From flat to family home - buying your first house

By Mozo ·
Fact Checked
Advertiser disclosure

Ready to own your nest? From finding a good loan to pinpointing your criteria, plus lifestyle factors to consider, see this checklist before you begin the big search.

Buying your first house is a significant step, and beyond the financial commitment, you’re making lifestyle choices too. If you have a baby on the way, or young children, you’re looking to put down some roots, so it’s important to get things right. Ask yourself:

Home Loan Comparison Table - rates updated daily

Search promoted home loans below or do a full Mozo database search. Advertiser disclosure.
  • placeholder
    Mozo Experts Choice 2021
    Smart Booster Home Loan

    2 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    1.85% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 2.25% p.a. variable
    2.21% p.a.

    New super low introductory rate home loan for two years. Min 20% deposit. No monthly or ongoing fees. Fast settlement times. Mozo award-winning online lender. Friendly, local Australian based team.

    Go to site
    Details
  • placeholder
    Mozo Experts Choice 2021
    UHomeLoan - Discount Offer

    Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    2.19% p.a. variable
    2.19% p.a.

    Enjoy a super low rate. $0 fees to consider. Fast and easy online application. Free redraw and free extra repayments. Flexible payment terms. Min 20% deposit required.

    Go to site
    Details
  • placeholder
    Mozo Experts Choice 2021
    Celebrate Variable Home Loan

    <60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    1.99% p.a. variable
    1.99% p.a.

    Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required. Winner of three Mozo Expert's Choice Awards for 2021.

    Go to site
    Details
  • placeholder
    Variable Home Loan

    Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    1.99% p.a. variable
    1.99% p.a.

    Refinance only. Super-fast digital application process. Zero upfront fees. No on-going service fees. Free 100% offset sub account. Minimum 25% deposit required.

    Go to site
    Details
  • placeholder
    Basic Home Loan

    Owner Occupier, LVR<60%, Principal & Interest

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    2.14% p.a. variable
    2.14% p.a.

    Competitive low variable rate. No application or account management fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free withdrawals of your savings.

    Go to site
    Details

How big a house do you want? Consider the size of your family – if you plan to have two children, for example, will a two-bedroom house give your brood enough space? Children can share a room while they’re young, but how soon will you be willing to move?

Where will your children go to school? Do you want to live within walking distance? Visit the schools in areas you’re considering; likewise, if you have a baby on the way and plan on going back to work, it pays to research local childcare options.

Are you ready for rate hikes? While we all want the cheapest home loan around, taking on a fixed interest mortgage can offer budgeting security while a variable home loan exposes your pay packet to rate hikes from the banks. To see how higher interest could affect your repayments, check out Mozo's rate change calculator.

Are you willing to spend more time commuting for more space? Inner-city living does come at the cost of space. Being close to work may free up more time for you to pick up children and arrange dinner, if you’re happy to live in closer quarters. But if your family needs room or you dream of a large yard, longer travelling times to work may be in order – will this leave you with enough time to carry out your daily errands?

Don’t choose designer features over child safety. Is the floor slippery? Are the stairs easy to navigate by young children? Are there sharp corners everywhere? And how child-proof is the lush white carpeting?

* 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, loan amount and term entered. 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

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.