As home loan costs grow in 2024, Aussie buyers look for a boost
The number of people looking for a helping hand when buying a property has increased in 2024, despite more buyers going solo.
New data from CommBank shows that 40% of first home buyers purchased a property alone rather than with a partner, friend or family member in the first six months of 2024, up from 35% 2019.
But despite this jump, data from the bank also found the proportion of first home buyers using government funded guarantees has increased in recent years.
Between FY21 and FY24, use of first home buyer guarantees soared 45%, says CommBank.
Executive general manager home buying at CommBank, Michael Baumann says with property prices rising consistently and the current cost of living pressures, it's not surprising to see first home buyers looking at all of the options available to them.
Such options might be in the form of innovative loan types, loan policy or government grants and incentives.
“CommBank is an active participant in all of the different government guarantee schemes, and our network of lenders are well positioned to help first home buyers navigate the process of buying a home and applying for the relevant grants,” Baumann said.
Rising home costs has seen home loan sizes grow
Across Australia, the national average first home buyer home loan size was $497,692 in FY24, according to CommBank.
The data shows that city-based first home buyers had an average home loan size of $529,642 compared to $403,203 for regional based first home buyers.
While the average loan size for regionally based first time buyers was lower than those buyers based in the cities, their average loan-to-value-ratio (LVR) was higher.
According to CommBank data, the average LVR for regionally based first time buyers was 86 per cent in FY24 - a touch higher than the 82% average LVR for those first-time buyers who purchased in the cities.
“We know that on average, regional properties are cheaper than metro-based dwellings and often sit on larger land lots – which could be attractive especially for some customer segments,” Baumann said.
“Given the greater level of housing affordability in the regions, these areas often provide first home buyers with the perfect opportunity to take their first step into the market.”
If you're looking to buy and are ready to get a home loan, be sure to check out some of the top home loans in the Mozo database shown below.
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Promoted
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2025
Unloan Variable Home Loan
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 20% min deposit
- Redraw available
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.19
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.10
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,742
- The first home loan with an automatic loyalty discount (conditions apply)
- No application or banking fees
- Built by CommBank
- interest rate
-
5.19% p.a. (5.10% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
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$0.00
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$0.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
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80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
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$10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
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$10,000,000
- type of mortgage
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Variable
- Repayment types
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Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
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yes - free
- Redraw facility
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yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
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no
- Split account
-
no
- Other restrictions
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-
- Other benefits
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Rate automatically discounted by 0.01% p.a. every year up to a maximum discount of 0.30% p.a..
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site
-
First Home Buyer Loan
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 5% min deposit
- For first home buyers
- Offset available
- Redraw available
Go to site- Interest rate
-
4.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.04
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,681
- Competitive interest rate – 4.99% p.a. (comparison rate* 5.04% p.a.)
- Offset account to reduce interest and save on repayments
- No establishment or monthly fees, plus valuation fees waived up to $1,000 (limited time)
- interest rate
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4.99% p.a. (5.04% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
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n/a
- Upfront fees
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$0.00
- Ongoing fees
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$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$300.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
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95.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
-
- maximum borrowing amount
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$5,000,000
- type of mortgage
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Variable
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$100.00
- Offset account
-
yes
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
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First home buyers only. Legal, valuation and settlement fees at cost. New rate offer for new business only offer ends on 15th Dec 2025.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about G&C Mutual Bank home loans
Go to site -
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2025
Unloan Variable Home Loan
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 20% min deposit
- Redraw available
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.19
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.10
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,742
- The first home loan with an automatic loyalty discount (conditions apply)
- No application or banking fees
- Built by CommBank
- interest rate
-
5.19% p.a. (5.10% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0.00
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$0.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$10,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Variable
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
no
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
Rate automatically discounted by 0.01% p.a. every year up to a maximum discount of 0.30% p.a..
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site -
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2025
- Investor Home Loan - 2025
Discount Great Rate Home Loan
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 20% min deposit
- Redraw available
- Cashback
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.19
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.20
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,742
- Get up to $3,000 cashback when you apply online (T&Cs apply)
- No paperwork or payslips required (see site for details)
- Low variable rate
- interest rate
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5.19% p.a. (5.20% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$180.00
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
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$300.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
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80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
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$150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
-
- type of mortgage
-
Variable
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$0.00
- Offset account
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no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
Legal fees charged at cost.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
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Apply online cashback offer $2,500 for new loans of $250,000-$499,999 or $3,000 cashback for $500,000 or more for purchases or refinancing, LVR <80%. Up to $2,500 cashback for refinancers or first home buyers for applications made with lenders. T&Cs apply
Read reviews and learn more about Greater Bank home loans
Go to site -
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- First Home Buyer Loan - 2025
Variable Home Loan 90
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 10% min deposit
- Offset available
- Redraw available
Go to site- Interest rate
-
5.29
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.33
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,773
- No monthly or ongoing fees
- Option to add an offset for 0.10% p.a.
- interest rate
-
5.29% p.a. (5.33% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
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n/a
- Upfront fees
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$530.00
- Ongoing fees
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$0.00
- Discharge Fee
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$0.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
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90.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
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$50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$2,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Variable
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$0.00
- Offset account
-
yes
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
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Offset sub-account available for additional +0.10%. $300 discharge fee and $250 discharge documentation fee applicable if loan doesnt go to full term.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about loans.com.au home loans
Go to site
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* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
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