Mortgage Broker Kensington
Finance Craft is a mortgage broker in Kensington, run by Shane Howley from a base one suburb east in Coogee. Kensington has UNSW at its centre and one of the deepest rental markets in Sydney. Whether you're buying your first apartment, upgrading or investing, I provide access to 30+ lenders and auction pre-approval, all with a $0 brokerage fee.
Mortgage services for Kensington
Home Loans
Variable, fixed, and split loans across 30+ lenders. From apartments along Anzac Parade to Federation homes in Kensington's conservation areas, I know which lenders suit each property type.
Learn more →Auction Pre-Approval
Kensington units average 33 days on market and the well-priced ones go faster. I arrange pre-approval before you start inspecting so you can bid knowing your finance is set.
Learn more →Investment Loans
UNSW sits inside the suburb, so student demand underpins Kensington's rental market in a way few Sydney suburbs can match. I arrange lending that fits the way you want to build your portfolio.
Learn more →Refinancing
If your home loan hasn't changed in a few years, you're probably paying more than you need to. I'll compare your rate across 30+ lenders at no cost.
Learn more →Buying in Kensington? Get pre-approved before you inspect.
Talk to ShaneWhy use a mortgage broker in Kensington?
Kensington units average 33 days on market and the good ones go faster. UNSW sits inside the suburb, so investors compete with owner-occupiers for the same stock. Shane arranges both, and knows which lenders suit the new builds near campus and the Federation homes in the conservation areas.
A Local Eastern Suburbs Broker
Finance Craft works across the Eastern Suburbs every week. I know the streets, the buildings, the agents, and what Kensington properties actually sell for. That familiarity shows up in the loans I win for clients.
Diverse Property Knowledge
Kensington runs from older apartment blocks and new builds near UNSW to Federation houses in its conservation areas. Each property type has its own lender quirks, and I know which banks handle each well.
30+ Lenders Compared
Banks, non-banks and specialist lenders all sit on my panel. One conversation covers the whole market instead of one bank's product list.
$0 Brokerage Fee
You pay me nothing. The lender pays a commission at settlement, so my help costs you $0 from first chat to settlement.
What Clients Say
I had a great experience working with Shane. He was professional, knowledgeable, and always quick to respond to any questions or concerns I had throughout the process. His communication was excellent, and he made everything straightforward and stress-free. I really appreciated his reliability and dedication, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for a trustworthy broker.
You won't find a better Broker in Sydney!! Shane got us the best deal and went well beyond the call of duty to ensure our deal went through without a hitch. Thank you for all your help Shane, we couldn't have done this without you!
Finding the right mortgage broker can be daunting, but save yourself the time and go to Shane from Finance Craft. He is experienced, responsive, and patient with all questions. Shane acted promptly to remove any blockers and challenges, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process. He was always available for questions and calls, demonstrating his commitment and dedication, guiding us every step of the way and making the entire experience seamless. We will use his services for future property finance matters. Highly recommended, thanks Shane!
Shane has been absolutely amazing. His professionalism and availability at every step made this whole process so much easier. He answered all our 1,000 questions with such patience and expertise, which gave us the confidence to take this big step. We truly recommend him.
Shane is absolutely amazing. He makes the whole process so seamless and supports you every step of the way. He is honest and very approachable. Would definitely recommend.
Shane's knowledge, expertise, efficiency, communication & customer service is top tier. He was super helpful in explaining things I didn't understand & in a timely manner. Kept us informed at all times as to where our application was at etc. Would definitely recommend. 10/10. Thanks Shane!
Local knowledge, 30+ lenders, and a $0 brokerage fee. Let's find your Kensington home loan.
Book a Free CallA unit-led market on UNSW's doorstep
Units drive most of Kensington's turnover, with around 155 sales a year against 43 houses. Entry prices sit well below the beach suburbs, which makes it a natural starting point for first home buyers, and UNSW keeps rental demand consistently strong for investors.
Source: Cotality (CoreLogic) data via Your Investment Property, 2026. Figures are indicative and subject to change.
Kensington mortgage FAQs
Get pre-approved before auction day and you can bid knowing your finance is settled. After the hammer falls, settlement usually runs 42 days, and I work with your conveyancer to keep it on schedule.
Kensington has everything from older blocks to new builds near UNSW, and lenders treat units far less consistently than houses. Very small studios, serviced apartments and high-density towers each trigger different policies. Matching the property to the right lender is part of what I do before you apply.
Borrowing 80% of the purchase price is the usual target, because staying under it avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Going higher is possible with LMI, and eligible professionals can have that waived entirely. I'll find the structure that fits your budget.
Few Sydney suburbs have a university of UNSW's size inside their boundary, and it shows in the numbers. Unit yields around 4.3% are among the better returns in the Eastern Suburbs and vacancy stays low year-round. I structure the loan around your longer-term portfolio plans. See investment loans for more.
A 20% deposit on the median Kensington house is around $730,000, and over $900,000 once you add stamp duty. Not everyone gets there with savings alone. Professional LMI waivers can take eligible buyers to 95%, a family guarantee can bridge part of the deposit, and upgraders can often draw on existing equity. There's more detail on my home loans page.
Yes. The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme lets eligible first home buyers purchase with just a 5% deposit and no LMI, and the $1.5 million Sydney price cap covers most Kensington units. First home buyers also pay no stamp duty up to $800,000, with concessions to $1 million, and the median Kensington unit sits inside that concession range. I'll confirm what you qualify for and structure the application. See my First Home Guarantee guide for more.
Yes, and Kensington is one of the more realistic Eastern Suburbs entry points. Units make up most of the market, there's stock under the government 5% deposit scheme price cap, and the median unit attracts a stamp duty concession. Caps and criteria shift each year, so I confirm your eligibility before anything else. Start with my first home buyers page.
If you're comparing mortgage brokers in Kensington, ask them about the suburb. I know Kensington's buildings, agents and prices firsthand. A bank can only offer you its own products. I compare more than 30 lenders and the service costs you nothing.
No. The service costs you nothing: the lender pays me a commission once your loan settles. There are no upfront charges, no hidden fees, and no obligation after an initial chat.
Your local Sydney Eastern Suburbs broker
I specialise in helping clients across Coogee, Clovelly, Bronte, Bondi, and all surrounding Eastern suburbs.
Ready to buy or invest in Kensington?
Book a free call with Shane and let's get your finance sorted.