Before you apply for a home loan with your partner, there are a few discussions that you need to have that go a little beyond what you may know already.

We've made it to autumn! As the season changes, so does the finance and property landscape. Here are four stories making headlines right now:

• Why stamp duty keeps rising

• Deposit times fall

• Banks getting more cautious

• Rental market easing

As a seasoned mortgage broker, I understand that getting your finances in order is a crucial step in purchasing your first property. It's important to know what you can afford before diving into the home-buying process. There are two main paths you can take when looking for a mortgage. You can either approach a lender directly, each offering its own set of products with specific terms and conditions, or you can opt for the second path of working with a mortgage broker to find the best deal tailored to your needs.

Buying a property is more complex than most other purchases you’ll ever make. Here are the different parties who may be involved in your home-buying process and how you can leverage their valuable experience and knowledge..