How borrowers can combat the housing affordability crisis
We’ve heard for a while now that we’re in a housing affordability crisis, and many Aussies feel like home ownership is increasingly becoming out of reach for them.
However, while all the news can feel very doom and gloom, there are actually a lot of things to stay positive about and a lot we can do to combat housing affordability.
Looking for a better property price
Another thing to consider when looking at housing affordability is the city you live in. This can affect your decision-making as the regional cities and some capital cities are a lot cheaper than say Melbourne or Sydney.
While these numbers may seem a bit daunting, there are workarounds that we can find. For one, regional cities like Geelong, Gold Coast, and Newcastle tend to be better priced which could be an attractive option for those who don’t feel tied down to the capital cities.
With remote work seemingly here to stay, many families will also find themselves wanting to opt for homes in areas that provide a positive living environment rather than the convenience of being close to a capital city CBD.
Think about grants like the Home Guarantee Scheme
If you’re a first homebuyer, there are more options available to you such as the government’s first home guarantee and regional first home guarantee schemes.
With these schemes, you can have the government act as a guarantor on a deposit of up to 15%. The government acting as a guarantor basically means that you won’t need to pay lenders' mortgage insurance (LMI).
You usually pay LMI for deposits lower than 20% of the overall property’s value as a way of protecting the bank as (without a guarantor) you’re seen as a riskier borrower.
It’s good to check whether you’re eligible for the home guarantee scheme which was recently expanded to include siblings and friends looking to co-ownership. Also, if you’re not a first homebuyer but haven’t owned a property in the past 10 years then you might be eligible for the scheme too.
Check home loan options like low deposit loans
When it comes to housing affordability, saving for a 20% deposit can feel daunting. However, if you’ve got the cash but not the time to save, you can opt to take out a low deposit home loan.
Essentially, with a low deposit home loan, you can take out a loan with a deposit that usually ranges anywhere between 5-15% of the total property value. However, keep in mind that unless you have a guarantor (like a parent), you’ll have to pay lenders' mortgage insurance.
Another way of combating housing affordability is through utilising comparison websites like Mozo. Our database has a number of low deposit home loan providers you can compare so that you get the loan that works best for you
Home loan comparisons on Mozo - last updated 19 May 2024
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Featured Product
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2024
Unloan Variable
Owner Occupier, LVR <80%
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment5.99% p.a.5.90% p.a.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.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
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.
- variable rate
- 5.99% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.90% p.a.
- variable rate
- 5.99% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.90% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- 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
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Unloan Unloan Variable
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Basic Home Loan
Owner Occupier, LVR<60%, Principal & Interest
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.14% p.a.6.16% p.a.Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 40% Deposit required.
CompareCompareBasic Home Loan
Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 40% Deposit required.
- variable rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.16% p.a.
- variable rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.16% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $350
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $400.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Macquarie Basic Home Loan
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Flex Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.19% p.a.6.43% p.a.Competitive variable rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 40% deposit required.
CompareCompareFlex Home Loan
Competitive variable rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 40% deposit required.
- variable rate
- 6.19% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.43% p.a.
- variable rate
- 6.19% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.43% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
- Ongoing fees
- $250.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- -
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the ubank Flex Home Loan
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Elevate
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.09% p.a.6.20% p.a.Get competitive rates on loan terms of 5 to 30 years with the Aussie Elevate Home Loan. Structure your loan with up to five splits. Make additional repayments (T&Cs apply). Offset accounts available. Unlimited redraw using your online banking account. Choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments For loan amounts from $10,000 to $5 million.
CompareCompareElevate
Get competitive rates on loan terms of 5 to 30 years with the Aussie Elevate Home Loan. Structure your loan with up to five splits. Make additional repayments (T&Cs apply). Offset accounts available. Unlimited redraw using your online banking account. Choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments For loan amounts from $10,000 to $5 million.
- variable rate
- 6.09% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.20% p.a.
- variable rate
- 6.09% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.20% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $498
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $325.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional extra - $10 per month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Aussie Elevate
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Mortgage Simplifier
LVR<80%, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.14% p.a.6.17% p.a.Get a competitive variable rate with ING’s Mortgage Simplifier. Free extra repayments, no monthly or annual fees. Freedom to make free extra repayments or redraws.
CompareCompareMortgage Simplifier
Get a competitive variable rate with ING’s Mortgage Simplifier. Free extra repayments, no monthly or annual fees. Freedom to make free extra repayments or redraws.
- variable rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.17% p.a.
- variable rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.17% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $299
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $250.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the ING Mortgage Simplifier
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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
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