19/02/2021
Saving for a deposit can seem daunting at first, but it doesnât have to be.
Here are a number of things to consider to get you started and on track for home ownership sooner than you think.
đ¸Analyse your current financial situation
Think of it as your first brick on the foundation! Understanding your financial situation will get you in a good place to start setting your budget. Scrutinising your current financial situation should include things like current assets, income, any debts and living expenses. Now youâre able to see how much youâre able to save each month to put away for a deposit.
đ¸Know how much you can borrow
Having an idea of the amount you can borrow â which is determined by your current financial situation â can help you figure out how much youâll need to save. There are a number of borrowing calculators out there that can help give you a ballpark figure, but they donât confirm the size of repayments youâll be able to make after you meet your other living expenses and financial commitments.
đ¸Know how much you need to save
Once you have an idea of your borrowing capacity, you should also consider additional fees and associated costs when purchasing a property. These include:
đLenders mortgage insurance
đOther upfront costs are associated with buying a home
đYour legal fees
đThe building fees
đHow much will stamp duty set you back
đMoving costs
đAnd donât forget that all-important insurance!
đ¸How long will you be saving for?
So, if you know how much you can save per month and how much you can borrow, you can now figure out roughly how long itâs going to take to save that deposit!
Check out this handy savings goal calculator to work out: https://moneysmart.gov.au/saving/savings-goals-calculator
How long it will take to reach your savings goals
Steps to take to put your plan into action.
When youâre close to your goals, seek pre-approval, which means lender has agreed in principle, to provide finance towards the purchase of a home without committing to final approval.
Consider if youâre eligible for any government grants
If youâre a first home buyer, you may qualify for the following:
đFirst homeowner grant
đFirst home super saver scheme
đFirst home loan deposit scheme
Tips for saving your deposit
đ¸Cutting down on unnecessary spending
đ¸Find ways to generate a second income (selling unwanted goods, getting yourself a side hustle)
đ¸Review what youâre spending regarding bills. Make sure you have the best deal when it comes to utility đ¸providers
đ¸Defer any big purchases⌠maybe itâs not time for that BMW!
One of the easiest ways to get the ball rolling with your home loan deposit is to reach out to your mortgage broker. Weâre here to help you with anything you need, and with years of experience, we will be able to get you on the road to home ownership in no time.