For many Canberra families, entering the property market no longer feels straightforward. Between rising living costs, changing lending policies, and increasingly complex government schemes, many first home buyers and single parents are finding themselves overwhelmed before they even submit a home loan application.
It is something award-winning Canberra mortgage broker and APC Home Loans founder Aimee Bergan says she is seeing more frequently as buyers search for genuine guidance and support in an increasingly crowded lending market.
"People do not necessarily need more information; they need someone who will actually explain things and help them understand what applies to their situation," Ms Bergan said.
At 25 years old, Ms Bergan booked a phone appointment with a franchised lender that promoted itself as specialising in first home buyers, hoping to understand what she needed to do to purchase a home. Instead, the conversation lasted only a few minutes and ended without any real guidance, alternative options, or a plan to help her work toward home ownership in the future.
"I remember getting off the phone feeling completely deflated," she said. "I was not expecting miracles or an instant approval, but I did expect someone to take the time to explain my options or help me understand what I could work towards."
Ms Bergan said the experience stayed with her for years and ultimately helped shape the way she now approaches clients at APC Home Loans.
"When people are trying to buy a home, they are often already overwhelmed and unsure where to start," she said. "Sometimes people do not need a yes straight away; they just need someone willing to guide them, explain things properly, and give them a pathway forward."
After a career with one of Australia's major banks, Ms Bergan launched APC Home Loans with a strong focus on helping first home buyers, families, and single parents navigate the path to home ownership with clarity and confidence. Now a mother herself, she says many borrowers simply want someone approachable who can explain the process in plain language.
"We are seeing more people who assume buying a home is years away because they have been overwhelmed by the process or told no once before," she said. "Sometimes they do not realise there may be support schemes available, or that different lenders assess situations differently."
That personalised approach has seen APC Home Loans grow rapidly through client referrals, local community groups, and Canberra noticeboard recommendations.
"It has grown organically because people genuinely value having someone in their corner," Ms Bergan said. "One of the nicest things is seeing clients recommend us in local Facebook groups and community pages when someone asks for a broker who will actually take the time to help."
The business begins every client relationship with a complimentary discovery call designed to help borrowers understand their options before committing to an application.
"We talk about what they actually want to achieve," Ms Bergan said. "Sometimes it is helping a first home buyer understand where to start, and other times it is reassuring someone that home ownership may be more achievable than they initially thought."
One client review that particularly resonated with her read: "I did not think I was going to be able to buy a home and then I met Aimee and now I can."
"For me, that is what this business is really about," Ms Bergan said. "It is not just about loan approvals. It is about helping people feel supported, informed, and confident enough to take the next step toward home ownership."
