Meet Ruby – your trusted Mortgage Partner

👋 Hi, I’m Ruby – the founder of Mortgage Helpdesk and your principal mortgage broker. I’m not just here to crunch numbers or tick boxes — I’m here because I’ve been where you are.

With over 15 years of experience in property investing, refinancing, and lending — including roles at St. George Bank and Aussie Home Loans — I’ve seen both the wins and the setbacks. I know how confusing it can be when no one explains your options, your strategy, or even asks what you’re trying to achieve.

When I got my first loan, my broker didn’t ask a single strategic question but just “How much do you want to borrow?”
No guidance. No education. Just a transaction.

After a quick 10-minute phone chat, I was passed off to a broker assistant. From that point on, it was all about paperwork — no one took the time to explain whether the loan suited my long-term goals. No one told me what I should be aware of if I decided to turn the property into an investment in the future. I didn’t even know the difference between a redraw facility and an offset account, or how my everyday banking habits could impact how much interest I paid.

Later, while working at St. George Bank, I had the chance to learn from some very experienced lending professionals. That exposure opened my eyes to how much more borrowers should be told upfront, and how strategy can shape long-term financial outcomes.

That’s why I started Mortgage Helpdesk , to give everyday Australians the clear, thoughtful, human guidance I wish I’d had from day one.

Costly Lessons I Learned the Hard Way

When I bought my first home in 2011, I was full of excitement, but also full of questions I didn’t know to ask. Soon after, the property became an investment when my growing family needed a larger home in a good school catchment. It was a smart move for the family — but not so much for our finances. Because the loan hadn’t been structured properly from the beginning, we missed out on a lot of tax benefits when the property turned into an investment. We had been diligently putting our savings into a redraw account, thinking we were doing the right thing — but that money was treated as “paid down” on the loan. When it came time to claim interest as a tax deduction, we found out too late that the way we’d used our redraw wiped out the deductibility. No one at the bank explained this to us perhaps they think these are not their responsibilities and we had no idea what we should have done differently.

My husband and I are passionate property investors. Over the years, we’ve been building our investment portfolio together and it’s been an exciting, eye-opening journey. But let’s be honest: it’s not always easy. Every step involves big decisions. Sometimes they’re stressful, and often, you find yourself feeling unsure. You just wish someone could offer clear guidance when you get stuck. One of the most critical parts of the journey is your ability to secure the right loan, a loan that actually supports and enables you to acquire the properties and expand your portfolio, not hold you back. That means planning ahead, even from your very first purchase. It’s a bit like running a marathon, if you go in without pacing or direction, you can exhaust yourself early and struggle to reach the finish line. With my genuine experience as a hands-on investor, I want to help others avoid burnout, set clear goals, and choose a loan that’s structured to support the whole journey — not just the next step.

Over the years, we’ve bought all kinds of properties including apartments, townhouses, and even an 80-year-old house we knocked down and rebuilt. Each type came with its own challenges, but all added to our experience. We once bought an off-the-plan townhouse that ended up being valued lower than the purchase price. It’s a tough lesson that taught us the importance of due diligence and realistic expectations. In our property investing journey, we’ve made mistakes but those mistakes gave us wisdom.

We now look for properties with a strong land-to-asset ratio, because land tends to appreciate more reliably over time. This helps ensure we’re not just buying a house — we’re investing in growth potential. We also explore interstate markets beyond our own backyard. By understanding different local economies and growth trends, supply demand dynamics we’re able to spot opportunities others might miss, often before prices take off. Importantly, we’ve learned that investing is not a solo game. We’ve built a trusted team of professionals — including accountants, buyer’s agents, solicitors, and town planners — who work with us to assess each deal from all angles. Their input helps us move forward with confidence. And rather than relying on gut feeling alone, we use data to guide our decisions — rental demand, inventory level, days on market, capital growth indicators, infrastructure plans, and many more. Making rational, informed choices gives us peace of mind and improves our outcomes.

More than just a broker. Your property journey buddy.

I want to use my experience to truly add value — not just by helping you get a loan, but by being your trusted partner on your property journey. Whether you’re buying your first home or building an investment portfolio, I’m here to guide you through the decisions, share what I’ve learned, and help you avoid the mistakes I made.

We believe these lived experiences give us the insight and empathy to support you better — not just as mortgage brokers, but as fellow property buyers and investors who’ve walked the same path.