Buying guide
Buying a property shouldn’t take a decade of sacrifice. With HOWZD’s zero deposit home loan platform, you skip the deposit saving time and get the keys from day one. No equity traps. Just full ownership, fast.
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HOW IT WORKS
HOW BUYING WITH HOWZD ACTUALLY WORKS
No deposit. No drama. Just smart steps to get you through the door.
FIND YOUR PERFECT PLACE
Scroll the HOWZD listings until something clicks. From inner-city slick to townhouse chic, every home is brand new, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
ENQUIRE ABOUT YOUR PREFERRED PROPERTY
Hit “Enquire Now” and let us know which home has your name on it. Not sure which one you prefer? No problem. Submit a general enquiry and we’ll check if you’re bank-ready, then help you find the perfect fit.
GET BANK-READY
We’ll connect you with a HOWZD broker who understands the HOWZD model and is ready to get you approved.
FINANCE APPROVED
Loan’s a go? Time to meet your future home. We’ll tee up a personalised property tour so you can walk through what could be yours.
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
You say yes? We’ll arrange the 20% Deposit Loan (interest free for the first 5-years*), and your bank will fund the other 80%. Congrats, you just bought a home with zero deposit.
MOVE IN
Your name’s on the title. Your key’s in the door. You’re home.
WE’LL CHECK IN BEFORE YEAR 5
Around the 4.5-year mark, we’ll reach out to help you refinance and pay back the 20% Deposit Loan. If you pay it back before the 5-year mark, it is interest and fee free*.
DIDN’T REPAY BY YEAR FIVE? NO DRAMA.
If the 20% Deposit Loan isn’t repaid in full by the end of year five, the remaining loan amount automatically rolls into the Extension Period.
At that point:
A one-time extension fee is due immediately.
Interest is now charged and payable quarterly (on your outstanding loan amount), at the RBA cash rate + 2% per annum.
It’s still yours. But the longer you wait, the more it’ll cost — so it’s worth planning ahead or paying down what you can before year 5.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS?
WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY COST TO BUY WITH HOWZD?
We’ll facilitate the 20% Deposit Loan, interest and fee free for the first 5 years*, so you can get into your home faster, without draining your savings.
But there are a few other costs to plan for when buying a property in Australia — here’s what to expect.
STAMP DUTY
Stamp duty is a state-based government tax on all property purchases. Stamp duty varies by state, so we’ve dropped the calculators below to help you work out what you might owe:
LEGAL & CONVEYANCING COSTS
Like any property purchase, you’ll need a conveyancer or property lawyer to handle the legals and make sure everything’s watertight.
Typical cost: $1,000–$2,500, depending on who you use and how complex your purchase is.
Need a recommendation? We can connect you with pros who know the HOWZD model inside and out. Get in touch.
TRANSFER & MORTGAGE REGISTRATION FEES
These are government fees to register your name on the title (transfer) and register your mortgage (loan) with the relevant state authority. They’re small, but they add up. They are usually a few hundred dollars each, depending on your location.
Here’s an estimate to help you budget:
- Transfer fees: $100–$2,000+
- Mortgage registration fees: $100–$200
BODY CORPORATE FEES
Body corporate fees cover the shared costs of maintaining common areas in apartment or townhouse developments. These cover maintenance items like lifts, gardens, and building insurance. They vary from building to building, so it is important to understand these before buying.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
WHO CAN BUY WITH HOWZD?
If you can legally buy property in Australia, you can use HOWZD. Whether you’re a first-home buyer, investor, upsizer, downsizer or overseas buyer, HOWZD is built to open doors (literally).
HERE’S WHO’S ELIGIBLE:
INVESTORS
Building a portfolio? HOWZD is a smart way to secure a new, high-quality property without tying up capital in upfront deposits.
OWNER-OCCUPIERS
Ready to move out of renting? HOWZD works perfectly for buyers who want to live in the home they’re purchasing, whether it’s a lifestyle upgrade or a fresh start.
FIRST-HOME BUYERS
No deposit? No worries. HOWZD is tailor-made for you.
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.
FOREIGN PURCHASERS
You’re welcome here, too, as long as you meet FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) requirements and get ATO approval. We recommend speaking with your advisor or broker first to ensure all boxes are ticked.
THE SHORT VERSION?
If you can afford a mortgage, you can afford the home. HOWZD helps you skip the savings marathon and start building your future sooner.