Planning your next move
Upsizing, Downsizing, Relocation
Moving to your next home rarely comes with a simple set of choices. Do you buy first or sell first? Keep your current place as an investment or let it go? And how do you manage the gap in between? That's where careful structuring makes all the difference.
You're probably wondering…
Will I have to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance again?
Should I buy first or sell first?
What is bridging finance and will I need it?
How do I make sure settlement runs smoothly?
Can I keep my current home as an investment?
At Sphere, we help you weigh up the options and structure your lending to support the transition. Whether that involves deciding between holding or selling, arranging bridging finance, or restructuring to keep your portfolio working in your favour, we'll make sure the move is as smooth and strategic as possible.
Questions?
Moving on is a big move.
We'll structure your lending to support the next chapter, whatever it looks like.
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It's the biggest question when you're moving, and the answer depends on your finances, the market, and your appetite for risk. We'll walk you through both paths so you can make the call with confidence.
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Bridging finance covers the gap when you buy before you've sold. It isn't right for everyone, but it can make a move much smoother. We'll explain how it works and whether it suits your situation.
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Often, yes, and it can be a great way to grow your portfolio. We'll help you weigh up holding versus selling, and structure your lending so the numbers work either way.
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Not necessarily. It depends on your equity and how the new loan is structured. We'll look at your position and aim to structure things to avoid unnecessary costs where we can.
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That's our job. We coordinate with your agent, solicitor and lender to keep everything on track, so the move from one home to the next is as seamless as possible.
“Sphere helped me refinance my home loan and made the whole thing feel easy from start to finish. They were so knowledgeable and clearly cared about getting me the best deal possible.”
Brooke“Their customer service was exceptional. We had the pleasure of working with Sphere to restructure our loans, refinance some loans, pull out equity, settle a house and buy a new house! Highly recommend!”
Kristi Coller“Sphere helped us with refinancing and purchasing property with several layers of complexity and they were amazing every step of the way. Can't wait to finally have a broker we can count on in the long-term!”
Alice G. Listen as Rachelle Kroon explores upsizing, downsizing, relocation
Planning your next move? Speak to our expert brokers
Joe Carroll
Senior Mortgage Broker / Co-Director
Known for: Complex lending, high-income clients, medical professionals, investors and private bank scenarios.
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Joe is one of Australia’s leading mortgage brokers and a trusted specialist for clients whose lending needs require more than a standard approach. Recognised in the MPA Top 100 Brokers and awarded AFG Regional Broker of the Year, he brings sharp strategy, technical depth and calm execution to complex lending scenarios.
He works closely with high-income professionals, medical specialists, private bank clients, investors and self-employed borrowers, helping them structure lending with clarity and confidence. Whether there are multiple entities, complex income, investment portfolios or time-sensitive approvals involved, Joe knows how to ask the right questions, identify the right pathway and advocate strongly for the best possible outcome.
Outside Sphere: Joe is usually spending time with his daughters or in the ocean, making the most of the coastal lifestyle.
Genevieve Lyons
Senior Mortgage Broker
Known for: Warmth, care and deeply personal client support, particularly first home buyers.
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Genevieve is one of Sphere’s most trusted and deeply experienced Senior Mortgage Brokers. With more than 12 years at Sphere, she has played an important role in shaping the culture of exceptional service, care and client-first thinking the business is known for.
After spending her first five years at Sphere working directly with Rachelle Kroon, Genevieve developed a strong foundation in lending strategy, client care and high-performance broking. She brings a rare combination of technical knowledge, emotional intelligence and genuine warmth to the lending process, helping clients feel calm, informed and supported through big financial decisions.
Her approach is thoughtful, thorough and grounded in care, making her a trusted adviser for clients who want both strategy and support.
Outside Sphere: Genevieve is a wife and mum to Gia and Rowie, and her natural instinct to care for others is just as strong at home as it is with her clients.
Nathan Dobie
Senior Mortgage Broker
Known for: Credit policy knowledge, complex lending and out-of-the-box solutions.
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Nathan is Sphere’s human encyclopedia of credit policy. With more than 14 years of experience across financial services and over four years at Sphere, he is the broker people turn to when a lending scenario needs deep thinking, sharp structuring and a genuinely strategic solution.
Clients value Nathan for his calm manner, technical knowledge and ability to make complexity feel manageable. He works through the detail of each scenario, from income structures and servicing challenges to lender policy and investment strategy, finding options where others may only see roadblocks. His advice is considered, steady and grounded in a clear commitment to client outcomes.
Outside Sphere: Nathan loves a weekend getaway, whether that is comedy, live music or theatre in Sydney, a Hunter Valley winery, or another attempt at growing his garden.
Karen Kirby
Senior Mortgage Broker
Known for: Experience, drive and helping clients feel supported through every step.
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Karen is a highly experienced Senior Mortgage Broker with more than 20 years in lending. A fierce advocate for her clients and one of Sphere’s standout performers, she brings exceptional depth, energy and determination to every scenario.
Recognised as a Rising Star and named among the Top 50 Brokers last year, Karen is known for combining high-performance broking with genuine care. Whether she is helping clients buy their first home, upgrade, refinance or grow an investment portfolio, she brings focus, strategy and a strong commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. Her clients know she is in their corner from the first conversation through to settlement and beyond.
Outside Sphere: Karen is a proud mum of three daughters and loves spending time with family and friends. She is also passionate about Touch Football and represents her club and region.
Sphere is here.
Moving on is a big move. We'll structure your lending to support the next chapter, whatever it looks like.
We think differently about mortgages
Many mortgage brokers focus on getting you approved for the biggest loan possible. We focus on what actually makes sense for your situation and your future.
That means asking questions like:
What are you working toward in 5 years? 10?
Will this property stay your home, or might it become an investment?
How does this loan fit with your broader financial picture?
What happens if your plans change?
We map out your property plan first, then find the loan structure that supports it.
1. First, we talk strategy
Before we talk about loan products, interest rates, or how much you can borrow, we talk about where you're headed.
In your first strategy call, we'll discuss:
Your property goals (short-term and long-term)
Your financial situation and borrowing capacity
Different loan structures and what makes sense for your plans
Timing—whether now is the right time or if waiting makes more sense
Your questions (and we'll answer them in plain English)
What you'll walk away with: A clear understanding of your options and a plan that makes sense for where you're headed—not just where you are today.
2. We handle the hard bits
Once we've mapped out your strategy, we get to work on the logistics.
Here's what we do:
Compare loan products from 60+ lenders (800+ options) to find the best fit
Prepare and submit your application
Liaise with lenders on your behalf
Chase up valuations, approvals, and any requests for additional information
Keep you updated throughout (in actual English, not banking jargon)
Coordinate with your solicitor, real estate agent, or buyers' agent
Answer your questions as they come up (because they will)
You'll upload your documents through our secure portal, and we'll handle everything from there. No need to spend hours comparing lenders or navigating bank websites. That's our job.
What you'll walk away with: A loan that fits your strategy, approved and ready to settle.
3. You settle. We stay.
Your loan goes through. You get your keys, and we keep in touch to support you through your future property journey.
Here's what happens after settlement:
Regular check-ins
We reach out periodically to see how you're tracking and whether anything's changed in your situation.
Loan reviews
We monitor your interest rate and let you know if there's a better option available, whether that's repricing with your current lender or switching to a new one.
Strategy updates
Your plans will evolve. Maybe you're ready to buy an investment property. Maybe you want to restructure for tax purposes. Maybe you're moving cities. We're here to help you think it through.
Next property moves
When you're ready for property two, three, or beyond, you've already got a broker who knows your situation and your goals.
What you'll walk away with: A long-term partner who's invested in your property success, not just your next transaction.
Why our approach works
Why Sphere?
✓ Strategy-first approach
✓ We’re here for the long term
✓ Salaried brokers
✓ 60+ lenders, 800+ loan products
✓ 500+ five-star reviews
Salaried brokers mean better advice
Our brokers aren't chasing commissions. They're salaried, which means they can:
Take six months to help you save a bigger deposit (if that's the right move)
Recommend repricing your existing loan instead of refinancing (even though we don't get paid for that)
Tell you to wait if now isn't the right time to buy
Spend time on strategy without watching the clock
This isn't how a lot of brokerages work. And that's exactly why we do it this way.
We think long-term
Most brokers optimise for this transaction. We optimise for your next decade.
That means:
Choosing loan structures that work now and later
Thinking about tax implications as your portfolio grows
Planning for life changes (career moves, family, etc.)
Building relationships, not just processing applications
We simplify what's complicated
Offset accounts, redraw facilities, fixed vs. variable, principal and interest vs. interest-only, LVR, LMI, serviceability… There's a lot of jargon in this industry!
We explain it all in plain English, answer your questions without making you feel silly, and help you make decisions you actually understand.
Refinancing & equity FAQs
You might be wondering…
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If your rate isn't competitive anymore, your circumstances have changed, or you want to access equity for renovations or investment.
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As part of our service, we do regular check-ins to see if there are better options or ways to save you money. But a good rule of thumb is annually, or whenever your situation changes significantly.
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Home equity is the difference between your property's current value and what you still owe. You can use it for renovations, to buy an investment property, or to consolidate other debts. We can calculate how much equity you have and explain your options.
The loan process FAQs
You might be wondering…
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That depends on your income, expenses, deposit, and other commitments. We can give you an estimate once we review your details in a strategy call.
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Generally: ID, payslips, bank statements, and details of your assets and debts. We'll give you a full checklist once we start working together.
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Pre-approval can take a few days.
Full approval would be 1-2 weeks once we have all the documents we need, sometimes faster sometimes longer dependant on the lender.
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Some lenders require it, but there are options where gifted funds or rent history may be accepted. We'll talk through what works for your situation.
Working with sphere FAQs
You might be wondering…
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Not at all. While we're based on the Central Coast, we work with clients across NSW and nationally.
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That's totally fine. We're happy to have a conversation about your goals and help you figure out when you'll be ready. We're not here to rush you.
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Before we talk about loan products or interest rates, we talk about where you're headed. What are you working towards? What happens in 5 years? 10? We map that out first, then find the financing that supports your plan.
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You’ll get the keys to your property!
As for us, we’ll check in regularly, monitor your interest rate, and let you know if there are better options available. When you're ready for your next property move, we're already here.
Still have questions?
Can't find what you're looking for? Book a strategy call and we'll answer your specific questions.
500+ 5 STAR REVIEWS
From people we've helped buy homes, build portfolios, and plan their property futures Australia-wide, including the Central Coast, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong and Regional NSW.