Compare mortgages that require 5% deposits and buy your property sooner.
A low deposit home loan lets you borrow more than 80% of a property's value. This means you can save a 5-10% deposit and borrow the rest. It's a popular option for borrowers looking to buy their first home.
This page has over 20 low deposit home loans to compare and useful information on all the ways you can get these loans.
HSBC Home Value Loan Offer
HSBC Home Value Loan - (Owner Occupier P&I)
variable rate
comparison rate
HSBC Home Value Loan Offer
HSBC Home Value Loan - (Owner Occupier P&I) offers a low interest rate loan with no ongoing fees. Plus you can make extra repayments and free redraw online. Available with just a 10% deposit.
- Interest rate of 3.59% p.a.
- Comparison rate of 3.61% p.a.
- Application fee of $0
- Maximum LVR: 90%
- Minimum borrowing: $50,000
- Max borrowing: $7,500,000
Compare mortgages with low deposit options
Aussie Home Loans is both a lender and a mortgage broker, and offers a range of services.
- FREE Suburb and Property Report with every appointment.
- Access 3,000+ loans from over 20 lenders.
- Get expert help with your loan application, including paperwork and eligibility.
- Over 1000 brokers who are able to help you in your local area.
The Adviser’s number 1 placed mortgage broker 5 years running (2013-2017)
How small can my deposit be?
The standard deposit size for most lenders is 20% of the property's value. In other words, borrowers need a loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of 80%. Low deposit loans come with an LVR of 90 or 95%. This means you can potentially get a mortgage with just a 5% deposit.
If you're buying an $800,000 property, a 20% deposit is $160,000. A 5% deposit is just $40,000. That's a huge difference.
There must be a catch, right?
There is. If you're borrowing more than 80% of a property's value you will have to pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) as well. Depending on how much you're borrowing this can be a significant cost, ranging from several thousand dollars up to ten or even twenty thousand dollars.
You can capitalise your LMI, meaning you can add this cost into your borrowing amount. But this can affect how much you can borrow. Learn more about LMI and how if affects low deposit loans.
The low deposit trap: Be sure you have cash to cover all your costs
Saving a 5% deposit is much easier than saving a 20% deposit. But you need to make sure you have money saved up to cover all your other home buying costs. This includes LMI, stamp duty, government fees, conveyancing costs and upfront lender's fees.
Don't forget to add in things like legal fees, conveyancing fees and transfer fees to your total. Find out the true cost of buying a property here.
Is it harder to get approved for a low deposit home loan?
While the banks might advertise that you can borrow up to 95% of the purchase price of your new home, it's important to realise that lending criteria still apply:
- Good credit history. In order to get your loan approved at a high LVR like 95%, you will need to have a clean credit history. This means you should have no defaults showing on your credit report for missed payments on other bills.
- Good employment history. You will also need to demonstrate that you have a stable employment history. This means showing that you've been in the same job for at least 6-12 months, or been working within the same industry in a similar role.
- Genuine savings. If you can show where your 5% savings amount came from, this will go in your favour. For example, showing your savings account statements with regular deposits going into it will be viewed favourably.
- Good asset position. The credit assessor will view your existing assets and consider them in terms of whether you're doing well based on your age and income. For example, if you're a first home buyer and you have 5% savings and a car, this may be considered a positive asset position for your age and income.
- Controlled debts. If you submit your home loan application and it shows that you have several credit cards, a car loan, and a personal loan all outstanding, it's likely your loan will be declined. Consolidate your debts and pay off the most urgent ones. Credit card debt is a bigger red flag for a lender than an HECS student debt, for example.
Get a free credit score check before you apply for a home loan
Can I still get a no deposit home loan?
True no deposit mortgages are largely a thing of the past. Most banks won't throw 100% of a property's value at you. But there are some exceptions to this rule. These exceptions could be very useful for borrowers who are having trouble saving a deposit.
- Gifted deposit. If you have generous parents with some cash in the bank, they can give you part of your deposit as a gift. If you're able to reduce your loan amount so you're only borrowing 90% of the purchase price, some banks won't ask you to prove that you have genuine savings. This means mum and dad need to come up with 10% of the purchase price and offer it to you as a gift. Learn more about using parental gifts as deposits.
- Guarantee from parents. If your parents own their home and they are happy to act as guarantors on your mortgage, you could borrow 100% of the purchase price of your new home without having any savings. Essentially, the bank takes a guarantee from your parents that is secured by the equity they have in their own property. Just be absolutely sure that you and your parents understand all the implications of guarantorship before you enter into this type of agreement.
- Existing property. If you already have equity in your family home, you may be able to use this to secure the purchase for your next property. Effectively, this lets you borrow 100% of the purchase price of your new property without having any savings.
Read the in-depth guide to borrowing 100%
Can I take out a personal loan for a deposit?
It's possible to take out a personal loan and use that as part of your deposit. For most people it's probably not a good idea. And the lender will still need to see 5-10% in genuine savings.
Using a personal loan for a deposit is a risky idea because these loans have much higher interest rates. You'll have to repay this loan while making mortgage repayments on top. And taking on another debt is a red flag for lenders and may make it harder to get approved.
If you're on a high income and want to buy a home in a hurry this strategy might be worth it. But for most people it's far from wise.
Can I use my super as a deposit?
There are two possible ways to use your super to buy property.
Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSF)
You cannot use money from a SMSF to buy a home. But you can use it to buy an investment property. This can be a good option for people looking to generate income and capital through an investment property but it doesn't help people looking to buy their own home with a low deposit.
First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)
First home buyers are able take out some of the extra money they've placed in their super funds to use for a house deposit. You can unlock up to $15,000 per financial year to a total of $30,000 maximum and put it toward your deposit.
There are also tax benefits to doing this, as super contributions are generally taxed at a lower rate.
Image: Shutterstock
looking to buy a country farmlet between5 to 10 acres with a 4bed dwelling and much shedding , property located in country Victoria and I only have 5% for deposit. Could you direct me to institutions that could provide finance just under $300.000
Hi Santo,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
The page we are on offers lenders that you could reach out to specific to the loan you are requesting but for the property you are looking for you may want to reach out to a real estate specialist who can further assist you in locating that type of property. You may also reach out to a mortgage broker who can assist you in providing lender options. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
I own my unit (will rent the unit at $600 a week) and a 3-bed house rented for $360 (all fully paid). I have part pension. I would like to buy a unit near my children. Can I get a loan on my properties, rent, and pension to more than enough to pay for a mortgage?
Which lender should I approach?
Thank you.
Hi Maria,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
Since you own a few properties, you can opt for a reverse mortgage. This type of loan allows you to borrow equity from your property and spend it on a new home. If this interests you, please go to this page. On that page, you will be able to see a table that lists some of your options. You can use the table to compare your options based on interest rate, application fees, and ongoing fees, to name a few.
Alternatively, you can also check this page to learn more about how to get a home loan while you are on a pension. On that page, you will learn more about the considerations when applying for a home loan on a pension, what types of home loans might be available to pensioners, and how to compare home loans, to name a few.
Finally, please speak to a mortgage broker. They have the necessary knowledge and experience to help you explore your options. They will also take into consideration your whole situation before giving advice.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
We have almost paid off our home in SE Brisbane (have about $10,000 to go). We are both aged pensioners with no savings as such. We are considering moving to a new place but want to build rather than buy a pre-existing home, as I did 30 years ago. One idea I had was to rent out our existing house and use the rent to pay off the new one if the bank will let us and taking into account what Centrelink says about it. Otherwise we would have to juggle contracts around selling and moving. Can we get a loan to buy a new place before our old one is sold if we go that way? I think they used to be called Bridging Loans?
Hi David,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
Interesting thoughts and questions you got there, David. As for now, if you are planning to get a loan or what you mentioned, bridging loan, one of the main criteria lenders will look at is your source of income. There are not a lot of lenders who lend money to aged pensioners. However, there are still who can help. If you want to know how to get a home loan while on aged pension, please check this guide.
In that guide, how to get a home loan if you’re a pensioner, the considerations when applying for a home loan on a pension, types of home loans might be available to pensioners, and other related topics.
Now, it is true that you can rent out your existing property and the money you earn from it can also be considered by the lender and will increase your chance of getting approved.
Regarding your last question, a bridging loan can be a good option while you wait for your property to be sold. You can learn more about that here. But then again, since your main source of income is coming from Centrelink, you might have limited options. However, you can still give it a try. On the page I just gave you, there are lenders listed that you can compare based on interest rate, application fee, and monthly payment, to name a few.
Please make sure that you’ve read the relevant T&Cs or PDS of the loan products before making a decision. Moreover, check the eligibility requirements as well and consider whether the product is right for you.
Finally, please consider speaking to a mortgage broker. They have the right knowledge and experience to help you explore available 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
I am a Pensioner and have maintained my Bankwest homeloan for 12 years. I now am finding I would like to refinance with a lower interest and am wondering about my chances? I still owe 127,000 and really want to be able to reduce the payments that I make now of nearly $400.00 per month. this doesn’t allow for me to have much left for living!! Hope you can help…. Beverly
Hi Beverly,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
The page we are on offers an array of lenders that could assist you in refinancing your loan. You may have a side by side comparison done by clicking the “Compare” button up to 4 lenders to see which is the best choice for you. Kindly review and compare your options on the table displaying the available providers. Once you have chosen a particular provider, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with the application or get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You may also check on the calculator available on the page to see how much your monthly repayment would be based on the figures you enter. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
can I still get a loan if im on a pension
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for getting in touch! You can apply for a home loan while on pension and you can find providers who may consider your application on this page. It’s helpful to know that given your income will come from pension might limit your success in getting a home loan. As our page further explains – it is mainly because the pension is lower than the normal income of other applicants who are applying and the income level required. If you have assets and believe you can meet lending requirements, it might be a good idea to discuss your position in person with your financial provider or mortgage broker, as applying online may be difficult if you can’t demonstrate your capacity to repay the loan.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Nikki
Hi there,
My husband and I have been struggling to save enough deposit for our first home as we pay the rent $460/wk. My husband works only while I look after our 3 and 5 years old boys. Couple of banks say we can just only borrow around low 300k for buying a house.
Is there any better way for us to buy our first home as soon as possible? thanks :)
Kind regarts
Jonelle
Hi Jonelle,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
Apart from checking on lenders who can assist you in purchasing your first home, you may want to check your eligibility for a First Home Owners Grant. Clicking this link will give you a short quiz that you can take to check your eligibility. It also defines the eligibility requirement state by state. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
I want to buy a home at Douglas point as owner-occupier, I am able to come up with the 5% deposit and the money to cover the fees and stamp duty through the different avenues in which I have money tied up, eg: shares, cars, savings. But need to find a lender who will do the best mortgage deal, for the area as a couple banks in my area say the postcode is in a high risk area and need 20%.
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I’m sorry to hear that a few banks have rejected your application.
I would advise that you continue comparing your options using our table above. The lenders on our table provide mortgages with low downpayment options. You can then click on the “Go to site” green button to discuss with them your situation and confirm if they can provide you with your needed loan.
Please make sure that you’ve read the relevant T&Cs or PDS of the loan products before making a decision. Moreover, check the eligibility requirements as well and consider whether the product is right for you.
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 & I have purchased a block about 7 months ago and we want to build a house on it but we are not entitled to the first home owners grant and have very little as a deposit what is the best way to go about it thanks
Hi Donna,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
It is worth noting that most home construction loan lenders will want at least 20% of the total cost put down as a deposit. This is because your lot is not of great value yet without a building on it.
As this might be the case, it would still be worth checking out our list of home construction loan lenders on this page. On that page, you will see a table that allows you to conveniently compare your options. The table includes interest rates, ongoing fees, and monthly payments, to name a few. Once you find the right one for you, click on the “Enquire now” green button to learn more.
The page that I just shared with you also includes guides and tips on finding the right construction loan for you. So, it is really worth reviewing.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Hello
I have $14000 saved. Would this some how be enough to get a mortgage on an existing home
If so what sort of amount of loan value could be attained with annual income of 150k. Just roughly
Thanks
G
Hi Gavin,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
Lenders use different important criteria such as your income, outstanding debt level and credit history to determine your eligibility for a home loan. I suggest that you answer all the info asked on this calculator to see the estimated amount you can borrow. It is also a good idea to seek professional help from mortgage brokers regarding your home loan enquiry.
I hope this helps. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Is Defence bank offering a good deal on their home loans?
Hi Chris,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
While we are not allowed to provide specific recommendations, let me give you general information regarding home loan deals from Defence Bank.
Defence Bank offers several different home loan options for its customers that include competitive interest rates and flexible payment options. Several loans are available just for Australian Defence Force members, which allows them to use the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) subsidies.
Some of the home loans offered by Defence Bank are:
– DHOAS saver home loan
– DHOAS advantage home loan
– DHOAS construction home loan
– Flexi saver home loan
– Flexi choice home loan
– Smart mover home loan
– Interest-only construction home loan
– Basic variable home loan
You may go through the details of these loans on this page.
I hope this helps.
Have a great day!
Cheers,
Jeni