Can I get a home loan if I'm 65?

Yes — with serviceability and exit strategy. Term may be shortened.

What is the downsizer super contribution?

55+ can contribute $300K from family home sale into super. We coordinate.

Should I sell first or buy first?

Sell-first: certainty + interim accommodation. Buy-first: bridging finance.

How does pension income count for borrowing?

Age Pension counts (often discounted). Super income gives better capacity.

Bridging loan for downsizer — how does it work?

Interim finance to buy before sell. Repaid from sale. Higher rate, short-term.

Downsizer Home Refinancing

Who this guide is for

Australians 55+ downsizing from larger family homes to smaller properties — empty nesters, retirees, near-retirees consolidating.

Empty nesters with grown children moving out
Pre-retirees consolidating ahead of retirement
Retirees moving to age-friendly property
Multi-generational South Asian families restructuring living arrangements

The local picture

Older borrowers face age-related lender restrictions. Some banks limit loan terms based on retirement age. Pension income is treated differently. The downsizer super contribution rules create timing complications.

How Mortgagefy helps locally

Mortgagefy works with downsizer scenarios regularly. We identify lenders flexible with older borrowers, coordinate with accountants on super contribution timing, and structure properly.

Free advice.

How it works — 4 simple steps

Free downsizer chat

20-minute call about your current home, target property, and timing.

Compare lender options

We identify lenders flexible with downsizer-aged borrowers.

Coordinate sale + purchase

We coordinate finance with sale of your current home.

Settle into your new home

You downsize with proper structure in place.

Frequently asked questions

We use offer letters and vesting schedules to value RSUs conservatively. We present current vesting value + projected future vesting as a 3-5 year income average. This gives lenders confidence in your income stability while accounting for market volatility.

Both. We work with W2 employees, 1099 contractors, and consultants. For contractors, we use 2 years of tax returns plus business financials. We have lenders who specialise in contractor income—they understand the variability.

Unvested options have zero value for refinancing. We count only vested equity. If you have a 4-year vest, we use 25% of the grant value (what's vested) plus a conservative projection of future vesting.

If you've been in your new role 6+ months, most lenders will refinance. We'll use your offer letter plus 6 months of pay stubs. If less than 6 months, it's harder but possible with specialist lenders.

Yes, if you have 2+ years of bonus history. We average the past 2 years and present it conservatively. Some bonuses get counted at 50% to be conservative with variable compensation.

ESPP is counted as deferred compensation. If your company matches or you have a discount, we value it as part of total compensation package.

Talk to us about downsizer home loans

Free 20-minute call about your downsizing plans.

Start Your Free Assessment Call 0432 634 648

Get your personalised answer in 2 minutes

Free, no obligation. We'll match you with the right lender for your situation.

Model your scenarios: Use our free home loan calculators to estimate borrowing capacity, repayments, and savings.

Downsizer Home Loan in Australia: For Empty Nesters Moving Smaller