What you need for a $900,000 home in Australia
.png)
A $900,000 home will get you pretty far in most places in Australia.
The average house price in Sydney (according to Corelogic’s August 2023 Home Value Index) is $1,333,985. The next highest is Canberra at $839,507. So, aiming at this high price point is certainly in the ballpark for a pretty good property.
Let’s dive into this as there are a couple of things you’ll need when going for a home loan at this price level. This includes aspects such as the deposit needed for a $900,000 home and the income required to manage monthly repayments.
How much do you need to buy a $900,000 home loan?
When you take out a home loan, you’ll need to also make sure you’ve got a deposit. The typical home loan deposit is 20% of the property's purchase price, but there are instances where you can contribute as little as 5-10%.
In addition to your initial deposit, you will probably need to cover several upfront provider fees and government charges, such as:
- Loan application fees
- Settlement fees
- Conveyancing fees
- Property valuation fees
- Stamp duty (unless you qualify for an exemption)
These fees can add up to hundreds of dollars, but you may be eligible for a stamp duty waiver if your state offers one so make sure to double check.
Beyond your deposit and the various fees tied to property purchase, a home loan provider will also consider your borrowing power. Different lenders may have varying criteria for calculating your borrowing power, so make sure to shop around and compare home loans if you don’t get a positive response initially.
What does a deposit for a $900,000 loan look like?
In Australia, buying a home usually requires a 20% deposit, meaning a $900,000 home deposit will amount to $180,000. This would put you at a loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of 80%. The benefit of this is that you can usually find a lot of competitive rates with a higher deposit/lower LVR.
If you don't have a 20% deposit but can afford a 10% (or even a 5%) one, consider exploring low-deposit home loans. A 10% deposit will require you to save $90,000, while a 5% deposit reduces the amount to $45,000.
Remember, however, that you'll likely need to take out Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which could increase your overall costs and expose you to higher interest rates due to your elevated LVR.
If you're short of a 20% deposit, there are some strategies to avoid paying for LMI and qualifying for higher rates. These include:
- Finding a guarantor
- Using a cash gift as part of your deposit
- Applying for a first home owner grant.
How long does it take to save a 20% deposit for a $900,000 home?
Saving up for a $180,000 deposit can take a while depending on your income. If, for example, you save $1,500 per month, it would take you 10 years.
Here’s how much you would need to save:
- If you save $3,000 per month, you’ll accumulate your $180,000 deposit in 5 years.
- If you save $6,000 per month, you’ll accumulate your $180,000 deposit in 2.5 years.
- If you manage to save $15,000 per month, you’ll accumulate your $180,000 deposit in just 1 year.
This is assuming you’re just stashing your cash under the mattress. With a high interest savings account, you could potentially increase your deposit faster as the effects of compound interest accelerate your savings.
It can also be a good idea to find out how much you can realistically be saving by creating a budget. Tools like Mozo’s budget calculator can give you an idea of what your financial situation looks like and how much you could be saving.
How much income do you need to buy a $900,000 home?
So, how much would you need to be earning for a $900,000 home? Assuming you’ve saved up a 20% deposit, you’ll need to get a $720,000 loan. Let’s assume you’re an owner-occupier, paying principal and interest, with a loan term of 25 years at the average variable interest rate of 6.60% p.a. (according to the Mozo database).
Using Mozo’s mortgage repayment calculator, your monthly instalment would be $4,907. However, considering 'mortgage stress' (i.e. spending over 30% of your monthly income on repayments), you’d need to earn at least $16,357 after tax each month to comfortably manage your financial commitments.
Calculated as a yearly salary, those looking to purchase a $900,000 house would need to have an after-tax income of $196,284 per year. Or, of course, you might be half of a dual income household or have the chance to partner with someone else on your potential purchase.
If you’re prepared to buy, then Mozo’s handy borrowing calculator could help you gauge the size of the loan and its repayments. Already sorted that out? If you’re ready to compare home loans, then have a look at some of the featured products below.
Calculators
Calculators See all
Home loan comparisons on Mozo - last updated 8 December 2023
-
Featured Product
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2023
Unloan Variable
Owner Occupier, Refinance Only, LVR <80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment5.74% p.a. variable5.65% p.a.For refinancers only. 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 in as little as 10 minutes.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
For refinancers only. 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 in as little as 10 minutes.
- interest rate
- 5.74% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 5.65% p.a.
- interest rate
- 5.74% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 5.65% 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
-
Home Variable Rate
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, Refinance Only
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.15% p.a. variable6.15% p.a.Enjoy a competitive variable interest rate from Up. No application, monthly, annual, redraw, or discharge fees to pay. Up to 50 free offset accounts available. Up home loans are only available to owner-occupiers buying or refinancing in major Australian cities. Up is 100% owned by Bendigo Bank. New joiners get $10 by signing up to the app using code UPHOMEMOZO. (T&Cs apply) Mozo Experts Choice award winner.
CompareCompareHome Variable Rate
Enjoy a competitive variable interest rate from Up. No application, monthly, annual, redraw, or discharge fees to pay. Up to 50 free offset accounts available. Up home loans are only available to owner-occupiers buying or refinancing in major Australian cities. Up is 100% owned by Bendigo Bank. New joiners get $10 by signing up to the app using code UPHOMEMOZO. (T&Cs apply) Mozo Experts Choice award winner.
- interest rate
- 6.15% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.15% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.15% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.15% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to $30,000
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- 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 Up Home Variable Rate
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Packaged Home Loan - 2023
Variable Rate Home Loan Special Offer
Package, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.14% p.a. variable6.51% p.a.Package benefits across Home Loans, Visa Credit Card, Personal Loans and Term Deposits. No package fee for the first year. No application, settlement or redraw fees to pay. Quick and easy application. Free CoreLogic RP Data property reports. *Terms, conditions and lending criteria apply.
CompareCompareVariable Rate Home Loan Special Offer
Package benefits across Home Loans, Visa Credit Card, Personal Loans and Term Deposits. No package fee for the first year. No application, settlement or redraw fees to pay. Quick and easy application. Free CoreLogic RP Data property reports. *Terms, conditions and lending criteria apply.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.51% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.51% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $395.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- $0 package fee for the first year.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Credit Union SA Variable Rate Home Loan Special Offer
-
Mortgage Simplifier
LVR<80%, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.14% p.a. variable6.43% 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. Winner of Australia’s Best Essential Bank in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards.
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. Winner of Australia’s Best Essential Bank in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.43% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.43% 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
-
Featured Product
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2023
Unloan Variable
Investment, Refinance Only
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.04% p.a. variable5.95% p.a.For refinancers only. 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 in as little as 10 minutes.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
For refinancers only. 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 in as little as 10 minutes.
- interest rate
- 6.04% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 5.95% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.04% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 5.95% 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
- Investor
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Unloan Unloan Variable
-
Home Fixed Rate
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, Refinance Only
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.40% p.a.
fixed 4 years6.24% p.a.Enjoy the security of a competitive fixed interest rate from Up. No application, monthly, annual, redraw, or discharge fees to pay. Up to 50 free offset accounts available. Up home loans are only available to owner-occupiers buying or refinancing in major Australian cities. Up is 100% owned by Bendigo Bank. New joiners get $10 by signing up to the app using code UPHOMEMOZO. (T&Cs apply). Mozo Experts Choice award winner.
CompareCompareHome Fixed Rate
Enjoy the security of a competitive fixed interest rate from Up. No application, monthly, annual, redraw, or discharge fees to pay. Up to 50 free offset accounts available. Up home loans are only available to owner-occupiers buying or refinancing in major Australian cities. Up is 100% owned by Bendigo Bank. New joiners get $10 by signing up to the app using code UPHOMEMOZO. (T&Cs apply). Mozo Experts Choice award winner.
- interest rate
- 6.40% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 6.22% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.40% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 6.22% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to $30,000
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Up Home Fixed Rate
-
Well Balanced Special Offer
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.12% p.a. variable6.14% p.a.Competitive low rates available for owner occupiers. Free online redraws. 100% offset account for a small fee ($10 p/mth). Quick and easy application online. Get a free evaluation (Valued up to $300). Minimum loan amount $100K.
CompareCompareWell Balanced Special Offer
Competitive low rates available for owner occupiers. Free online redraws. 100% offset account for a small fee ($10 p/mth). Quick and easy application online. Get a free evaluation (Valued up to $300). Minimum loan amount $100K.
- interest rate
- 6.12% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.12% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $785
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - $10 per month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $200,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
* 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.
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.