Home buyers are moving to improve their WFH lifestyle, says NAB

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According to a recent survey of 2,000 Australians done by NAB, 42% of recent home buyers moved to improve their new working from home lifestyles. 

NAB executive, home ownership, Andy Kerr says that COVID-19 changed which features are more important for the Aussie home buyer. 

NAB found that many Australians valued the need for having a study or designated work area in their homes.

​​“The pandemic has impacted the lives of millions of Australians, particularly with how and where they want to live. What we have seen as a result is flexible working providing opportunities for people to live wherever they like and still work from home,” he says.

“Without the daily commute, people are looking at the suburbs that haven’t been available in the past as a viable option to actually own a piece of land and build a house.”

With the rise of hybrid working, there has also been a rising number of first time home buyers purchasing homes in outer suburbs.

“Australians have embraced flexible working during the past 18 months of the pandemic where you don’t need to be in a city office five days a week,” says Kerr.

Other reasons for moving home

Aside from improving their lifestyles, what are people looking for in a house in the middle of a pandemic?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, many people moved home for the wellbeing of their family (31%) or for employment (29%). 

NAB also found that Australians moved to avoid COVID restrictions (15%) and to avoid more lockdowns (15%).

Looking to move to a new home to accommodate your working from home lifestyle? Check out some of the great rates available to home buyers in the table below, or head over to our dedicated home loan comparison table to view more offers.

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Last updated 18 February 2025 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*
What are your home loan needs?

Your loan-to-value ratio (LVR): 50%

Loan amount and LVR will affect interest rates.

  • Promoted

    OMG Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • <60% LVR
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.02 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    BCU Bank’s OMG owner occupied home loan offers a variety of great low rates depending on your deposit. Save with no ongoing annual fees. Access your extra payments when you need to through the redraw facility. Pre-approval valid for 3 months.

  • Promoted

    Unloan Variable Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.90 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.

  • Promoted

    Variable Home Loan 90

    • Principal and Interest
    • LVR <90%
    Interest rate
    6.04 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.08 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,011
    Go to site

    Affordable home loan rate for buyers or refinancers. No monthly or ongoing fees. Option to add an offset for 0.10%. Access to savings with unlimited redraws available. Minimum 10% deposit required.

  • Basic Home Loan

    • Fixed
    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR<70%
    Interest rate
    5.55 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.05 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,855
    Go to site

    No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Fast approval times. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $10,000,000.

  • Offset Home Loan

    • Fixed
    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <70%
    Interest rate
    5.55 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.28 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,855
    Go to site

    Convenient offset account. No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Fast approval times. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $10,000,000.

  • Fixed Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <95%
    Interest rate
    5.69 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.20 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,899
    Go to site

    Get the security of a competitive fixed rate home loan for 2 years with IMB. Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply). Up to 12 months repayments in advance without penalties. Free Internet and Mobile Banking redraws (T&Cs apply). Up to a 30 year loan term. Split loan available. No offset account.

  • Fixed Rate Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    5.74 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.16 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,915
    Go to site

    Secure a low rate and enjoy the certainty of repayments, with the BCU Fixed Rate Home Loan. Save with no ongoing annual fees. Pay up to $25,000 extra during a fixed period (T&Cs apply). Lock in for up to 5 years.

  • Fixed Rate Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR<80%
    Interest rate
    5.74 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.21 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,915
    Go to site

    Get repayment security with fixed rates from one to five years. Free extra repayments of up to $25,000 during the fixed rate period. Fix a portion of your loan and leave the rest variable. Choose to repay weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.

  • Everyday Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    5.94 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,978
    Go to site

  • Unloan Variable Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.90 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.

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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.

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