When buying a property, it’s important to understand the upfront and ongoing costs.
Some of the costs involved with home ownership include government fees, insurance, interest charges, strata fees, council fees and more. Read on for a full run-down of the costs you’re likely to come across.
Purchase price
This is what you’ll pay to purchase the property and unless you’re paying outright, it’s likely to include money you’ve saved and money you’ve borrowed.
Lenders will generally ask for a minimum deposit of 10% to 20% but others may lend to you if a family member pays the deposit, signs as guarantor or buys the property with you as a co-owner.
Aiming for a deposit of 20% or more of the purchase price, plus enough to cover added costs, is a good goal.
First Home Owner Grants
You may be eligible for a grants for first home owners. We can make that enquiry for you.
Government fees
Stamp duty is a land/property transfer tax applied by all Australian state and territory governments.
It is one of the most significant upfront costs you’ll have to pay and it can vary greatly depending on where your property is located.
Transfer fees also apply.
We can calculate the stamp duty payable on your purchase and, if you’re a
first-home buyer, help you with the applying for the stamp duty concession.
Depending on your personal circumstances, the value of the property and the type of property, you may be exempt from paying stamp duty. We can help you with those enquiries.
Loan application
This is also referred to as an establishment, up-front, start-up and set-up fee. It is a one-off payment to your lender when your loan commences. Fees can vary
depending on your provider and will cover things such as credit checks, property appraisals and basic admin.
Mortgage insurance
When applying for a loan, you may also have to pay lender’s mortgage insurance which is a type of insurance that protects the lender from borrowers who can’t repay the loan. If you have a deposit equal to or more than 20% of a property’s purchase price, generally you won’t be asked to pay this insurance.
Building, pest and strata inspection reports
These inspections will alert you to structural problems or defects that may not be visible to the eye such as asbestos, termites, electrical, ventilation and plumbing faults.
A strata report, if you’re buying a townhouse or apartment, can tell you whether the property is well run, well maintained and adequately financed.
Moving costs
If you plan on moving into the property rather than renting it out, moving costs can vary depending on distance, if you rent a van, ask your mates to help or hire a professional removalist.
Loan repayments
You need to pay back what you’ve borrowed and some loan providers may have facilities to help you keep charges down or access money you’ve repaid if you need it.
You may also want to consider using an offset account if your lender offers
this. It is a transaction account linked to a home loan to help reduce the interest payable against your outstanding loan balance.
How much you pay back and how often you make repayments will affect how long it takes to pay off your home loan.
Interest charges
You’ll pay interest on the money you borrow so it’s a good idea to compare what different lenders can offer and to check out the comparison rate.
You can generally choose a fixed or variable rate, or a combination of the two.
Ongoing expenses
- Strata fees
- Council rates
- Utility costs
- Building and contents insurance
Legal fees and Further Assistance
When buying property, engaging a conveyancing solicitor that specialises in conveyancing is a good idea. We will prepare the documentation and
conduct the settlement process.
Phone: 1300 734 737 or email frontoffice@courtlegal.com.au for further information or to arrange an obligation free consultation.
Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides general information and does not provide legal advice. If you have a legal issue, you should contact a lawyer before making a decision about what to do or applying to a court.