Budgeting and saving for my first home

Saving up for a house deposit? We’re here to help.

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Speak to a Home Loan Adviser

Find a Home Loan Adviser near you and get expert advice.

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Ask yourself: Where's my dream neighbourhood?

First things first - check out the property prices in your dream neighbourhood. This will help you understand how much you might need to spend on your first home. Another thing to consider is how much money you'll need to save for a deposit.

The deposit amount will depend on the property price. Ideally, if you can cover 20% of the purchase price, you'll avoid having to pay Lender's Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

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First home buyer dictionary

Scratching your head when it comes to home buying jargon?  You’re not alone. To ease the pain, we’ve helped define common housing related terms and have listed them from A to Z.

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Savings calculator

With our savings calculator, you can see how much you should put aside to reach your deposit savings goal.

Consider how much you can afford to borrow and calculate your possible repayments

Knowing the cost for your home, let’s take a look at how much you can borrow. You may be able to borrow 100% of the purchase price if your family acts as a guarantor. Some factors we look at to determine how much we can lend you are:
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Your income

Home loan repayments should be less than 30% of your after-tax salary.


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Your savings history 

Show a strong savings history. Save for a deposit for at least three to six months.
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Your credit history

Pay off any existing debt as soon as possible.
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Your deposit

A deposit of 20% plus fees (conveyancer, stamp duty, building inspection, etc) is recommended, however you may have the option to consider Lenders' Mortgage Insurance (LMI) if your deposit is less than the recommended amount.

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Government home buying assistance

If you’re a first home buyer, People First Bank can help with a range of Government schemes and grants.

Prepare with a savings budget

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Write up a budget for your savings

This will show you how much you can afford to save and give you a feel for dealing with home loan repayments later on.

Now make the most of your savings and store them in a high interest savings account with no monthly fees.

Have you been saving for a deposit for three to six months? Let's get your pre-approval ready!

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Consider additional costs

There are a few extra costs first home buyers need to prepare for, such as stamp duty. We have a calculator that can help you understand the cost of stamp duty.

Other upfront costs may include legal costs, taxes and other fees depending on the state you buy in. Speak to a Home Loan Adviser for more information.

Almost done: Get a pre-approval

What is a pre-approval? Pre-approval means getting the approval and paperwork for a home loan out of the way, so that you're ready to shop for your first home. Showing a home loan pre-approval when placing an offer on your dream home can put you in front of other potential buyers. Plus, having a pre-approval provides you with the certainty of how much you can borrow and can keep you from looking at properties outside your price range.
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Contact a Home Loan Adviser

A People First Bank Home Loan Adviser can tell you the conditions for pre-approval and which home loan suits you best.

Our experts will also discuss first home buyer grants and stamp duty concessions available in your state or territory and check your eligibility.

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Overview of our fixed and variable rates

We have a range of home loan options available to you for your first home.

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Ready? Let’s apply for your pre-approval.

We'll aim to get back to you within 48 hours. 

FAQs

The cost of LMI generally depends on the borrower's LVR (Loan to Value Ratio) and amount of money they need to borrow. The cost can vary depending on the lender. For more information on LMI when taking out a Home Loan at People First Bank please speak to one of our Home Loan Advisers or call 13 11 82

LMI is a once-off payment made by the borrower at the time of loan settlement, which protects the lender should the borrower no longer be able to meet their loan repayments. 

To avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance, it is generally recommended the borrower keep their LVR (Loan to Value Ratio) below 80% plus any fees (conveyancer, stamp duty, building inspection, etc). If the borrower has a deposit of 20% or more of the property value, then they may not be required to pay LMI. For more information on whether you’ll need LMI please speak to one of our Home Loan Advisers or call 13 11 82

LMI may be required if the borrower doesn't have a minimum of 20% deposit to take out a home loan. 

Need some help? We've got you covered.

Get in touch with us and we can help you get the answers you need.

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