Property buyers delay plans due to COVID-19, finds Gateway Bank
Fifty-two per cent of first home buyers have delayed their plans to purchase property due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new findings from Gateway Bank. Meanwhile, 16% have put their plans on hold indefinitely.
“As more people are being forced to spend their deposit savings on basic living expenses, the prospect of buying a property is now even more elusive,” said Gateway Bank chief executive officer, Lexi Airey.
In a survey of 700 Australians hoping to buy their first home, Gateway Bank found that half have been forced to dip into their deposit savings. Of this group, 45% did so to cover day-to-day expenses, while 17% used their savings to help a family member experiencing financial stress.
Perhaps most shocking, 16% of potential first home buyers admitted to draining most of their deposit in the months since the pandemic struck.
For many, recovering lost savings won't come easy, especially at a time when job insecurity is on the rise and ties to employment are only being preserved through government largesse.
In fact, according to the research, 56% of first home buyers believe it will take them an additional one to three years to save up a deposit, while 25% expect to be saving for at least another three years.
Is there any support available to first home buyers?
While the dream of home ownership has been pushed back for many, hopeful buyers shouldn’t despair. Airey reminds Australians there are several government programs designed to help first home buyers get a foot on the property ladder.
These include the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG), which subsidises the purchase or construction of new homes, along with the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS), which allows borrowers to buy a home with a deposit of as little as 5%.
Unfortunately, many Australians are still in the dark about these programs. The survey conducted by Gateway Bank found that only 56% of respondents were aware of the FHOG, while only 32% knew about the FHLDS.
Other measures like stamp duty concessions and the First Home Super Saver Scheme have also escaped the attention of all but 24% of respondents. Meanwhile, 22% of those surveyed weren’t aware of any government schemes whatsoever.
“Awareness of these measures is generally quite low, and those looking to enter the property market for the first time could be missing out on an opportunity to put their pre-COVID home ownership plans back on track,” Airey said.
For a quick overview of the support available to first home buyers, along with more relevant tips, browse our first mortgage guide. And if you want an idea of where rates currently sit, head over to our home loans comparison page, or check out the selection below.
Home loan comparisons on Mozo - rates updated daily
Smart Booster Home Loan
1 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable2.47% p.a.Smart Booster Home Loan
A super low introductory rate home loan with no monthly or ongoing fees. Unlimited free redraws and unlimited additional repayments to help you build your equity and own your home sooner. Multiple loan splits available. (Rates revert after introductory period ends). 20% minimum deposit required. Winner of two Mozo Expert's Choice Award for 2021.
- interest rate
- 1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.47% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $1,000,000
- 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 Smart Booster Home Loan
UHomeLoan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.75% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.22% p.a.UHomeLoan
$0 fees and easy application. Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.
- interest rate
- 1.75% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 2.22% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $20,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- $395 Establishment fee waived for fixed rate loans that settle by 30 September 2022. Receive 1.75% 3 year fixed rate when you apply by 29 April 2021 and settle within 90 days.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan
Basic Home Loan
Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<70%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.43% p.a.Basic Home Loan
Get a flexible loan structure with up to six loan accounts with different rate types. Make free extra repayments. Enjoy free redraw facility. No upfront or ongoing fees. Option to earn Qantas points.
- interest rate
- 2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 2.43% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $400.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $750,000
- 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 Basic Home Loan
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.19% p.a. variable2.19% p.a.Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid off. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees to consider. Min 40% deposit required. Winner of three Mozo Expert's Choice Award for 2021.
- interest rate
- 2.19% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.19% 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
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
- Hot Deal$3,000 cashback when you refinance with Virgin Money (T&Cs apply)
Special Offer Reward Me Fixed Rate Home Loan
Owner Occupier, LVR <80%, 300k+
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.94% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.77% p.a.Special Offer Reward Me Fixed Rate Home Loan
Enjoy $3,000 cashback when you refinance with Virgin Money (T&Cs apply). Additional repayments up to $10,000 per annum. Reverts to the discounted variable rate on expiry of the fixed term.
- interest rate
- 1.94% p.a.
fixed 2 years
- comparison rate
- 2.77% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $450
- Ongoing fees
- $10.00 monthly
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to $10,000 per annum
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $300,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- $3,000 cashback for new borrowings of at least $300,000, applications by 28 May 2021, settled by 27 August 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Special Offer Reward Me Fixed Rate Home Loan
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loans Awards
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