How to have a bloomin’ good spring property season

By Evlin DuBose · · 3 min read
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Woman thinks about how to have a bloomin' good spring property season.

Spring property season is usually the busiest time of year for home sales. Not only are there more properties on the market, but there are more home loan deals and auctions to wade through. However, with some simple preparation, home buyers can certainly make hay while the sun shines. 

Here are the four key ways to prepare for spring property buying.

Research the housing market

Woman holds up a magnifying glass as she researches the housing market.

Not every Australian suburb is the same, and property trends change constantly. If you know where you want to buy, do your research so you can spot good value in a home – and potentially make capital gains.

Namely, it’s important to research a suburb’s:

  • Property prices.
  • Geography.
  • Home styles and types.
  • Shopping and amenities.
  • Roads and public transport.
  • Local council.

These can all give you a good idea of what to expect going in. Having all this information ahead of time can also empower you to reach out to local real estate agents, negotiate, and ask insightful questions during the home inspection.

Know your home loan budget

Woman thinks about her home loan budget as a piggy bank peeks over the house.

There isn’t much point in looking at properties you can’t afford, so crunch the numbers ahead of time and know your budget inside out. This includes:

There are other miscellaneous home loan costs to consider, too, such as conveyancing fees and home loan fees, so having an airtight budget will help you suss how to best spend your money. If you’re eligible for federal first home buyer grants, try and get these in order, too. 

If you’re unsure how much you’ll need to get started, here are some guides to help you see if you can afford a $600,000 home or $750,000 home.

Prepare for auctions

Man shouts with a megaphone at an auction during the spring property season.

One of the classic hallmarks of spring property season is the high number of auctions. Buying at auction can be a thrilling experience but also nerve-wracking or gutting if you lose out on your dream home. Preparation is key to making the most of an auction. 

Before attending the auction, make sure you inspect the property and have a way to pay the deposit if your bid wins. Consider having a solicitor with you (or, better still, bid for you) to make the process as smooth as possible. Remember, if you overbid at auction and win, you’re on the hook to pay the deposit immediately.

Can you lose your home loan deposit?

Compare home loan options

Man compares home loans on his laptop while thinking about his dream home in spring.

Home loan lenders are aware of an influx of spring buyers, so deals on offer sometimes get more competitive during the spring property season. This may include one-off draws like introductory interest rates or cashback deals, but it’s important to look at the core features you want in a home loan rather than the bells and whistles. 

In particular, it’s vital to compare these parts of a home loan:

  • Interest rates and comparison rates.
  • Features like offset accounts or free extra repayments with a redraw.
  • Repayment frequencies (monthly vs. weekly). 
  • Fees and charges. 
  • Borrowing power – since this can differ between lenders. 

These will give you a better idea of the true costs of a home loan over time, as well as which products could offer you the best value for buying your dream home. 

Compare home loans in the table below.

Compare home loans - last updated 3 May 2024

Search promoted home loans below or do a full Mozo database search. Advertiser disclosure
  • Featured Product
    Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    Unloan Variable

    Owner Occupier, LVR <80%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    5.99% p.a. variable
    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.

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  • Basic Home Loan

    Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<70%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    5.99% p.a.
    fixed 3 years
    6.12% p.a.

    No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $750,000.

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  • Discounted Home Value Loan

    Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR 70-80%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.09% p.a. variable
    6.09% p.a.

    Enjoy competitive rates for owner occupiers. Enjoy unlimited free extra repayments. Flexibility to redraw additional payments for free. No ongoing monthly service fee. Settlement fee waived on new borrowings from $50,000 (T&Cs apply).

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  • Featured Product
    Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    Unloan Variable

    Investment, LVR <80%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.29% p.a. variable
    6.20% p.a.

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

    Compare
    Go to site
    Details
  • Flex Home Loan

    Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR 60-70%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    5.99% p.a.
    fixed 3 years
    6.41% p.a.

    Competitive fixed rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 20% deposit required.

    Compare
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    Details

* 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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