Ready to Buy Your First Home?
Learn How to Make It Happen – Free Maitland Seminar
Your first home purchase should be exciting — not stressful!
At the Watson Mortgages First Home Buyer Seminar, you’ll discover exactly what it takes to go from “thinking about it” to “holding the keys.”
That’s why we’ve brought together a panel of trusted local experts to guide you through every step of the journey.
At this free seminar, you’ll gain insider tips on:
Financing your first home
Understanding home loans, government incentives, and how a broker can save you time and money.
Choosing the right property
Insights into the local market and the pros & cons of different property types.
Navigating the legal process
Contracts, inspections, and the steps to settlement.
Your Expert Speakers
Gary Gilbert
Senior Mortgage Broker
Watson Mortgages
Bringing more than 40 years of finance industry experience, Gary Gilbert delivers trusted, practical advice to help clients meet their financial goals. Known for simplifying the complex and providing “client for life” service, Gary offers tailored solutions and step-by-step guidance to ensure every home buying journey is clear and stress-free.
Nestor Ramirez
Senior Mortgage Broker
Watson Mortgages
With over 15 years in financial planning and mortgage broking, Nestor Ramirez is passionate about helping clients achieve the great Australian dream of home ownership. Approachable and proactive, he guides first home buyers through the entire process, offering expert advice on building wealth, protecting your lifestyle, and achieving your unique property goals.
Chad Buckley
Property Sales Agent
River Realty
A qualified accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce, Masters of Marketing, and full real estate licence, Chad Buckley blends sharp market insight with a talent for finding the right property opportunities. Respected for his honesty and strategic approach, Chad helps clients make confident, informed property decisions.
Alicia Floyer
Director & Solicitor
Next Legal & Conveyancing
Founder of Next Legal & Conveyancing, Alicia Floyer is a property law expert with a reputation for delivering exceptional client results. With over a decade in the legal industry, she provides clear, timely advice and a highly personalised approach to ensure every property transaction runs smoothly from start to finish.
Event Schedule
Welcome & Introductions
Meet your hosts and speakers
Financing Your First Home
Home loan process, pre-approvals, borrowing capacity, grants & schemes
Property Market Insights
Established homes, house & land packages, units & townhouses
Legal & Conveyancing Essentials
Contract reviews, pest & building inspections, settlement process
Q&A + Networking
Ask your questions, get personalised advice, and enjoy light refreshments
Why Attend?
Get practical, easy-to-understand guidance
Learn how to avoid common first home buyer mistakes
Walk away feeling confident, prepared, and supported
Connect directly with professionals who can help you take the next step
Tickets
Light refreshments provided
Sandwich & fruit platters, tea, coffee, and soft drinks
Parking
Free Local Parking within walking distance
About Us
At Watson Mortgages, we make finding the right loan simple, stress-free, and completely tailored to you. With over 60 years of combined experience and partnerships with more than 30 lenders, our team compares hundreds of options to secure a competitive rate that suits your goals and lifestyle.
Our service is 100% free, and we do all the legwork — from application to settlement — so you can focus on what matters most. We’re flexible, convenient, and here for you whenever and wherever you need us, with ongoing support for refinancing, top-ups, or future investments.
Proudly local and family-owned, we’re part of your community and committed to helping clients across the Hunter Valley and beyond achieve their property, personal, and business finance goals.
Whether you’re buying your first home, refinancing, investing, or looking for personal or business lending solutions, you can trust our expert knowledge and personalised service every step of the way.
Watson Mortgages – Local expertise. Personal service. The right loan for you.
LEARN MORE ABOUT WATSON MORTGAGES
Our Awards
Achieve more with multi award winning
Watson Wealth
What Our Clients say
- Rex Maddock13/08/25Nestor has always provided excellent service in all respects. Highly recommended. RexRead MoreRead Less
Gillian Maddock13/08/25Nestor from Watson Mortgages is skillful, efficient and professional. We have worked with him over years now and he continues to impress us.Read MoreRead LessAlex Spinks30/07/25Nestor from Watson Wealth was fantastic from beginning to end. His knowledge and advice meant that we had confidence and a product that suited us specifically. He and his team were an absolute pleasure to deal with, as always. Highly recommend!Read MoreRead Less - james baker09/07/25Gary from Watson Mortgages has been absolutely outstanding. We are so lucky that he was able as to help us with the purchase of our first home. He will not stop until you have a new home, leveraging his extensive network of contacts and relationships with the banks to get you the best deal that is perfectly suited to your individual circumstances. He was a great source of financial (and moral) support to us and we will always remember how much he helped us at this time in our lives. Top bloke. 100% recommend. Thanks Gary!Read MoreRead LessCloe Evans-Tosiani01/07/25My partner and I didn’t have the easiest case nor a lot of time on our side but Gary Gilbert has done wonders for us! We honestly will be recommending him to absolutely everyone and have already started!
We can’t thank him enough.Read MoreRead LessAlanna Mills10/06/25Gary from Watson Wealth helped us navigate the saga that is finding a new home loan lender. We thank him and his team immensely for all their help in finding us a new loan.Read MoreRead Less - Giverny Chapman19/05/25Nestor from Watson Mortgages helped us get out of the rent market and into our dream home. A very knowledgeable gentleman who made us feel comfortable when making the biggest purchase of our lives. Thanks againRead MoreRead LessKy Gladdish13/04/25I can't rate Nestor Ramirez highly enough. We went in to selling our house and buying a new house with anxiety and we had no idea what we were doing or what to expect. It took months of us changing our mind going back and forward looking at so many options that Nestor had prepared for us.
He was so calm and so generous with his time and explaining the options he found for us. We were so clueless and really needed someone to guide us through every step and he was there for us.
I honestly don't think we could have done this without him. We really owe him a debt of gratitude.Read MoreRead LessZamir Melamed13/04/25My wife and myself recently had the pleasure of working with Watson Mortgages, and specifically with their outstanding broker, Nestor, to secure a mortgage for our new home. From the very first consultation, we were incredibly impressed with Nestor's professionalism, knowledge, and genuine care.
Nestor took the time to thoroughly understand our financial situation and our goals, patiently explaining all the different mortgage options available to us. He was never pushy and always ensured we felt comfortable and informed every step of the way. His expertise in the market was evident, and he was able to find us a fantastic rate and terms that perfectly suited our needs.
The entire process, which can often feel overwhelming, was made incredibly smooth and stress-free thanks to Nestor's proactive communication and meticulous attention to detail. He was always available to answer our questions promptly and kept us updated on the progress of our application. We truly felt like a priority throughout the entire journey.
Beyond his professional skills, Nestor is also a genuinely kind and approachable individual. He made us feel at ease and built a level of trust that we truly appreciated. It was clear that he was invested in helping us achieve our dream of homeownership.
We wholeheartedly recommend Watson Mortgages and, without hesitation, encourage anyone seeking a mortgage to reach out to Nestor. His exceptional service, combined with the reputable support of Watson Mortgages, made for a truly positive and successful experience. Thank you, Nestor and Watson Mortgages, for making our home buying journey so seamless!Read MoreRead Less - Mollie30/03/25Nestor was so helpful and thorough when we were applying for our first home right from the application through to settlement! Really lovely and personable to work with, thanks for your help Nestor!Read MoreRead Lesssamuelpickering04/01/25Nestor and the team were fantastic and I highly recommend Watson Mortgages for any brokering needs. Nestor made the process simple and easy to understand which took the stress out of buying and selling.Read MoreRead LessLuke Smith20/07/24Nestor and the Watson Mortgages team are always great to deal with. We highly recommend Watson Wealth.Read MoreRead Less
- Emma Manuel27/06/24Nestor and his team have been incredible. They helped us purchase our block of land and the application of our construction loan. They were so on top of everything and communication was flawless. We highly recommend Nestor & his team!!!!Read MoreRead LessLeanne Spierings15/06/24Thank You Watson Mortgages for all you help refinancing my property. Nestor Ramirez listen to my needs and wants and found me the lender right for me . Everything went smoothly with a quick settlement. I can highly recommend.Read MoreRead LessKatie Farnworth08/06/24We couldn't recommend Nestor enough! Nestor made the process of applying for our first home loan as easy to understand as possible! We appreciated his insight, experience and advice as we planned for this big next financial step for my husband and I. We will continue to recommend Nestor to friends and family!Read MoreRead Less
- Hannah Wareham29/05/24Nestor went above and beyond to make the borrowing process easy. He communicated regularly, and is very efficient. He is knowledgeable and supported us to get the right loan in a timely matter.Read MoreRead LessAiden Powell29/05/24Nestor was able to provide me with excellent home loan advice. His great industry knowledge and personable manner made for an enjoyable experience.Read MoreRead LessErin MD29/04/24Nestor went above and beyond to make the borrowing process a smooth. He communicated regularly , is knowledgeable and supported me to get the right loan.Read MoreRead Less
- Kyle Barnes30/03/24Nestor was my mortgage broker throughout the buying process and I can’t recommend him enough. … MoreRead MoreRead LessAndrew Newman30/03/24Nestor was a huge help in brokering our loan to buy a house.
He was prompt and professional. He communicated all that we needed to know in a way that helped us understand. … MoreRead MoreRead LessRosie Eyles29/03/24Nestor was extremely helpful and very supportive in our refinancing journey. He was very communicative and kept us well informed the whole process. Highly recommend his services!Read MoreRead Less - Cayle Beveridge29/03/24Nestor had excellent communication and guided us through a refinancing process smoothly. Would highly recommendRead MoreRead Lessphoenix wells29/03/24Kirsten's customer service is amazing, i highly recommend her!Read MoreRead LessAmy Meredith29/02/24Refinanced our home 2020 with Eliot and his team. It was a seamless process and everyone was so very helpful.Read MoreRead Less
- Sim B15/02/24A massive “THANK YOU” to Nestor, who I could not recommend highly enough! Not only is he a wealth of knowledge, but Nestor also has the ability to explain complex processes in layman’s terms. He never got frustrated with the endless questions nor made me feel silly for asking. Thank you again for your wonderful, compassionate and caring service! Kind Regards, SimoneRead MoreRead LessPaul Hill29/01/24Watson Mortgages gave us options to move our mortgage and were able to answer any questions and kept us up to date during the process.Read MoreRead LessLach Dolbel29/01/24I received confident and very personable advice and service obtaining my loan with Nestor. I would strongly recommend Nestor and the team at Watson to anyone in the hunt for a broker.Read MoreRead Less
- Zari Williams29/12/23When I first started looking into the property market and potentially buying a home, the whole process seemed incredibly daunting and overwhelming, that was until I met with Nestor. Right from the onset, he was able to provide me with valuable industry knowledge and insights, and I knew I had a real professional and expert in my corner. Nestor was able to answer all of my endless questions and checked-in on me frequently to see how I was going and if there was anything he could do to help. His service and communication throughout, was truly exceptional. Nestor has made becoming a first-home owner such a special and joyous experience, I wouldn't have wanted anyone else be my side on this journey. A huge thank again to Nestor and the team for everything they have done for me, it is so greatly appreciated and I could've have done this without them. I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending Nestor to anyone who wants complete professionalism, whilst simultaneously being provided a personalised and individually tailored experience.Thank you again!Read MoreRead LessBrendan Rae29/12/23Nestor was great. Nothing was too much trouble and he made the whole process so easy. Would definitely recommend.Read MoreRead LessMicroTechEFI29/12/23A massive “THANK YOU” to Nestor, who I could not recommend highly enough! Not only is he a wealth of knowledge, but Nestor also has the ability to explain complex processes in layman’s terms. He never got frustrated with the endless questions nor made me feel silly for asking. Thank you again for your wonderful, compassionate and caring service! Kind Regards, SimoneRead MoreRead Less
- Kyle Barnes29/12/23Nestor was my mortgage broker throughout the buying process and I can’t recommend him enough. Nestor along with the the entire team are extremely professional and efficient while also being relatable and realistic with what you can expect as a final outcome. He made extremely fast progress organising all the necessary paperwork. And throughout the entire process he went the extra mile to ensure I had the best outcome. In general it really helped streamline the process and remove unnecessary stress. 10/10Read MoreRead LessFay Purr29/11/23Nestor and then team at Watson were amazingly kind, communicative and very knowledgeable. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend themRead MoreRead LessTim Anderson29/11/23I have found Watson.mortgages to have expert knowledge in the filed and very helpful with good and clear communication they have done a top job with my finances and would recommendRead MoreRead Less
- John Radvan29/10/23I have no hesitation in recommending Nestor as a fantastic mortgage broker. Professional, with excellent communication and advice, everything was smooth from start to finish. Nestor secured us a great loan product that suited our needs, with a reputable lender, and at a fantastic rate. Many thanks to Nestor and the Watson Mortgages team!Read MoreRead LessTam29/09/23Wonderful experience with a very helpful approach for a first home buyer 👍Read MoreRead LessTroy Watson29/08/23During our time seeking a mortgage broker, it didn't take us long to see the value in Watson Mortgages. Nestor helped provide us with tailored advice and options available for our budget and life stage. My wife and I highly recommend their service and especially Nestor who provided a friendly face and efficient and reliable information. Flexible meet up times and consistent communication helped make us feel secure in trusting Watson Mortgages.Read MoreRead Less
- Ashleigh Newman29/08/23Nestor was so incredibly helpful and easy to work alongside. He was always willing to answer our questions and helped us through every step along the way. We greatly appreciate everything! Thank you!Read MoreRead LessAlex W29/07/23The team at Watson Mortgages were fantastic. They outlined and explained everything very clearly and were more than happy to help with any of our questions. Cannot recommend them enough.Read MoreRead LessAndrew Newman29/07/23Nestor was a huge help in brokering our loan to buy a house. He was prompt and professional. He communicated all that we needed to know in a way that helped us understand. Nestor would follow up and check in regularly to see how our house hunt was going and managed a great deal for us in the end. We are so thankful to him and the team at Watson’s. Would highly recommend!Read MoreRead Less
- Samantha Estreich29/06/23Extremely happy to recommend! One of the best experiences we have had & great results. Thanks!Read MoreRead LessSharyn Fraser29/06/23We had an amazing experience working with Nestor at Watson Mortgages! My husband and I needed a home loan approval urgently and he got it done quickly and we were able to buy the house of our dreams. Nestor was extremely knowledgeable and helpful throughout the entire process and made sure to explain every step, and answered all of our questions in a timely and professional manner. The end result was a home loan that was tailored to our specific needs with a smooth closing. I highly recommend Nestor to anyone in the market for a home loan. Absolute five star service!Read MoreRead LessWill Lassam29/06/23Nestor was professional and listened to our needs. Thank you.Read MoreRead Less
- Josh n jade Fellowes29/06/23Can't thank the team enough mainly Nestor for going above & beyond to get our higher then normal home loan pushed through with all rate rises happening an still managing a competitive rate! They call you when others wouldn't with updates, have tried other brokers with previous loans an Watson is by far the best!Read MoreRead LessAmanda Loredo29/06/23I would not hesitate to recommend Nestor and the team at Watson Mortgages. They helped us secure our mortgage quickly and with minimum fuss. They provide personalised, friendly service and advice to the highest quality!Read MoreRead LessKirsten Smith29/06/23I can’t thank the team enough!!!! After having issues with my car it was time to upgrade. Nestor and the team got my loan pre approved fast and with little effort. When I voiced my limited time and stress around car shopping, I was offered a car sourcing agent who took all my worries and came back to me with options. Fast forward two weeks and my new car was delivered to my door. Watson Mortgages took the stress out of a large purchase, saving me time and getting me a great interest rate. Follow up service has been great also. These guys genuinely care that I’m happy with my purchase. Five stars team. Thank you!Read MoreRead Less
- Brenden Burley29/06/23Shout out to Watson Mortgages Mortgage Broker Nestor Ramirez and team. This was the first time ever we have had a near seamless Refinance of our Mortgage. Furthermore Nestor went above and beyond and gave a personal touch updates on our progress and clear information requirements to reduce the notorious back and forth with banks. Would give an extra star just for Nestor. Cheers Watson Mortgages, great experience and I highly recommend them. Brenden & Kylee BurleyRead MoreRead LessAnthony Claxton29/06/23Nestor was fantastic to deal with every step of the way in securing a loan for our new house, and his regular updates kept us in the loop and our confidence high during the whole process. I would highly recommend Nestor and the team at Watson Mortgages for anyone looking at finance options!Read MoreRead LessMarnie Kempster29/06/23Nestor was fantastic in helping me purchase my first home. He was always available to answer any of my questions, kept me in the loop with each step and made the whole process easy for me. I would highly recommend Nestor!Read MoreRead Less
- TIGHTY-WHITY29/06/23Hi. My Name is Cameron I would like to thank Nestor and the team for the time and care that was put in to helping us out. It was stress free and a smooth process. The service was professional and will highly recommend to others. Thanks againRead MoreRead LessDominique Woloschyn29/06/23Nestor was fantastic to work with. His knowledge of the process, and insight he gave us was unparalleled. We are so thankful for his help and recommend him to everyone!Read MoreRead LessRachael Tedesco29/06/23Nestor and the team are extremely helpful. Their hands on approach and knowledge really enables the customer to make informed choices about their finances. Highly recommend.Read MoreRead Less
- Ryan Coulin29/06/23Nestor and his team were great to deal with and very proactive in changing my loans to another bank. Would use Nestor and Watson Mortgages again.Read MoreRead Lessmitchell presland29/06/23Nestor was great to deal with and always had our goals and situation in mind. Very professional with excellent communication.Read MoreRead LessAmanda Vipond29/06/23Went through Nestor & Watson Mortgages to get our first Home Loan. They have been super helpful the whole way through and can get things done incredibly fast.Read MoreRead Less
- Kaitlyn Beith29/06/23Watson Mortgages is an absolute pleasure to work with. I couldn't recommend them enough.Read MoreRead LessShane Gracie29/06/23Nestor has provided me great advice backed up by guidance and knowledge on how to fulfill my financial needs. I highly recommend Nestor.Read MoreRead LessKylie White29/06/23Nestor went above and beyond to secure our dream home for us. He was very honest, friendly and professional. I highly recommend Watson Mortgages.Read MoreRead Less
- Renny Lewis29/06/23Nestor was exceptional...great communication, kept me updated throughout the entire process.Highly recommend Watson MortgagesRead MoreRead LessLuke nunan29/06/23Watson mortgages were fantastic in helping me find a suitable mortgage that suited all my needs. They were always available if I had any questions. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for a home loan.Read MoreRead LessMark Hickey29/06/22Elliot and his team at Watson Mortgages went above and beyond to sort out the correct financials for our first home. They where always on hand to assist, when we had a question about the process. Thank You, Watson Mortgages for getting my family and I into my first home.Read MoreRead Less
- Chris Bradley29/06/22Watson Mortages helped me set up my financials and purchase my first house. They have also manage my super fund and have significantly increased its value. I have recently used their mortgage broker to organise a refinance at a much better rate than that advertised. They provide yearly reviews with concise information and flexible meeting times and setups. I have also used their legal professional to set up my will and POE. Overall Watson Mortages provides all the services I have required to set up every facet of my financial and legal situation. They have acted professionally and responsively in all undertakings and I highly recommend their services.Read MoreRead LessBlake Burgess29/06/22Elliot has an awesome team that care about each of their clients! Nestor did an amazing job with the mortgage & couldn’t recommend highly enough!Read MoreRead LessAaron Burke29/06/22Thanks to Watson Mortgages I was able to refinance and get a better rate plus use some equity to myself buy a new car. Very happy with the service, strongly recommend.Read MoreRead Less
- Glen Blanch29/06/22The Team at Watson Mortgages took the time to listen to our requests/situation. They gave professional and pro active advice to ensure that the product we needed was going to do the job and not be over the top expensive. The follow up service is always efficient and friendly. I have no hesitation in recommending Watson Mortgages.Read MoreRead LessLorne Black29/06/22Nice fast process that found me better deals than anyone else in town. Couldn’t be happier with the whole thing. Got a great product that fits my means perfectly.Read MoreRead Less
