Realty bites: First home buyers face $5K in hidden fees
First home buyers are facing significant expenses even before they receive their keys, according to a new report from Finder.
Finder's First Home Buyer Report 2025 – based on a survey of 1,006 first home buyers in Australia – revealed 2 in 5 (40%) had to pay for unexpected fees when buying a home.
From stamp duty to lender's mortgage insurance to conveyancing fees, the average first-time buyer had to fork out $5,290 in unforeseen costs.
Graham Cooke, head of consumer research at Finder, said the total costs of buying a property for the first time can be incredibly overwhelming.
"Many are stretched to breaking point and hidden costs can quickly create a financial nightmare.
"We're seeing people drain their savings just to get over the line, which leaves no buffer for hidden fees."
The report found 1 in 3 (33%) who bought their home in the past 12 months have less than $10,000 remaining in savings.
A whopping 14% of Australians have no savings left whatsoever.
Cooke said the deposit is only the beginning.
"Too often, first home buyers focus solely on the deposit and forget about the thousands in upfront extras.
"Stamp duty, solicitor fees, insurances, building and pest inspections – they all add up fast. If you don't factor them in, you'll be scrambling."
Cooke urged prospective buyers to take the time to understand all the costs involved in a property purchase.
"When you're fully informed, unexpected expenses become expected – and nothing takes you by surprise."
In the purchase process, did you pay any fees that you did not expect or were not informed about?
| Yes | 40% |
| No | 60% |
| Source: Finder's First Home Buyer Report of 1,006 first home buyers, May 2025 |  |
How much money did you have left in your savings (or offset account) after buying your first home?
| $0 | 14% |
| $1–$999 | 2% |
| $1,000–$9,999 | 17% |
| $10,000+ | 67% |
| Source: Finder's First Home Buyer Report of 1,006 first home buyers, 252 of whom have bought their first home in the last 12 months, May 2025 | |
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