\r \r Reputation and Reliability\r \r \r Research the lender's reputation and reviews from independent sources.\r \r \r Ensure the lender has a professional website with relevant information,\r such as an Australian Business Number (ABN) and Australian Credit\r Licence (ACL) number.\r \r \r Ensure the lender is licensed by the Australian Securities and\r Investments Commission (ASIC) and is a member of the Australian\r Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).\r \r \r Check if deposit-taking institutions are licensed and supervised by the\r Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).\r \r \r \r \r Product Offering\r \r \r Consider lenders that specialise in the type of loan you need, such as\r low-deposit home loans, bad credit home loans or loans for self-employed\r borrowers.\r \r \r \r \r Interest Rates and Repayments\r \r \r Compare interest rates, fees and repayment terms across multiple\r lenders.\r \r \r Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. There may be hidden\r costs or restrictions.\r \r \r \r \r Customer Support \r \r \r Choose a lender with helpful and responsive customer support who is\r willing to work with you to find the right loan.\r \r \r \r\r