FAQs

Easy. HOWZD facilitates the 20% Deposit Loan (interest and fee free for the first five years*). You just need to qualify for a standard home loan on the remaining 80% through a bank or broker. No savings marathons. No shared equity. Just full ownership from day one.

Absolutely! You can still use HOWZD, in fact, it puts you in an even stronger position. Here’s how to play it smart: put your existing savings into an offset account to reduce the interest on your bank loan. Then, chip away at the 20% Deposit Loan in flexible chunks, 5%, 10%, whatever works for you. Just make sure it is paid off before the 5-year mark to avoid fees and interest on the Deposit Loan.

This way, you stay in control, minimise fees, and maximise your savings.

Yes, like any property purchase in Australia, stamp duty applies. The exact amount depends on where you’re buying and your property price. We’ve linked state-by-state calculators here so you can work it out. Bonus: If you’re a first-home buyer, you might qualify for discounts or exemptions depending on your state.

From 1 October, the Australian Government’s First Home Guarantee (FHBG) lets eligible buyers purchase with just a 5% deposit and a government guarantee on the next 15%—so you can avoid LMI.

HOWZD goes further. We arrange the 20% Deposit Loan — interest-free for five years*. That means you only borrow 80% from the bank, not 95%, keeping your repayments lower while you enjoy full ownership from day one.

Why first-home buyers are often better off with HOWZD:

• FHBG = you’re paying principal and interest on 95% of the property from day one.
• HOWZD = no deposit, and no interest on the 20% Deposit Loan for the first five years*.

Example: On a $1,500,000 home at 6% interest, you’d be about $67,500 better off over five years with HOWZD compared to FHBG¹.

FHBG is a step forward. HOWZD is a smarter finish line.

¹An approximate calculation for illustration purposes only.

Nope. That’s one of the perks of HOWZD. Because you’re borrowing just 80% from the bank (not 90% or 95%), LMI doesn’t apply. You avoid the deposit and avoid the insurance fee or high interest rates that most low-deposit buyers get slugged with. Win-win.

There’s no fixed amount — but as a rough guide, you’ll want enough to cover stamp duty, legal fees, and a bit of breathing room for moving and setup costs. You can find out more about these costs here.

There’s no minimum income rule, but you do need to qualify for a standard 80% home loan through a bank or broker. If you can afford the repayments, you’re good to go.

Apply now to find out if you’re eligible.

Yes, 100%. Your name’s on the title from day one. You can live in it, rent it out, renovate it (subject to local regulations), or sell it whenever you like*. You’re the legal owner, just like any other buyer. The only difference? We’ve helped you get in the door faster by covering the deposit upfront, interest-free for the first 5 years*. No strings. No shared title. No weird clauses.

*If you sell before repaying the Deposit Loan, you’ll need to pay it out (and any outstanding interest and fees if they have been incurred) from the sale proceeds. Simple.

No, this is not a shared equity model. With HOWZD, there’s no co-ownership and no equity split at any point. You own 100% of the property from day one.

What you’re getting is a 20% Deposit Loan (interest-free for 5 years*), not a stake in your home. That loan can be repaid anytime, and even if it’s not paid back within 5 years, you simply pay the extension fee and the interest charge on your loan. But you still own the entire home. No shared title. No shared upside. Just a smarter, simpler path to ownership.

If you haven’t paid back the 20% Deposit Loan by the 5-year mark, it moves into what we call the Extension Period. At this time, a one-off Extension Fee is charged and interest fees kicks in. Interest is calculated daily at the RBA Cash Rate plus 2.0% p.a., and paid quarterly. So yep, there’s now a cost to holding on.

Your best move? Refinance or repay before year five to dodge the interest and Extension Fee completely. We’ll do our best to help you make this happen.

If you’re still holding the loan after 5 years, an Extension Fee applies — it’s calculated as: 5 x Outstanding Loan Amount x (RBA Cash Rate + 2%). This fee is due the day the Extension Period starts (at the 5 year mark), so it’s not something to ignore.

In short: repay or refinance before year five and skip the cost. Wait, and you’re looking at interest plus a fee. We’ll touch base at the 4.5 year mark to help you try and refinance to avoid the Extension Fee.

Rent-to-own homes usually mean you’re renting first, with the option to buy later, often at a locked-in price, with a portion of your rent going toward the purchase. You’re not the legal owner until you fully buy the property, and a lot can change in the meantime (including your eligibility or the market).

HOWZD is different.
With HOWZD, you own the home from day one. Your name’s on the title. There’s no rent, no option agreement, no waiting. We facilitate your 20% Deposit Loan, interest and fee free for 5 years*, so you can move in and get on with life, without the years of saving or the uncertainty of rent-to-own deals.

So if you’re choosing between HHOWZD and a rent-to-own home, ask yourself: do you want to rent now and maybe own later, or own now with no deposit?

Yes, you can. Rentvesting is all about living where you want and investing where it makes sense — and HOWZD makes it even easier. We facilitate a 20% Deposit Loan, interest-free for the first five years*, so you can buy a brand-new investment property without saving a cent for the deposit.

That means you can keep renting in your ideal suburb, while your investment property starts working for you straight away — generating rental income and potential capital growth, with full ownership rights from day one.