' Robert and team, by far the best broker experience to date for the 2nd time. Professional, friendly and fast. Highly recommend, 6 stars.

Chris
21 November 2024

Rob is the best broker you could find He understands your needs and always has your best interests at heart when making decisions. I couldnt recommend him enough, I wouldnt go to anyone else.

Michael
17 September 2024

Robert went above and beyond in helping us secure our new mortgage, nothing was too much trouble or a problem. Provided lots of communication along the way to keep us informed of what was happening and answered all questions we asked. Would highly recommend Robert to anyone who is looking to refinance or looking to get a loan.

Matt
08 August 2024

I have known and worked with Rob for over a decade
Rob is an outstanding Broker - a thorough professional in his field His focus, attention to detail, and genuine care and empathy for his customers is incredible. A mortgage is one of the biggest and increasingly complex decisions people have to make. It is also deeply personal and delves into your personal finances Rob understands this, manages th... read more

Duncan
08 August 2024

Robert was very personable and efficient. He managed to secure funds for us in a very short timeframe and helped us with many other aspects of our property purchase.
I will definitely use his services again if I have need of a Mortgage Broker in the future.
Many thanks
Melchior Martin

Melchior
07 August 2024

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

Refinancing guide

If you’re thinking about refinancing, this guide can help you learn more about the refinancing process, benefits and options available.

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The borrowing amount is a guide only. Loan repayments are based on the lowest interest rate (either standard variable or 3-year fixed rate, owner occupier) from our lender panel over a repayment period of 30 years. Rates and repayments are indicative only and subject to change. The results from this calculator are an approximate guide only and do not constitute specialist advice. The calculations used should not be relied upon for the purposes of entering into any legal or financial commitments.

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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 $575,000.

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.

From 09 May 2024, if you buy a home costing up to $450,000, no stamp duty is payable at all. If the value of your home is between $450,000 and $600,000, you’ll be entitled to a reduced rate of stamp duty.

There are no additional concessions for homes valued above $600,000 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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