Do apartments present a better opportunity for homebuyers?

The permanent security of a home is something we all strive for.
But with the property market being the way it is - where housing costs are more than many young Australians might be able to afford - perhaps a unit is the way to go.
In a way this type of smaller property can be more accessible because they tend to be cheaper. It then stands to reason that your home loan might be for a lesser amount than with a standard house, and that’s a good thing. Moreover, with a smaller amount taken out, it can spell a shorter repayment period for your loan too.
With many different apartment floorplans available in 2023, unit spaces are not limited to the lifestyle of a university student or young couple anymore. In fact, some units are quite large and accommodate families.
So on that note, you might be wondering what other benefits can come from buying a unit. Let’s explore some features in brief.
The pros of buying an apartment

Firstly, there’s a convenience that comes with purchasing an apartment that you might not find in a house.
Here are some examples of that convenience:
Amenities. Gym, pool, outdoor barbeque, playground - these are just some of the niceties that may be included in an apartment complex.
Location. If there’s a suburb you’d like to live in but the cost of a house is out of your price range, a unit can be an excellent alternative in a handy location.
Lower maintenance costs. The building management and/or strata will also take care of general repairs and upkeep of the common areas. Whereas, in a house, it will be your responsibility to front these costs, which are typically higher.
Features. Some units have a different layout to others, with only a small gap in price. It can be noted then that as an apartment costs less, you might have a little more freedom in choosing the design you want in your home. So don’t rule out that balcony with an amazing view just yet.
If you think purchasing an apartment might be the better move for you, you probably want to know a bit more about home loans first.
Let’s have a look.
Getting a home loan for an apartment

As a home loan is a big financial commitment, even with a unit, there are many features to think about when obtaining one. Here are a few to get you started:
- Interest rates
One option is a variable interest rate, where the interest you pay can change over the course of your loan. It can sometimes be higher or lower than the official interest rate set by the Reserve Bank.
Meanwhile a fixed interest rate means that you would be paying a fixed amount of interest for a period of time. This can be good if you want to know the exact percentage you’ll be paying each time.
The amount of interest you will pay on either will depend on your home loan product and how that given provider sets its rates based on the broader cash rate.
- Extra repayments
Some providers offer free extra repayments. So on top of the usual payments you make, you might also like to add more. A little can go a long way in reducing your loan term and ultimately the amount of interest you end up paying on top.
- Fees
There can be various fees attached to a home loan, such as those that are ongoing or upfront. However, the types of fees and the amount you might be required to pay is subject to the home loan option that you choose.
So as the potential costs involved can vary, it’s important to consider your situation to best weigh up your options.
Choose the right home loan for you
At Mozo, our team of experts have sourced the top home loan products out there. If you don’t know where to start, why not compare some of the best available home loan rates below!
-
Promoted
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2025
Unloan Variable Home Loan
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 20% min deposit
- Redraw available
- Interest rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.65
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,915
- RATE CUT NOW LIVE!
- The first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply)
- No application or banking fees
- interest rate
-
5.74% p.a. (5.65% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- 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
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Promoted
Basic Home Loan
- Fixed rate
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 30% min deposit
- Redraw available
- Interest rate
-
5.55
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.85
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,855
- No ongoing fees
- Free redraw from your loan using Macquarie Online.
- No application or account management fees
- interest rate
-
1 year - 5.69% p.a. (5.89% p.a. comparison rate)
2 years - 5.55% p.a. (5.85% p.a. comparison rate)
3 years - 5.55% p.a. (5.82% p.a. comparison rate)
4 years - 5.69% p.a. (5.84% p.a. comparison rate)
5 years - 5.69% p.a. (5.83% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.89% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$400.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
70.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$10,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Fixed
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Macquarie home loans
Go to site -
Promoted
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
- Interest rate
-
5.79
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.83
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,931
- RATE CUT NOW LIVE!
- No monthly or ongoing fees
- Option to add an offset for 0.10% p.a.
- interest rate
-
5.79% p.a. (5.83% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$530
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$0.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
90.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$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
-
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
-
Switch & Save One Year Fixed Home Loan
- Fixed rate
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Offset available
- Redraw available
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 1 year
- Comparison rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
- No penalty for early payout
- No penalty for making additional payments
- 100% Savings Offset facility
- interest rate
-
1 year - 5.54% p.a. (5.74% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.64% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$1,555
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$300.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
-
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$900,000
- type of mortgage
-
Fixed
- 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
-
no
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Transport Mutual Credit Union home loans
Go to site -
Basic Home Loan
- Fixed rate
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 30% min deposit
- Redraw available
- Interest rate
-
5.55
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.85
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,855
- No ongoing fees
- Free redraw from your loan using Macquarie Online.
- No application or account management fees
- interest rate
-
1 year - 5.69% p.a. (5.89% p.a. comparison rate)
2 years - 5.55% p.a. (5.85% p.a. comparison rate)
3 years - 5.55% p.a. (5.82% p.a. comparison rate)
4 years - 5.69% p.a. (5.84% p.a. comparison rate)
5 years - 5.69% p.a. (5.83% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.89% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$400.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
70.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$10,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Fixed
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Macquarie home loans
Go to site -
Switch and Save Home Loan
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Offset available
- Redraw available
- Interest rate
-
5.64
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.75
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,883
- No penalty for early payout
- No penalty for making additional payments
- 100% Savings Offset facility
- interest rate
-
5.64% p.a. (5.75% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$1,555
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$300.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
-
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$900,000
- 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
-
$100.00
- Offset account
-
yes
- Split account
-
no
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Transport Mutual Credit Union home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Home Loan
- Fixed rate
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 5% min deposit
- Redraw available
- Cashback
- Interest rate
-
5.69
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.00
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,899
- Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)
- Up to 12 months repayments in advance without penalties
- Split loan available
- interest rate
-
1 year - 6.19% p.a. (6.08% p.a. comparison rate)
2 years - 5.69% p.a. (6.00% p.a. comparison rate)
3 years - 5.69% p.a. (5.98% p.a. comparison rate)
4 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.03% p.a. comparison rate)
5 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.03% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.99% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$799
- Ongoing fees
-
$6.00 monthly
- Discharge Fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
95.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$5,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Fixed
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to 1 year in advance
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$500.00
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
Monthly fee only applies to fixed period of loan.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
$4,000 cashback for loans $750,000 and above with a maximum LVR of 80%, settled within 90 days of application for refinancers or 180 for purchase loans. $3,000 for loans between $500k and $749k, $2,000 for loans between $250k and $499k.
Read reviews and learn more about IMB 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
- Interest rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.65
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,915
- RATE CUT NOW LIVE!
- The first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply)
- No application or banking fees
- interest rate
-
5.74% p.a. (5.65% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- 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
Simple Home Loan Variable
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 40% min deposit
- Redraw available
- Interest rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,915
- No application, ongoing or monthly fees
- Make additional repayments at any time
- Access your money via internet banking at any time
- interest rate
-
5.74% p.a. (5.74% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$175.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$3,500,000
- 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
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
Valuation and legal fees covered up to $1,000. Anything above this charged at cost.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about First Option Bank home loans
Go to site -
OMG Home Loan
- Owner occupier
- Principal & Interest
- 40% min deposit
- Redraw available
- Interest rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.77
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,915
- No ongoing annual fees
- Pre-approval valid for 3 months
- interest rate
-
5.74% p.a. (5.77% p.a. comparison rate)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$300
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$395.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$20,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$5,000,000
- 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
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about BCU Bank home loans
Go to site
Your selected home loans
* 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.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.