Buying guide
HOWZD is a flexible finance solution designed to open up a new pathway to property ownership for buyers of all kinds. Whether you’re a first home buyer, a downsizer, starting over, or building your portfolio, HOWZD gets you into your home without the years of deposit saving. Full ownership from day one, no equity traps.
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
Found a new apartment or townhouse you love? Bring it to HOWZD or ask the agent if you can use HOWZD to buy it.
TELL US WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
Submit an enquiry form and tell us what you are looking for. We’ll check your bank readiness, and then we can either match you with a HOWZD-approved property or work with your preferred developer.
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 a 20% Deposit Loan, interest- and fee-free for the first 5 years* (comparison rate 6.08% P.A.), 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 a variable interest rate. Contact us for rate information.
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* (comparison rate 6.08% P.A.), 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.
HOME LOAN INTEREST AND PRINCIPLE PAYMENTS
Your 80% home loan works like any other, you’ll make standard principal and interest repayments to your bank for the life of that loan, on their terms.
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.
DOWNSIZERS
For downsizers, timing is everything. You have found the right property for your next chapter but you are not quite ready to commit to selling the family home, or you simply need more time to decide if downsizing is the right move. HOWZD removes the pressure either way. Secure your new home now without needing a deposit, and take up to five years to sell your existing property or make your next decision. No rushing. No forcing the sale before you are ready. Full ownership from day one, on your timeline.
TRANSITIONAL BUYERS
Sometimes life’s timing does not align with the timeline the property market demands. Whether you are relocating for work, navigating a separation, or newly arrived in Australia, you may find yourself financially capable but between assets or life stages. HOWZD bridges that gap, giving owner-occupiers in transition a pathway into property now, without waiting for the pieces to fully fall into place.
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.
*Subject to credit assessment and eligibility