Buying Your First Home

Step 1: Work out your budget

How much can I borrow and afford? 

Every home buying journey begins with a clear budget in mind. Use our simple tools to help you work out how much you can borrow, what your repayments might be and work out your budget. 

Should I get a conditional approval?

Obtaining a conditional approval is a great way of getting an actual estimate as to how much you can borrow and finding out whether you will be approved for a loan. It is also a great way of showing real estate agents that you are a serious buyer and can speed up the finance application process once you have signed the contract of sale.

Chat to us about obtaining a conditional approval at BOQ. We will assess your income and financial obligations and provide conditional confirmation as to how much you can borrow. This is valid for up to 3 months but can also be renewed.

How much deposit do I need?

The minimum, home loan deposit you should have is at least 5% of the purchase price of the property. However, Lenders Mortgage Insurance will apply if your deposit is less than 20%, which is a one-off fee that covers us against loss if you default on your repayments. This fee is added to your loan amount and allows you to borrow more than 80% of the property value for home loans.

Am I entitled to the first home owners grant? 

Government grants are a great way to receive financial assistance for buying your first home. However, depending on where you buy, your eligibility requirements and amount you may be entitled to varies from state to state. For more information on the first home owners grant, view our blog article here.

What are the costs of buying a home?

In addition to your home loan deposit, ensure you have also budgeted for the upfront costs that come with buying a home, which include:

Step 2: Search for your first home

Step 3: Choose your first home loan

Choosing the right first home loan is just as important as finding the right first home for you. Your home loan needs to have all the features that suit your personal circumstances and those that will help you pay off your home sooner.

Whether you have a clear idea on the home loan you want or you would like to speak to an expert on your options, our home loan experts will recommend the best home loan for your individual circumstances. Our article on different home loan structures provides more information between fixed rate and variable rate loans.

Key home loan features

Our popular home loans for first home buyers

Step 4: Buy your first home

Once you've found your first home and have reached an agreement with the seller, the settlement process begins. On settlement day, your legal and financial representatives will ordinarily meet with the seller's representatives to transfer the ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer. The settlement date is set in the contract of sale, and is typically between 30-90 days. 

To prepare for settlement, you'll likely need to do the following:

1. Contact a solicitor or conveyancer to review your contract of sale
2. Return your signed contract of sale to the seller 
3. Speak to your lender to start your home loan application. Ensure you have all your necessary documentation.
4. Organise a building and pest inspection
5. Organise your final inspection of the property
6. Ensure you have enough funds to cover the property settlement and solicitor’s fees.
7. Collect your keys on settlement day and celebrate your new home

Ready to get started?

We’re here to answer any questions you may have.