The costs involved in buying a house can quickly add up. In fact, it can be a surprise to people who have saved an adequate deposit and think they're ready to buy a home, only to discover there's more to pay!
Recent research from Finder shows that property buyers are paying upwards of $6,000 in upfront costs. The deposit is only one of your upfront costs. Using an upfront cost calculator or spreadsheet, you can work out how much you'll need to pay, from government charges to lender fees, insurance to inspections.
How to estimate your property buying costs
Here's a simple breakdown of what buying a property could cost you. Keep in mind that these are just example figures, not a representation of anyone's actual costs.
Property costs
You buy a property for $600,000. This means your property value is $600,000, which you can divide into the deposit and loan amount.
- Deposit: $60,000
- Loan amount: $540,000
In this scenario, with a 10% deposit you also have to pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI).
Government charges
- Stamp duty: $20,000
- Mortgage registration fee: $150
- Transfer fee: $300
Lender fees and charges
- Loan application fees: $600
- Legal fees: $330
- Lenders mortgage insurance: $11,700
Other buying costs
- Conveyancing: $1,000
- Pest and building inspection: $500
- Moving costs: $1,000
- Settlement adjustments*: $700
Total property buying cost estimate = $36,280
*Settlement adjustments refers to your share of council rates, water rates and strata fees for the current quarter. If you are taking ownership of the property in the middle of a quarter and these costs have already been paid by the previous owner, you'll have to pay an adjusted share of the costs based on settlement day. Your conveyancer will work out these costs.
Download our property buying cost calculator spreadsheet
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What are the upfront fees and costs of buying a house?
Beyond the cost of your deposit and home loan, there are a number of costs associated with buying a home. To get a true idea of how much your property purchase will cost, you'll need to add these up:
Government charges
- Stamp duty. Stamp duty varies from state to state, and most states offer exemptions and concessions for first home buyers.
- Title transfer fees. This fee also varies from state to state, but usually runs between $100 and $140.
- Registration fees. This fee registers your property as the physical security for your home loan. It typically costs between $115 and $140, though in some states it can be close to $200.
You can use our free stamp duty calculator to estimate how much you're likely to pay in stamp duty, title transfer and registration fees.
Fees and other upfront costs
- Lender fees. Lenders also have their own fees, which might include application, legal and settlement fees. Mortgage fees can cost several hundred dollars, so make sure you check the fees when you're comparing mortgages. If you plan to borrow more than 80% of the property’s value, you’ll also have to pay for lenders mortgage insurance which can add thousands to your total cost.
- Inspection fees. Before signing a contract for a home, it's wise to have building and pest inspections carried out. This will ensure the home you're buying is structurally sound and free from damaging pests. These inspections typically cost around $300-400.
- Moving costs. Unless you have a large vehicle and some very understanding friends, you'll likely have to pay a removalist service to help you move home. Depending upon the size of your move, a removalist can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Finder home loans expert Sarah Megginson speaks to The Daily Mail about the hidden costs of home buying – and why first-time home buyers are being blindsided by more than $6,300 in hidden costs as they try to get a foothold on the property ladder.
How much does it cost to buy a home in Australia?
- Sydney $1,128,155
- Melbourne $778,941
- Brisbane $805,593
- Adelaide $727,142
- Perth $687,004
- Hobart $652,645
- Darwin $499,834
- Canberra $840,103
- Combined capitals $842,109
- Combined regional $612,096
- National $765,762
Don't forget about the ongoing costs of buying a property
We've listed the main upfront costs, but there are also ongoing costs that come with owning a home. We might not consider some of these to be upfront costs, because you have to pay them regularly. But some of these costs are payable shortly after you take possession of your home, if not before. So you need to factor them in.
- Home and contents insurance. Lenders expect you to have a home insurance policy in place before settlement. You can usually pay this in instalments or upfront.
- Strata fees. If you're buying a unit or townhouse that is part of a complex, you'll probably be on a strata title. This means paying strata or body corporate fees. These fees are typically charged quarterly, and cost you several thousand dollars a year.
- Council rates. You pay a tax to your local council every quarter, which can run to around $2,000 a year.
More guides on Finder
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How does equity work when buying a second home?
Put your equity to work and make your second home purchase as easy as possible.
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How much do removalists cost?
A guide to finding a removalist, including expected prices depending on the size and nature of your move. Budget your costs and be prepared.
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Buying a house jointly with your parents
Discover all the ins and outs of buying property with your parents in this comprehensive guide.
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Delayed settlement
A delayed settlement can be a frustrating and potentially costly hassle when buying or selling a home. Read our handy guide to find out your rights when this happens.
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What is a sinking fund?
A sinking fund is an essential financial plan for any strata scheme, allowing the owners’ corporation to set aside funds for future capital expenditure.
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How to find a property’s past sale history
Do you want to find out the previous sale details of a property? Here’s how to get all the info you need online and for free.
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What does “under contract” mean?
The words “under contract” don’t necessarily mean that a property sale is a done deal. Find out more about this term here.
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With borrowing power comes great borrowing responsibility
Find out how much home you can actually afford to buy with your salary.
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Which property inspections should you conduct before you buy a home?
What everyone should know about property inspections and why it’s an important task to complete before committing to a purchase.
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Bank valuation vs market value: What is the difference?
A property's market value helps determine how much it could sell for while a bank valuation helps a lender determine its risks, and the two values can be very different.
Ask a question
Hi, I wish to purchase or build our first home for around 700k. Could you please help me to calculate the total cost (stamps, gov fee and all) if the deposit is 5% and 10%?
Thanks
Hi Kush,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
There are many things that need to be addressed when buying or building a house. There are also other factors that may affect your stamp duties, government fees, and other costs.
To help you, first you need to know the cost of buying a property. Next is to speak to a professional mortgage broker to get a more personalised answer and discuss your different options.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Hi, My husband has recently passed away, I am looking at down sizing as I will not be able to manage the house on my own. I would like to build a house with a granny flat and my son & daughter-in-law would rent the house to provide me with income. I am 63 and on a disability pension. I own the house I live in and would be able to own the new property outright, I am needing help in knowing the right way to go about this next stage in my life. Thank you for your time, Anne
Hi Ann,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. Sorry to hear about your husband passing away. I hope all is well with you today.
Regarding your question, there are different steps to buying a house and there are various considerations as well. For this reason, it would be a good idea to review our guide about home buying.
Moreover, it would also be a good idea to speak to a real estate agent.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Hi
I am buying a house for $30000 in a small rural town in Qld and I want to know how much my settlement and stamp duty are going to be so I can factor them into my budget
Please answer asap
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Based on our stamp duty calculators you will pay the following fees:
Stamp duty on property $75.00
Transfer fee $162.90
Mortgage registration fee $168.60
Total fees $406.50
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold