Buy a home with more clarity.
Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions you can make. Understand affordability, mortgages, buying costs, property checks and the key stages before you commit.
A property purchase starts long before you get the keys.
From working out your budget to choosing a property, arranging a mortgage and completing the legal process, there are several stages to buying a home.
Understanding each stage can help you compare your options, prepare for additional costs and make more informed decisions.
From first budget check to moving day.
The exact journey can vary depending on your circumstances, but most property purchases follow a series of important stages.
Work Out Your Budget
Consider your income, deposit, existing commitments and additional costs before deciding your property budget.
Explore Mortgage Options
Understand how much you may be able to borrow and compare mortgage terms, rates and repayment structures.
Find The Right Property
Compare properties based on location, price, condition, running costs and how well they fit your plans.
Make An Offer
Decide what offer to make after considering the property, local market and your overall budget.
Legal & Property Checks
Your solicitor or conveyancer handles legal work while searches and surveys can identify important issues.
Mortgage & Completion
Your mortgage is finalised and the legal process progresses towards exchange and completion.
Complete The Purchase
Completion takes place once the required legal and financial steps have been completed.
Move Into Your Home
After completion, you can collect the keys and begin the next stage of owning and managing your property.
The purchase price is only part of the cost.
A realistic buying budget should consider more than the amount agreed with the seller. Some costs are upfront, while others can arise during the mortgage and legal process.
Deposit
Your deposit can affect the amount you need to borrow and your loan-to-value position.
Stamp Duty
Depending on the property and your circumstances, Stamp Duty Land Tax may form part of your costs.
Legal & Conveyancing Fees
A solicitor or licensed conveyancer will normally handle the legal side of your purchase.
Survey & Valuation
Depending on your mortgage and survey choice, additional property inspection costs may apply.
Different buyers need different strategies.
Your priorities can change depending on whether you are buying your first home, moving to a larger property or purchasing an additional property.
First-Time Buyers
Understand deposits, mortgage affordability, buying costs and the key steps involved in purchasing your first home.
Explore First-Time Buying →
Moving Home
Plan your next move by considering your existing property, new mortgage, moving costs and the financial decisions involved.
Explore Moving Home →
Additional Property
Explore tax, financing, affordability and planning considerations that can come with buying another property.
Explore Additional Property →Get your finances ready before viewing properties.
Knowing your financial position early can help you focus your search on properties that are realistically within reach.
Look beyond the photos and asking price.
A property can look attractive online while still having practical issues that affect its suitability or future costs.
Explore the tools that can help you plan your purchase.
Use GrowthSmartly calculators and guides to understand different parts of the property-buying decision.
Mortgage Affordability Calculator
Estimate how much you may be able to borrow based on your income and financial position.
Check Affordability →Mortgage Calculator
Explore potential monthly mortgage payments and understand how borrowing terms can affect repayments.
Calculate Mortgage →Loan-to-Value Calculator
Calculate your property's loan-to-value ratio and understand how your deposit affects your borrowing position.
Calculate LTV →Stamp Duty Calculator
Estimate potential Stamp Duty costs when purchasing a property based on the purchase price and buyer circumstances.
Calculate Stamp Duty →Mortgage Affordability Guide
Learn about factors that can influence mortgage affordability before you start your property search.
Read The Guide →Real Estate Resources
Explore more property guides covering mortgages, buying, ownership and other real-estate decisions.
Explore Real Estate →More ideas for smarter property decisions.
Explore the latest GrowthSmartly articles covering mortgages, property costs, buying decisions and personal finance.
Common questions about buying a home.
Practical answers to some of the questions buyers often consider before making a property purchase.
Ready to understand your buying position?
Start with affordability, explore your mortgage options and understand the costs before moving forward.