Goodlend is a mortgage broker based in Footscray. We help first home buyers, refinancers and investors in Footscray, Seddon, West Footscray, Maribyrnong, Yarraville and across Melbourne, from first chat to settlement, in plain English.
Mortgage broker in Footscray and inner west Melbourne
Based in Footscray, helping buyers across Melbourne
Access to over 30 lenders
Part of our commission goes to a charity you choose
What a local mortgage broker actually does
A bank can only show you its own loans. A broker looks across a panel of lenders and, when recommending a loan, must act in your best interests. In practice that means we:
- Look at your income, spending, savings and debts, and help you set a buying budget that survives real life
- Explain the loan options that could suit you, and why
- Prepare and submit the application, and chase it so you don't have to
- Stay involved through to settlement, and check in afterwards, for example when rates move
Yes, a broker gets paid when your loan settles. We explain how further down, because you should ask every broker, us included.
Checks worth doing on any inner-west property
These apply whichever suburb you choose. None is credit advice, and none replaces a conveyancer or solicitor.
Planning and heritage
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Get the free Planning Property Report for the address and look at the overlays.
Flooding
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Check the address on Melbourne Water's flood map and read the VICSES local flood guide.
The contract
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Have a conveyancer or solicitor check the Section 32 vendor statement. Consumer Affairs Victoria's due diligence checklist is a good start.
The building
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Arrange a building and pest inspection before you commit. It's harder to add conditions if you buy at auction.
Apartments
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Read the owners corporation certificate, fees and records.
Sale prices
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We don't quote prices here because they go stale fast. The Valuer-General Victoria publishes suburb sales statistics every quarter.
How buying differs across the inner west
Why it matters: the kind of home you're most likely to buy changes what you budget for, what you check, and what to ask before you bid. Here's the most recent Census snapshot of homes in each suburb.
HousesTerraces, townhousesFlats and apartmentsHouseholds renting
SuburbType of home (share of occupied private dwellings)Renting
From the ABS 2021 Census: tap a suburb name for its QuickStats. Rows may not add to exactly 100, and these figures will change when newer Census results come out.
Show the numbers as a table
| Suburb | Houses | Terraces, townhouses | Flats and apartments | Households renting | Private dwellings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Footscray | 31.5% | 15.3% | 52.3% | 55.9% | 9,873 |
| Seddon | 67.3% | 15.5% | 16.4% | 39.1% | 2,406 |
| West Footscray | 58.9% | 19.1% | 21.4% | 40.4% | 5,369 |
| Maribyrnong | 33.6% | 31.3% | 34.9% | 37.7% | 6,029 |
| Yarraville | 71.7% | 16.2% | 10.9% | 33.2% | 6,835 |
Mostly apartments
Footscray
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Just over half of Footscray's homes are flats or apartments. Buying one brings owners corporation fees, possible special levies and building records into your budget and your checks.
Mostly houses
Yarraville and Seddon
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About seven in ten Yarraville homes and two in three Seddon homes are separate houses. With older houses, heritage overlays and renovation plans are the bigger question.
Lots of renters
Footscray
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More than half of Footscray households rent, so many local buyers are renters becoming owners for the first time. Talking early gives you a target to save towards.
Suburb by suburb
Footscray
52.3% flats and apartments55.9% of households rent
Buying an apartment↻ Tap
An owners corporation means fees, possible special levies and building records worth reading. Consumer Affairs Victoria has a buying an apartment or unit checklist. Tell us early which building you're looking at, so finance questions come up before you sign.
Getting around↻ Tap
Footscray station is on the Werribee and Williamstown lines, fare zone 1.
New Footscray Hospital↻ Tap
The new Footscray Hospital, next to Victoria University, opened in February 2026.
Maribyrnong
About a third each: houses, townhouses, apartments
The river and flooding↻ Tap
Melbourne Water published updated flood modelling for the lower Maribyrnong River in 2024, with an interactive map, and VICSES publishes a local flood guide. Check the address, and ask an insurer about cover before you commit.
The former Defence site↻ Tap
The site on Cordite Avenue is about 128 hectares. A 2020 draft vision pictured about 3,300 homes but was never released for comment, and Defence has begun selling the site. Treat any timeline you hear as unconfirmed.
Trams↻ Tap
Tram routes 57 and 82 run through parts of the suburb.
Seddon
67.3% housesAbout 2,400 homes
A small, house-heavy suburb↻ Tap
At the 2021 Census, Seddon had only about 2,400 private dwellings, and about two in three homes were separate houses.
Heritage overlay↻ Tap
Part of Seddon sits inside a heritage overlay (the "Seddon residential and commercial heritage area"). You'll generally need a council permit to demolish, change the outside of the building or build. Check the free Planning Property Report before you offer.
Getting around↻ Tap
Seddon station is on the Werribee and Williamstown lines.
West Footscray
58.9% houses
Mostly houses↻ Tap
About six in ten West Footscray homes were separate houses at the 2021 Census, with terraces, townhouses and apartments making up the rest.
Heritage: check the address↻ Tap
Council proposed heritage precincts here, then abandoned the amendment in June 2023. Don't assume an overlay applies, or that it doesn't: check the Planning Property Report for the address.
Sunbury line trains↻ Tap
Since February 2026 Sunbury trains run through the Metro Tunnel, and not every peak-hour train stops at West Footscray, so check the timetable.
Yarraville
71.7% houses33.2% rent, lowest of the five
The house suburb↻ Tap
About seven in ten Yarraville homes were separate houses at the 2021 Census, and it had the lowest share of renters of the five suburbs.
Heritage overlays↻ Tap
Heritage overlays cover parts of Yarraville too. Planning to renovate? Check the property's Planning Property Report first.
Getting around↻ Tap
Yarraville station is on the Werribee and Williamstown lines.
What local clients ask us?
Real questions from buyers across the inner west, answered by our team. Pick one to read the answer.
How much can I borrow?
It depends on your income, expenses, debts and how much you've been able to save, as well as the lender's assessment. We work through those details with you and explain what a realistic range might be before you apply for pre-approval.
Lenders also test whether you could still manage the repayments if interest rates rose, and they count your credit card limits, not just your balances. Because each lender weighs these things differently, the same person can get different answers from different lenders. We'll show you a range, and what would move it.
Is pre-approval enough to make an offer?
Pre-approval is a useful start, but remember it's conditional, and it's for an amount, not a particular property. The lender still has to assess the property, including its valuation, before final approval. So before you commit, talk to us about the property and the finance conditions in your contract.
If you're buying at auction, there's generally no cooling-off period and the sale isn't subject to finance, so talk to us well before auction day about the property and how much you're comfortable bidding.
Should I buy an apartment or a house?
We love apartment living here in the west, but it comes down to your budget, your plans and the specific property, not forgetting owners corporation costs and building considerations. We can help you understand how the property may affect your loan options and borrowing position.
With an apartment, look at the owners corporation fees, any special levies and the building's records. With a house, allow for maintenance and, in some streets, heritage rules if you plan to renovate. Lenders can also have their own policies for some apartments, so tell us early which property you're looking at.
What we saw: a Footscray apartment
A client was looking at a strata apartment in Footscray. The location and property details prompted us to check the owners corporation records before settling on a lender and an offer strategy. We're glad we did: a cladding issue, since fixed, was buried in the minutes. It was a good reminder that borrowing capacity alone doesn't tell the whole story; the property itself can change the finance conversation.
That's why we ask which building you're looking at as early as possible. A quick look at the records can save a lot of stress later.
I rent now. Where do I start?
Renters often ask how much deposit they need, or what they can afford on their current income, so they know how long they'll need to wait. The first thing we tell them: let's work out what's possible from your income first, then figure out the deposit and the next steps.
From there we'll give you a realistic target and a rough timeframe, and point out anything that could speed it up or slow it down, such as debts to pay down or government help you might be eligible for. You don't need your full deposit before you talk to us.
What goes wrong between offer and settlement?
Where we see buyers come unstuck: a valuation that comes in below the purchase price, things dragging out longer than expected, or important details being missed. Keep us and your conveyancer in the loop from the start, track your finance and settlement dates with a buffer for surprises, and tell us quickly if anything changes.
If a valuation comes in below the price, the lender may lend less than you planned, and the difference has to come from somewhere. That's why we talk about a buffer early, and why it pays to have your conveyancer check the finance and settlement dates in the contract before you sign.
Who would you call?
Need a conveyancer or building inspector? Ask us. We can share local people we've worked with, for our own properties or for our clients, and we don't take referral fees for it.
That usually means conveyancers and building and pest inspectors. We'll share the names we've used and why; who you choose is entirely up to you.
How quickly can it happen?
Every client's situation is different, but once we have the right information we can often get a lender's answer on a pre-approval or refinance within 48 hours.
The right information usually means ID, recent payslips or tax returns, bank statements and details of any debts, plus the property details if you've found one. Getting those to us early is the biggest thing you can do to speed things up.
Why Footscray?
Our team has been connected to the Footscray area for more than fifteen years. It’s a great place to live and work: the food scene, local parks like Newells Paddock and the Maribyrnong River, and a quick train trip into the city.
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Our clients often tell us they appreciate how upfront we are about what can go wrong when buying a first home or refinancing. We work to avoid those problems, and because we’ve talked them through early, we’re ready if one does come up.
Buying, refinancing or investing
First home buyer?
Our first home buyer page walks through the steps, the costs, what to prepare, and the Victorian and federal help on offer.
First home buyer guide →Refinancing?
Already own in the inner west? Our guide to refinancing your home loan covers what to check before you switch.
Refinancing guide →Investing?
We arrange investment loans too. The first conversation is the same: what you can borrow, what the property costs to hold, and how the loan could be set up.
Talk to us →How we get paid
You don't pay us a fee. Lenders pay us a commission when your loan settles, and we'll show you upfront how we're paid.
Commission is usually a percentage of the loan, with an upfront and an ongoing part. Ask any broker how they're paid and whether it differs between lenders.
- Your loan settles
- The lender pays our commission
- Part goes to the charity you choose
See our charity partners.
Inner west Melbourne buying questions
What should I check before buying an apartment in Footscray?
Read the owners corporation certificate, fees, any special levies and the building’s records, including meeting minutes. Consumer Affairs Victoria has a buying an apartment or unit checklist. Tell us early which building you’re looking at, so any finance questions about it come up before you sign, not after.
How do I know if a house in Seddon, Yarraville or West Footscray has a heritage overlay?
Get the free Planning Property Report for the address and look at the overlays. Parts of Seddon and Yarraville are covered by heritage overlays, and with one you’ll generally need a council permit to demolish, change the outside of the building or build. In West Footscray, Council abandoned its proposed heritage precincts in June 2023, so check the actual address rather than assume.
Is flooding a concern when buying in Maribyrnong?
It can be for properties near the Maribyrnong River. Melbourne Water published updated flood modelling for the lower Maribyrnong River in 2024, with an interactive map, and VICSES publishes a local flood guide. Check the specific address, and ask an insurer what cover looks like before you commit.
Do all trains stop at West Footscray?
No. West Footscray is on the Sunbury line, and since February 2026 Sunbury trains run through the Metro Tunnel rather than the City Loop. Not every peak-hour train stops at West Footscray, so check the timetable if you’ll commute. Footscray, Seddon and Yarraville stations are on the Werribee and Williamstown lines.
What's happening with the former Defence site in Maribyrnong?
The former Defence site on Cordite Avenue is about 128 hectares. A 2020 draft vision from the Victorian Planning Authority pictured about 3,300 homes but was never released for public comment, and Defence has begun selling the site. Treat any timeline you hear for it as unconfirmed.
I rent in the inner west. When should I talk to a broker about buying?
Early. More than half of Footscray households rented at the 2021 Census, so plenty of local buyers start where you are. We work out what’s possible from your income first, then the deposit and the next steps, which gives you a target to save towards. You don’t need your full deposit before you call.
Talk to a local broker.
No pressure, no obligation. Just a conversation about where you're at.
General information only. It doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and it isn’t credit advice. Any home loan is subject to lender approval and conditions.