Case Study: From Declined to Approved - Why Getting Advice Matters

When Mark and Emily (names changed for privacy) were referred to me by a friend, they were in a tough spot. They had already sold their home and were excited about the next step: buying a section so they could build their dream property.

They did what most people do first - they went straight to their bank. On paper, everything looked fine. The bank was happy to use Mark’s income, but they flat-out declined to use Emily’s. Why? Because they hadn’t properly understood her income and, more importantly, they hadn’t asked for the right documentation to verify it.

For Mark and Emily, this felt like the end of the road. No income, no approval, no section.

When I sat down with them, I couldn’t see any major issue. To me, Emily’s income was perfectly valid - the problem was that the bank hadn’t taken the time to understand it or guide them on what was needed.

So I worked with them to gather the exact documents that would verify her income. Once we had that, I went back to the same lender that had originally said “no.”

This time, with the correct evidence in place, the bank accepted it. Emily’s income was verified, and the application was reassessed.

• Loan approved with the same bank who had first declined them
• Able to purchase their section as planned
• Now free to move ahead with the exciting part - building their next home

If Mark and Emily had simply accepted the bank’s original decision, they wouldn’t even be in this position today. They’d have missed out on buying the land, and their dream build would still just be an idea.

Instead, by getting the right advice and the right documentation in front of the bank, they’re now back on track and moving forward with confidence.

If you’ve ever been declined or told “no” by your bank, don’t assume that’s the final answer. Sometimes it’s not about what you earn, but about whether the bank understands and verifies it properly. That’s where I step in.