This guide is prepared by Padmaja Patel, Mortgage Broker, helping first home buyers across Victoria.
Most buyers think they need a 20% deposit — but eligible first home buyers may purchase with around a 5% deposit, depending on lender criteria and scheme eligibility.
Fast Affordibility Snapshot
This is a realistic starting point — your actual numbers may be better depending on your situation.
This page is designed to help first home buyers understand typical costs and borrowing requirements. It does not provide financial advice.
Example Price
$660,000
Deposit (5%)
$33,000
Estimated Repayment
~$3,631/month
Household Income
~$122K/year
How Most First Home Buyers Get This Wrong
Online calculators overestimate borrowing power
Banks assess your income differently
Deposit isn’t the only cost
The order of decisions matters
Most buyers I speak to are either overestimating or underestimating what they can afford — both can cost you the right property.
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Is this Right for you?
✔ You are a first home buyer
✔ You have around $30K–$70K saved for deposit
✔ Your household income is roughly $100K+
✔ You are looking at homes around $600K–$700K
Here’s a simple example of what buying a home in Tarneit could look like.
Typical Tarneit Price
Purchase Price: $660,000
Deposit (5%): $33,000
Loan Amount: $627,000Estimated Repayment: ~$3,580/month
(5.59% variable)
Figures are indicative only and may vary depending on lender and individual circumstances.
Upfront Costs to Buy a Home in Tarneit
Here are the typical upfront costs when buying a home in Tarneit.
• Conveyancing: ~$1,200
• Building & pest inspection: ~$600–$750
• Other costs (e.g. movers): ~$800–$1,500Stamp Duty (Victoria):$0 for eligible first home buyers up to $600,000
Concessional rates may apply from
$600,000–$750,000 depending on eligibilityAt $660,000, eligible buyers may receive a reduced stamp duty amount.
These are the most commonly asked questions by my first home buyer clients.
Most first home buyers in Tarneit purchase with around a 5% deposit, which can be approximately $30,000–$40,000 depending on the property price. Government schemes may allow eligible buyers to purchase with a low deposit and avoid LMI.
The income required depends on your loan amount, expenses, and debts. As a guide, many first home buyers purchasing around $600K–$700K may need a combined household income of $100K–$130K, but this varies based on your situation and lender assessment.
Repayments will depend on your interest rate and loan size. As a rough guide, a loan around $600K–$650K may have repayments of approximately $3,500–$4,000 per month at current interest rates. Your exact repayments will vary.
In addition to your deposit, typical upfront costs include:- Conveyancing: approximately $1,200
- Building and pest inspection: approximately $600–$750
- Moving and setup costs: approximately $800–$1,500Eligible first home buyers in Victoria may pay no stamp duty up to $600K, with concessions up to $750K.
Yes — many first home buyers purchase with a 5% deposit using government support schemes or lender options. These programs can help you enter the market sooner with lower upfront costs.
Tarneit is popular for both buying established homes and building new homes.Buying established = faster move-in
Building = more choice and potentially lower upfront costThe right option depends on your timeline, budget, and borrowing capacity.
Your borrowing capacity depends on:- income
- existing debts
- living expenses
- interest rate buffersBanks assess all of these factors — not just your salary — to determine how much you can borrow
The first step is understanding your borrowing capacity and budget before looking at properties. This helps you avoid overestimating or underestimating what you can afford and ensures you search within the right price range.
Get your personalised borrowing plan based on your income and deposit.
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Most buyers I speak to are either overestimating or underestimating what they can afford — both can cost you the right property.
Padmaja Patel - Mortgage Brokers ABN: 17153479338. Credit Representative # 562032 is authorised under Australian Credit License #389087.Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances.
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