We Answer Your Questions

A. The fact is, AffordAssist wanted to be part of the solution to the housing crises; inflation and real estate values are increasing at a greater rate than household incomes. Making saving for a deposit increasingly more difficult, and for some, even impossible.

We care for the real estate industry and feel that first-home buyers deserve a chance to buy if and when they want to…and by caring enough, we created an affordability program with an innovative deferred deposit solution to help first home buyers secure a home loan and property.

AffordAssist is of the view, increasing home ownership, positively impacts on our social-fabric and economy.

AffordAssist has made the great Australian dream, possible, for everyone.

Yes. AffordAssist is life changing.

A. We provide a proprietary Deferred Deposit Agreement (DDA) between the seller and buyer for the amount needed to secure a loan.

defer
verb
put off (an action or event) to a later time; postpone.

Put simply, AffordAssist replaces the need for the full cash deposit.

This means, you can buy now, defer and pay the balance of the deposit later; typically within 60 months and always without interest.

A. AffordAssist was founded in February 2017.

Over the past years and continuing to bring awareness to lenders, properly developers and private property sellers.

• Lenders to consider our innovative present-day solution for the deposit by offering AffordAssist Deferred Deposit Home loans; and
• Developers and private property sellers to consider the market conditions and our next generation by making the property purchase possible with an AffordAssist Deferred Deposit Agreement (DDA)  deferred deposit.

A. A deeper dive into why, the AffordAssist help with first home buyer deposit is life changing is also very much about the core fundamental service.

A. Our eligibility process:

• Your eligibility to secure a loan is based on your (and if applicable that of your property purchase partner) annual income;
• AffordAssist collates the information including the forms (Pre-qualification and Fast-Track Readiness) and determine whether you are eligible for the AffordAssist program; and
• It is essential you work with suitably trained AffordAssist service professionals who understand and manage the Deferred Deposit Agreement (DDA) process to ensure your successful property purchase. Our approved team includes: lenders, mortgage brokers, developers, property consultants, agents and the AffordAssist program governance solicitor.

Please contact us for a chat or click here to APPLY NOW

A. No

AffordAssist provides the program management and governance.

Mortgage leads are referred to a panel of approved lenders and mortgage brokers who know AffordAssist can be used for all or part-of the deposit when assessing eligibility and maximum property budget and they know how to process AffordAssist applications.

All assessments are at arm’s length and follow lenders’ duty of care.

AffordAssist does not have any commercial agreements to earn referral fees for mortgage leads from lenders or mortgage broker.

A. No

AffordAssist provides a proprietary Deferred Deposit Agreement (DDA) – which may be used for all or part-of the deposit and includes a no-interest payment plan and makes it possible for a Buyer and a Seller to complete a property purchase. The amount that is deferred plus the current available cash including where applicable Government grants and incentives, total to satisfy deposit lending conditions.

A. AffordAssist have a panel of approved lenders and mortgage brokers that can offer loans of up to 90% of the property value and know all about AffordAssist

Approved lenders and mortgage brokers know AffordAssist can be used for all or part-of the deposit when assessing eligibility and maximum property budget and they know how to process AffordAssist applications. All assessments are at arm’s length and follow lenders’ duty of care.

AffordAssist is not for applicants on social incomes or bad credit record.

AffordAssist is not vendor finance or a loan agreement. 

A. AffordAssist offers a list of approved properties.

AffordAssist replaces the need for the typical 10% cash deposit required by the property seller with a proprietary Deferred Deposit Agreement (DDA), which may be used for all or part-of the deposit and includes a no-interest payment plan.

AffordAssist approved properties may include all residential property types. Off the plan, brand-new or previously lived-in. Select from the AffordAssist approved list. The fee for this comprehensive service is generally paid by the property seller.

Sourcing the property, options include:

• AffordAssist Approved Buyer’s Agent. Offers you an option to engage an AffordAssist approved buyers agent for a prepaid flat fee.
• DIY, means you will find your own property. AffordAssist team member will offer free phone assistance.

AffordAssist is not a property developer or builder.

A. No

AffordAssist IS NOT

1. A rent-to-own model; or
2. A SMSF purchase model.

A. With AffordAssist the buyer(s) receives 100% ownership of the title at settlement. Standard property contract of sale. Standard home loan / 1st mortgage. 

Summary on other service models are listed below. Please do your own research as to which model is more suitable for your circumstances: 

An equity-share model

Is where another party to the purchase contribute funds towards the deposit or purchase. On the conditions that;

1. At some point in time they want these funds paid back, may include interest payments; and
2. Want a share of the future property value paid in addition to the contributed funds.

A rent-to-own model model

Under an agreement with a property developer the buyer(s) agree to pay a higher than market rent for a nominated period. The agreement may also contain that a future (higher) property price be paid. A portion of the rent is set aside as a saving plan towards the deposit. At the end of that period, the buyer(s) are to secure a loan to settle on the property.

A SMSF model

Funds are withdrawn from the buyer(s) superannuation as a deposit to secure an applicable loan product. The SMSF entity owns the property not the buyer(s).

A. AffordAssist’s governance process includes a program solicitor that advises you about the deposit payment, thus protecting buyer, other stakeholders and the longevity of the program.

The proprietary Deferred Deposit Agreement (DDA) – makes it possible for a Buyer and a Seller to complete a property purchase. The amount that is deferred plus the current available cash including where applicable Government grants and incentives, total to satisfy deposit lending conditions. 

A. No. The AffordAssist proprietary Deferred Deposit Agreement (DDA) is free of interest. 

A. Typically the amounts are between 1% to 25% of the property purchase price. It is also possible by agreement between the seller and buyer to have any amount. For example purposes only; a purchase from a family member may result in a 50% DDA with terms of 20 years.

A. A term may vary per applicant and is based on a number of considerations, ie; loan amount, deferred amount, gross income of applicants, property purchase terms and must always satisfy lending conditions. As a guide only 60 months (5 years) is typical. It is possible to have terms ranging from 1 year to 20 years.

A. The AffordAssist approved lender/ mortgage brokers provide applicants with an independent and the best possible loan solution, which may or may not include a DDA as part of the loan application.

However having a DDA as part of the loan application may in some cases be in the best interest of the client. Scenarios where the client will benefit include:

1. Increase the cash deposit. With an off-the-plan purchase, the DDA can be used to put additional monthly payments into a trust account ready for settlement. This could be used to top up the deposit to 10%.  
2. Reduce LMI premium. The DDA offers interest free payments, thus increasing the DDA amount will reduce the LVR and the LMI premium.  
3. No LMI. Applicants with a large deposit, i.e. 10% to 15% may benefit from a DDA to reduce the loan to below 80%, hence no LMI premium. 
4. Settlement valuation may differ to the property sold price. A DDA may serve to protect against this potential shortfall or variance.
5. The DDA may be used as a plan B, in cases where the proposed loan with a higher LVR is not approved, or lending conditions have changed. 
6. The DDA amount is interest free. When combined with the 1st mortgage the interest rate will average out at a lower amount.
7. Increase your purchase capacity. Use your cash savings to pay debts. Example, credit cards and or personal loans instead of adding more loans. Thus increasing your 1st mortgage limit, plus AffordAssist may increase your purchase capacity. 

A. Stamp Duty requirements tend to vary from each State and Territory in Australia. Visit www.affordassist.com/resources to learn more.

A. Yes if your eligible. The First Home Owner Grant is a Federal scheme, grant entitlements tend to vary from each State and Territory in Australia. Visit www.affordassist.com/resources to learn more.

Where applicable the grant monies are used towards the property purchase/ funds needed to settle. 

A. While AffordAssist was created to help First Home Buyers, Buyers and Sellers have also seen the value of the Proprietary Deferred Deposit Agreement (DDA) to help existing sales that are struggling to settle. Additionally on a case-by-case basis, AffordAssist may be used by owner occupiers and investors. Please contact us for further details.

A. There are a number protections for the buyer:

• Fair pricing model – The owner must sell properties through the program at a price equivalent or less than similar properties sold by the owner in the same estate.
• Contravention of fair pricing model – The buyer may rescind.
• Financial institution – Approving in principle that buyers can service a loan at the purchase price: Loan pre-approval and Serviceability Statement.
• Potential valuation variance – The DDA has a provision, the deferred deposit can be amended to accommodate funds to complete.
• Approved lender/ mortgage broker – AffordAssist does not earn a referral fee. Loan terms and interest rate are the same, with or without the AffordAssist deposit solution. No conflict of interest.
• Stakeholders fund – Monies are set aside to protect all the stakeholders

Governance: AffordAssist’s governance process includes a program solicitor, thus protecting stakeholders and the longevity of the program.

A. There are a number protections for the seller: 

• Deposit – Genuine committed buyers: The buyer must pay the deferred deposit in accordance with the ‘Contract for Sale’ + DDA.
• Charge – A charge on the property ensuring the property is never sold without repayment of the DDA amount.
• Consequences of failure to repay – The owner can sell. The surplus representing the capital gain on the property remains the property of the owner.
• Stakeholders fund – Monies are set aside to protect all the stakeholders.

Governance: As part of the AffordAssist governance process, AffordAssist have developed Fast-Track Readiness Form – The intention of this form tells AffordAssist more about the buyer(s) and how committed they are to owning their own home.

The Fast-Track Readiness Form may be shared with the property seller to help provide additional information on the buyer(s) seeking the deferred deposit solution. And, the buyers readiness.

A. Monies are set aside to protect all the stakeholders.

AffordAssist has an industry leading governance process. Also within the DDA there is provision for hardship consideration. The Stakeholders Fund is meant to give another layer of protection and, extend respect/ dignity to stakeholders during difficult times.

Life happens:
The purpose of the fund is to have monies set aside to protect all the stakeholders. Example, a buyer experiencing a medical, family or financial emergency, unable to make payments toward the DDA. Another example, a buyer not making payments towards the DDA by choice may result in the property seller carrying that outcome. An unfair outcome for extending generosity to help. Life happens, thus having this fund may prevent financial ruin at the same time protect other stakeholders and the longevity of the AffordAssist program.

Our vision is to help at least 4,500 first home buyers per year …with their goal to attain the great Australian Dream. Having a portion ($300 to $500) of each DDA fee set aside will in due course amount to a significant fund to protect the stakeholders. 

AffordAssist may direct the surplus funds towards donations.

A. Yes. The following is a summary of the AffordAssist services and whether a service fee is applicable. 

For clients

• Selecting a property from the AffordAssist Approved Property list. No fee is payable.* The service fees are paid by the property developer or agent.
• Selecting a property NOT from the AffordAssist Approved Property list. A service fee covering the Governance process, eligibility and managing the Deferred Deposit Agreement (DDA) is payable. $2,000 +GST
• Optional: Selecting AffordAssist Approved Buyer’s Agent
  • DIY+AffordAssist: flat fee, $3,000 +GST, or
  • Full Buyer’s Agent Service: flat fee, $9,000 +GST
• Governance solicitor, for advising clients on the Deferred Deposit Agreement (DDA), $600 +GST. This fee is payable directly by the clients to the solicitor.

Governance process covering fees

• No referral fees from lenders/ mortgage brokers.
• No referral fees from solicitors.
• AffordAssist Approved mortgage brokers cannot charge clients a mandate fee. Their service fee is paid by their lender.

For Approved professionals

• Approved professionals include: lenders, mortgage brokers, developers, master listing agents, buyers agents. A monthly fee is payable for the initial training, ongoing Governance support, including the use of the AffordAssist Approved symbol and where applicable CRM services.

*Private property sellers and in some cases some property developer or agents will expect the buyer to pay the AffordAssist service fees.

A. Yes

AffordAssist has established working relationship with Platypus Impact Housing Australia Limited (PIHA). 

AffordAssist + PIHA, working together:

• AffordAssist. Program governance, process management

• PIHA.  Shared Equity model. Registered charity. Selected properties

Offering two deposit options. No Interest:

1. Defer and pay the balance of the deposit ‘periodically’ within 120 months; or

2. Defer and pay the balance of the deposit by ‘lump sum’ PLUS the Shared Equity portion within 10 years.

Both purchase options: 100% ownership in the title.

PIHA is a registered charity committed to providing support and assistance to people and communities with housing needs. PIHA will do this by operating independently and in conjunction with registered Affordable Housing Providers representing and supporting community services initially in NSW, ACT, QLD & VIC.

A. Up to 15%, typically 10% 

A. Typically 10 years 

A. NO. The AffordAssist proprietary Deferred Deposit Agreement (DDA) is free of interest.  

A. The shared equity is in proportion to the balance of the deposit amount the buyer needed to secure the loan. Example: Where the buyer needs 10% so too is the shared equity and is calculated against the property increased value. 

A. The buyer has 100% equity in the property from unconditional exchange.

PIHA holds a caveat over the property to protect their deposit interest. This is registered with the relevant authorities immediately following settlement. 

A. NO. Under the PIHA shared equity model, it is completely at the buyers discretion. There is no obligation to make payments during the 10 year term. 

A. Buyers may complete the agreement at any time within the 10 year term. The increased value is determined at that time and the shared equity remains in the same proportions. 

A. Two amounts are considered to settle the agreement:
1. The deposit; plus
2. The shared equity amount.

Buyers may choose to pay in one lump sum or in annual increments. Options include:

• Roll over the arrangement into a new agreement or
• Sell the property or
• Refinance and pay out PIHA

The caveat is then lifted once all monies are cleared. 

A. If the buyers circumstances change eg, job loss, illness etc, then PIHA and AffordAssist will work closely with the buyers to determine the best possible course of action.