01
Separate upfront, ongoing and moving costs
List your deposit and transaction costs separately from the expenses of owning the home. Ask for written estimates of relevant fees and insurance, then include maintenance and household bills in your ongoing plan.
Keep a separate list for moving, furniture and any work you expect to do. This helps you avoid spending the same savings twice.
02
Use a calculator to ask better questions
Try the monthly payment tool with example inputs, then compare a longer or shorter tenure. The estimate is a starting point; bank eligibility and offered terms need confirmation.
Write down what changed and which estimate felt manageable alongside your existing commitments. Take those questions to a bank rather than treating a calculator result as an approval.
03
Get the details before deciding
Ask the bank to explain its proposed repayment terms and documentation. Ask the developer or seller which amounts are included in the quoted price and which are separate. Keep those answers with your shortlist.
You do not need to solve every detail in one browsing session. The useful outcome is a clearer list of costs and questions to confirm.
Further reading
Use these references to prepare your questions, then confirm the details for your own purchase.
Put it into practice
Your next-step checklist.
0 of 4 complete
Your checklist progress stays on this browser.
This is an example guide with general preparation prompts. For a particular home or transaction, confirm details with the relevant developer, seller, bank or conveyancing lawyer.
