These home loans offer low costs, coupled with a host of features, giving the best overall value.
7+
Great
These home loans may have slightly higher interest rates or fewer features but overall, a competitive offering.
5+
Standard
Usually the home loans would offer above average rates. They may still include some competitive features.
0+
Basic
Higher costs and/or fewer features.
Keystart is a lender based in Western Australia which offers low deposit home loan options to help eligible individuals and families own homes sooner. Borrowers can buy a home with as little as a 2% deposit without lender's mortgage insurance (LMI), as long as they will live in the home.
Interest rates are higher than standard bank loans. This is because of the added risk to the lender when you borrow with such a low deposit. Typically with home loans, the more of a deposit you have the lower interest rates you can get.
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How we picked these
Keystart loan features
Location: Available to WA residents only
Deposit: From as low as 2% (or $2,000, whichever is higher)
LMI: Lender's Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is not required
Eligibility: First home buyers, low-to-moderate income, and you must live in the home you buy
Flexibility: Home loan repayments can be made weekly, fortnightly or monthly
Shared ownership option: You can choose to co-own your property with WA's Housing Association and then buy that share later
Who is Keystart best for?
First home buyers
Buyers in Western Australia
Borrowers not eligible for standard bank loans
Borrowers looking for shared ownership to lower costs
What products does Keystart offer?
Low deposit home loan
his home loan allows borrowers to purchase property with just a 2% deposit and no lender's mortgage insurance.
To take out this loan borrowers in metro and regional areas must earn a maximum of $148,000 for solo borrowers and a combined income of no more than $218,000 for couples/families. In the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, solo borrowers must earn no more than $225,000 and couples/families must earn no more than $285,000.
Shared ownership home loan
With this home loan you'll co-own a share of the property with WA's Housing Authority. You can still buy with as little as a 2% deposit and no LMI.
Solo borrowers must earn an income of less than $123,000, dual applicants and families must earn less than a combined income of $189,000.
Aboriginal home loan
Keystart has a dedicated Aboriginal home ownership team, helping borrowers take out either a full ownership loan or a shared ownership loan. You can use a deposit of 2% or $2000 (whichever is higher) and there's no lender's mortgage insurance.
Income limits are the same as the low deposit home loan. Borrowers in metro and regional areas must earn a maximum of $148,000 for solo borrowers and a combined income of no more than $218,000 for couples/families. In the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, solo borrowers must earn no more than $225,000 and couples/families must earn no more than $285,000.
Urban Connect home loan
This home loan is for borrowers wanting to buy medium and high-density apartments in the inner metro area. As with Keystart's other loans, borrowers can use a deposit as low as 2% and no LMI.
Solo borrowers must earn no more than $180,000, while couples/families must earn no more than $200,000.
The following information is general in nature and applies to most home loans. There may be specific criteria that apply for this lender.
Age. You must be over 18 years of age.
Residency. You should be a resident of Australia.
Employment. You should have a regular source of income.
Documents required
When you apply for a mortgage with Keystart you are required to provide certain information so make sure you have all your documents ready before you apply. The documents you will be expected to provide are:
📄 Property details. You can start a loan enquiry before you've bought a property. But to complete an application you need the address of the property and a signed contract of sale.
📄 Identification documents. You will need identification such as a driver's licence, passport or birth certificate.
📄 Proof of income documents. Recent payslips can establish your income.
📄 Asset and liability documents. You need to provide documents showing your current assets (savings accounts, investments) and liabilities (your outstanding debt).
Mortgage brokers. Still confused? Get free, expert guidance from a qualified mortgage broker.
More questions about Keystart
Shared ownership is where the government (in this case, WA's Housing Authority) puts forward cash to help you reach a 20% deposit. While you, the borrower, might only use a 2% deposit, the government will 'top up' the remaining 18% (sometimes more) to help you get a loan. The government would then essentially own that part of that house. As you pay off the loan and earn more and more equity in the house, you might decide to buy back the part owned by the government.
The federal government has also announced a shared ownership scheme called 'Help to Buy'.
Keystart can be helpful to get borrowers into the property market, but ideally borrowers would eventually move onto more competitive rate loans.
Once you've built up at least 20% equity in your home you can refinance to a standard bank or lender. Not only would you get more competitive rates but you might be able to take advantage of features like an offset account.
You can start by completing a mortgage discharge request form from Keystart and then Keystart will help you as you begin the application process with another lender.
If you're on a shared ownership scheme, you'll take on the government's share in the new loan.
If you are eligible for a government grant, Keystart may allow you to use that towards your 2% deposit.
Rebecca Pike is Finder’s money editor, with over 7 years of experience in mortgages and personal finance. A frequent TV and radio commentator, she frequently appears on Sunrise and 7News, Today and 9News, as well as Sky News, Channel 10 and across radio and print. Rebecca previously served as Editor of Mortgage Professional Australia. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism as well as ASIC-recognised certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, which comply with ASIC guidelines.
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