True Cost to Buy Calculator

Transfer duty is the largest variable cost in this calculator. It scales with purchase price and changes significantly depending on whether you qualify for first home buyer concessions. A standard purchaser buying at $750,000 pays roughly $24,000 in transfer duty. A first home buyer at the same price pays nothing. That gap is real money.

Lenders Mortgage Insurance is widely misunderstood. It protects the lender, not you. If you are borrowing more than 80% of the property value, you are paying a premium that insures the lender against the risk of you defaulting. At 90% LVR on a $750,000 purchase, that premium can exceed $11,000. It can be added to your loan, which means you are also paying interest on it for the life of the mortgage.

Legal and inspection costs are committed before you know whether a deal proceeds. A conveyancer's bill arrives at settlement whether or not the contract was straightforward. A building and pest report is paid at the time of inspection, before you have made any decision. Budget for both before you make an offer, not after.

The post-purchase buffer matters more than most buyers plan for. A property that cleared building inspection will still need locks changed on day one. Gardens need attention. Tap washers leak. Smoke alarms need new batteries at the worst time. The first months of ownership carry small costs that arrive in a cluster. Setting aside 0.5% of the purchase price is a reasonable starting point.

Want to know what this means for your property?

Daniel walks through your property, reviews recent sold results in your street, and gives you a clear number. Free, no obligation.