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Compare 80% lvr home loans
Find home loans from a wide range of Australian lenders that suit your needs, whether you're investing, refinancing or looking to buy your first home. Compare interest rates, mortgage repayments, fees and more.
$1,182
based on $300,000 loan amount for 25 years at 1.99%
Advertised Rate 1.99% p.a Intro 12 months | Comparison Rate* 2.47% p.a | Company  | Repayment $1,343 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site |  The 12-month interest rate discount could give you more breathing room in your household budget, or make a head start on paying off your home sooner. |  Winner of Best refinance home loan, Best variable, RateCity Gold Awards 2021 More details | ||
Advertised Rate 1.75% p.a Fixed - 3 years | Comparison Rate* 2.22% p.a | Company  | Repayment $1,235 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | Fix the interest rate on your owner occupier home loan for up to three years and pay no ongoing fees. More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.24% p.a Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.26% p.a | Company  | Repayment $1,307 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | Pay no ongoing fees and enjoy access to extra repayments and a redraw facility for your owner-occupied home loan. More details | |||
Advertised Rate 1.74% p.a Fixed - 2 years | Comparison Rate* 2.23% p.a | Company  | Repayment $1,234 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | Homeowners may lock in a competitive interest rate for two years and enjoy access to features like a 100% offset account. More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.29% p.a Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.23% p.a | Company  | Repayment $1,314 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Learn more about home loans
What is an 80% LVR home loan?
An LVR is a financial term you may come across in your home loan journey. The LVR, or loan-to-value ratio, of your home loan equates to how much money you’re borrowing (loan amount) versus the value of the property being purchased.
Lenders use this measuring tool to assess your riskiness as a borrower and it can determine your interest rate. In theory, the larger a deposit, the better your financial discipline and ability to potentially meet mortgage repayments.
For example, on a $500,000 property, if you saved $100,000 this would add up to a 20 per cent deposit. This means that you would therefore be borrowing the remaining 80 per cent of the property’s value as a loan from a lender. The loan-to-value ratio is 80 per cent.
What are the benefits of an 80% LVR home loan?
There are a range of benefits to taking out an 80 per cent LVR home loan. In fact, it’s generally recommended to aim for a deposit minimum of 20 per cent due to the raft of benefits, including:
- Avoiding LMI. Lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) is a pesky insurance you’ll need to pay if you have an LVR under 80 per cent. As mentioned above, there is higher risk to a lender by lending money to borrowers with smaller deposits than 20 per cent. This insurance helps to protect the lender in the event you default on the loan. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and an 80 per cent LVR is a helpful way to avoid this cost.
- Less debt. Another benefit to consider is that the larger your deposit, the less debt you’re taking on by having a smaller home loan. This will not only mean smaller ongoing mortgage repayments, but less interest charged over the life of the loan.
- Lower rates. Some lenders reward reliable borrowers with LVRs of 80 per cent by offering them more competitive interest rates. The lower your interest rate, the lower your mortgage repayments, which means good news for your budget. In fact, if you have a high LVR you may be offered a higher interest rate.
- Higher chance of approval. When applying for a home loan, you'll find that lenders have their own lending criteria. Most lenders will look at your bank account for proof that you are regularly saving and therefore more financially stable and eligible for a loan. If you have a 20 per cent or higher deposit, this may present you in a more favourable light to the lender, potentially increasing your chance of approval.
- More loan options. Some lenders limit borrowers’ access to certain, more competitive, home loan products if they have smaller deposits. By searching for an 80 per cent LVR home loan you may have success to a greater variety of loan options with reduced fees, helpful features or credit card packages.
What if I don’t have a 20 per cent deposit?
Saving up a 20 per cent deposit is no easy feat, especially if you’re looking to purchase property in Sydney or Melbourne where median prices are sky high. There are a few things home buyers can do now to try and bolster their home loan applications and potentially reach an LVR of 80 per cent with a larger deposit.
- Get a guarantor. If you’re not financially able to save up a 20 per cent deposit yourself, you may consider bringing on a guarantor. This involves having someone else (typically family) come on to your home loan and offer up security (typically home equity) to bolster your application. The guarantor may take financial responsibility if you were unable to meet mortgage repayments. It does not necessarily mean a guarantor covers the whole loan amount. In fact, you can bring a guarantor on to cover the gap in your deposit so you can aim for an 80 per cent LVR. It also means less risk to the lender that you may default on the loan.
- Boost your credit score. Your credit history is a key factor that determines not only whether you get a competitive interest rate from a lender, but whether you’ll be approved for a loan. If your credit score is not ideal, consider working on increasing it before you apply for your home loan.
- Move back home. Moving back home with family can be a very simple way to save more money. Rent is arguably the biggest ongoing bill you have and can often be more expensive than mortgage repayments. If you’re aiming for a 20 per cent deposit but still falling short, swallow your pride and head home for a little while to increase your savings.
- Downgrade or sell your car. A car is another costly expense that can significantly chip away at your budget when saving for a home. If you’re in a suburb with great access to public transport or ride sharing apps, consider selling your car for some extra cash. If this is not possible, you may want to consider downgrading to a more affordable model, just until your loan is approved.
What type of property can I purchase with an 80% LVR home loan?
The good news about 80 per cent LVRs is that you’re opening yourself up to a wider range of home loan options than if you saved a smaller deposit.
80 per cent LVR home loans are typically available to owner-occupiers and investors, whether shopping around for existing dwellings, land packages or new home builds. It will also afford you access to both fixed rate home loans and variable rate home loans. You may also gain access to loans with handy features, like an offset account, redraw facility or the ability to make extra repayments.
All that matters is the valuation of the property is within a range that your deposit does not fall below 80 per cent. Be careful in the real estate search and try to stay within a healthy property price range. This may mean not aiming for your dream postcode right away and looking in similar suburbs nearby – especially for first home buyers.
Also, try to keep up to date with the housing market, so you can watch for potential market value fluctuations. If there is a dip, that may be a more ideal time to buy property. But you may want to avoid buying in an area that will continue to lose property value, so be careful.
How do I find 80% LVR home loans?
- Comparison tables. This comparison tool allows you to search for and filter down 80 per cent LVR home loans. You can enter the amount you want to borrow and property value to view loans within your LVR range. Then you can filter down and compare options side by side, to find a loan with an interest rate, fees and features that suit your financial needs.
- Calculators. Not sure which home loan to choose? A home loan calculator may be able to help. Narrow down your short list with a mortgage repayment calculator to see how your loan options and their potential repayment amounts stack up against your budget. You can even calculate how much you may be able to borrow to get a better idea of your LVR before you begin your mortgage search.
- Mortgage broker. Not sure if you’ll qualify for a 80% LVR home loan? It may be worth consulting with a mortgage broker. Mortgage brokers are considered experts in their field and may be able to offer advice and assistance in being approved for a home loan.
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Writer
Alex is a personal finance writer and PR professional at RateCity, and has been writing about finance for over three years. She is passionate about closing the gender pay and superannuation gap, and aims to help young Aussies to overcome their financial apathy and better manage their finances. Alex has been published in numerous print and online outlets, including Money Magazine, Lifehacker Australia, and Business Insider.
Today's top home loans
Frequently asked questions
What is a loan-to-value ratio (LVR)?
A loan-to-value ratio (otherwise known as a Loan to Valuation Ratio or LVR), is a calculation lenders make to work out the value of your loan versus the value of your property, expressed as a percentage. Lenders use this calculation to help assess your suitability for a home loan, and whether you need to pay lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI). As a general rule, most banks will require you to pay LMI if your loan-to-value ratio is 80 per cent or more. LVR is worked out by dividing the loan amount by the value of the property. If you are looking for a quick ball-park estimate of LVR, the size of your deposit is a good indicator as it is directly proportionate to your LVR. For instance, a loan with an LVR of 80 per cent requires a deposit of 20 per cent, while a 90 per cent LVR requires 10 per cent down payment.
LOAN AMOUNT / PROPERTY VALUE = LVR%
While this all sounds simple enough, it is worth doing a more accurate calculation of LVR before you commit to buying a place as there are some traps to be aware of. Firstly, the ‘loan amount’ is the price you paid for the property plus additional costs such as stamp duty and legal fees, minus your deposit amount. Secondly, the ‘property value’ is determined by your lender’s valuation of the property, not the price you paid for it, and sometimes these can differ so where possible, try and get your bank to evaluate the property before you put in an offer.
How do I know if I have to pay LMI?
Each lender has its own policies, but as a general rule you will have to pay lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI) if your loan-to-value ratio (LVR) exceeds 80 per cent. This applies whether you’re taking out a new home loan or you’re refinancing.
If you’re looking to buy a property, you can use this LMI calculator to work out how much you’re likely to be charged in LMI.
How much deposit do I need for a home loan from ANZ?
Like other mortgage lenders, ANZ often prefers a home loan deposit of 20 per cent or more of the property value when you’re applying for a home loan. It may be possible to get a home loan with a smaller deposit of 10 per cent or even 5 per cent, but there are a few reasons to consider saving a larger deposit if possible:
- A larger deposit tells a lender that you’re a great saver, which could help increase the chances of your home loan application getting approved.
- The more money you pay as a deposit, the less you’ll have to borrow in your home loan. This could mean paying off your loan sooner, and being charged less total interest.
- If your deposit is less than 20 per cent of the property value, you might incur additional costs, such as Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
What are the pros and cons of no-deposit home loans?
It’s no longer possible to get a no-deposit home loan in Australia. In some circumstances, you might be able to take out a mortgage with a 5 per cent deposit – but before you do so, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons.
The big advantage of borrowing 95 per cent (also known as a 95 per cent home loan) is that you get to buy your property sooner. That may be particularly important if you plan to purchase in a rising market, where prices are increasing faster than you can accumulate savings.
But 95 per cent home loans also have disadvantages. First, the 95 per cent home loan market is relatively small, so you’ll have fewer options to choose from. Second, you’ll probably have to pay LMI (lender’s mortgage insurance). Third, you’ll probably be charged a higher interest rate. Fourth, the more you borrow, the more you’ll ultimately have to pay in interest. Fifth, if your property declines in value, your mortgage might end up being worth more than your home.
How much deposit do I need for a home loan from NAB?
The right deposit size to get a home loan with an Australian lender will depend on the lender’s eligibility criteria and the value of your property.
Generally, lenders look favourably on applicants who save up a 20 per cent deposit for their property This also means applicants do not have to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). However, you may still be able to obtain a mortgage with a 10 - 15 per cent deposit.
Keep in mind that NAB is one of the participating lenders for the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, which allows eligible borrowers to buy a property with as low as a 5 per cent deposit without paying the LMI. The Federal Government guarantees up to 15 per cent of the deposit to help first-timers to become homeowners.
What is a secured home loan?
When the lender creates a mortgage on your property, they’re offering you a secured home loan. It means you’re offering the property as security to the lender who holds this security against the risk of default or any delays in home loan repayments. Suppose you’re unable to repay the loan. In this case, the lender can take ownership of your property and sell it to recover any outstanding funds you owe. The lender retains this hold over your property until you repay the entire loan amount.
If you take out a secured home loan, you may be charged a lower interest rate. The amount you can borrow depends on the property’s value and the deposit you can pay upfront. Generally, lenders allow you to borrow between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of the property value as the loan. Often, you’ll need Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) if the deposit is less than 20 per cent of the property value. Lenders will also do a property valuation to ensure you’re borrowing enough to cover the purchase.
How do I apply for a home improvement loan?
When you want to renovate your home, you may need to take out a loan to cover the costs. You could apply for a home improvement loan, which is a personal loan that you use to cover the costs of your home renovations. There is no difference between applying for this type of home improvement loan and applying for a standard personal loan. It would be best to check and compare the features, fees and details of the loan before applying.
Besides taking out a home improvement loan, you could also:
- Use the equity in your house: Equity is the difference between your property’s value and the amount you still owe on your home loan. You may be able to access this equity by refinancing your home loan and then using it to finance your home improvement. Speak with your lender or a mortgage broker about accessing your equity.
- Utilise the redraw facility of your home loan: Check whether the existing home loan has a redraw facility. A redraw facility allows you to access additional funds you’ve repaid into your home loan. Some lenders offer this on variable rate home loans but not on fixed. If this option is available to you, contact your lender to discuss how to access it.
- Apply for a construction loan: A construction loan is typically used when constructing a new property but can also be used as a home renovation loan. You may find that a construction loan is a suitable option as it enables you to draw funds as your renovation project progresses. You can compare construction home loans online or speak to a mortgage broker about taking out such a loan.
- Look into government grants: Check whether there are any government grants offered when you need the funds and whether you qualify. Initiatives like the HomeBuilder Grant were offered by the Federal Government for a limited period until April 2021. They could help fund your renovations either in full or just partially.
What is a low-deposit home loan?
A low-deposit home loan is a mortgage where you need to borrow more than 80 per cent of the purchase price – in other words, your deposit is less than 20 per cent of the purchase price.
For example, if you want to buy a $500,000 property, you’ll need a low-deposit home loan if your deposit is less than $100,000 and therefore you need to borrow more than $400,000.
As a general rule, you’ll need to pay LMI (lender’s mortgage insurance) if you take out a low-deposit home loan. You can use this LMI calculator to estimate your LMI payment.
Can I take a personal loan after a home loan?
Are you struggling to pay the deposit for your dream home? A personal loan can help you pay the deposit. The question that may arise in your mind is can I take a home loan after a personal loan, or can you take a personal loan at the same time as a home loan, as it is. The answer is that, yes, provided you can meet the general eligibility criteria for both a personal loan and a home loan, your application should be approved. Those eligibility criteria may include:
- Higher-income to show repayment capability for both the loans
- Clear credit history with no delays in bill payments or defaults on debts
- Zero or minimal current outstanding debt
- Some amount of savings
- Proven rent history will be positively perceived by the lenders
A personal loan after or during a home loan may impact serviceability, however, as the numbers can seriously add up. Every loan you avail of increases your monthly installments and the amount you use to repay the personal loan will be considered to lower the money available for the repayment of your home loan.
As to whether you can get a personal loan after your home loan, the answer is a very likely "yes", though it does come with a caveat: as long as you can show sufficient income to repay both the loans on time, you should be able to get that personal loan approved. A personal loan can also help to improve your credit score showing financial discipline and responsibility, which may benefit you with more favorable terms for your home loan.
Will I have to pay lenders' mortgage insurance twice if I refinance?
If your deposit was less than 20 per cent of your property’s value when you took out your original loan, you may have paid lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI) to cover the lender against the risk that you may default on your repayments.
If you refinance to a new home loan, but still don’t have enough deposit and/or equity to provide 20 per cent security, you’ll need to pay for the lender’s LMI a second time. This could potentially add thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in upfront costs to your mortgage, so it’s important to consider whether the financial benefits of refinancing may be worth these costs.
How do you determine which home loan rates/products I’m shown?
When you check your home loan rate, you’ll supply some basic information about your current loan, including the amount owing on your mortgage and your current interest rate.
We’ll compare this information to the home loan options in the RateCity database and show you which home loan products you may be eligible to apply for.
Can first home buyers apply for an ING home loan?
First home buyers can apply for an ING home loan, but first, they need to select the most suitable home loan product and calculate the initial deposit on their home loan.
First-time buyers can also use ING’s online tool to estimate the amount they can borrow. ING offers home loan applicants a free property report to look up property value estimates.
First home loan applicants struggling to understand the terms used may consider looking up ING’s first home buyer guide. Once the home buyer is ready to apply for the loan, they can complete an online application or call ING at 1800 100 258 during regular business hours.
How much deposit will I need to buy a house?
A deposit of 20 per cent or more is ideal as it’s typically the amount a lender sees as ‘safe’. Being a safe borrower is a good position to be in as you’ll have a range of lenders to pick from, with some likely to offer up a lower interest rate as a reward. Additionally, a deposit of over 20 per cent usually eliminates the need for lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI) which can add thousands to the cost of buying your home.
While you can get a loan with as little as 5 per cent deposit, it’s definitely not the most advisable way to enter the home loan market. Banks view people with low deposits as ‘high risk’ and often charge higher interest rates as a precaution. The smaller your deposit, the more you’ll also have to pay in LMI as it works on a sliding scale dependent on your deposit size.
Is a home equity loan secured or unsecured?
Home equity is the difference between its current market price and the outstanding balance on the mortgage loan. The amount you can borrow against the equity in your property is known as a home equity loan.
A home equity loan is secured against your property. It means the lender can recoup your property if you default on the repayments. A secured home equity loan is available at a competitive rate of interest and may be repaid over the long-term. Although a home equity loan is secured, lenders will assess your income, expenses, and other liabilities before approving your application. You’ll also want a good credit score to qualify for a home equity loan.
How can I avoid mortgage insurance?
Lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) can be avoided by having a substantial deposit saved up before you apply for a loan, usually around 20 per cent or more (or a LVR of 80 per cent or less). This amount needs to be considered genuine savings by your lender so it has to have been in your account for three months rather than a lump sum that has just been deposited.
Some lenders may even require a six months saving history so the best way to ensure you don’t end up paying LMI is to plan ahead for your home loan and save regularly.
Tip: You can use RateCity mortgage repayment calculator to calculate your LMI based on your borrowing profile
How much can I borrow with a guaranteed home loan?
Some lenders will allow you to borrow 100 per cent of the value of the property with a guaranteed home loan. For that to happen, the lender would have to feel confident in your ability to pay off the mortgage and in the security provided by your guarantor.
How do I apply for Westpac’s first home buyer loan?
If you’re a first home buyer looking to apply for a home loan with Westpac, they offer an online home loan application. They suggest the application can be completed in about 20 minutes. Based on the information you provide, Westpac will advise you the amount you can borrow and the costs associated with any possible home loan.
You can use Westpac’s online mortgage calculators to estimate your borrowing power. You can also work out the time it might take to save up for the deposit, and the size of your home loan repayments.
When applying for a home loan with Westpac, you’re assigned a home finance manager who can address your concerns and provide information. The manager will also offer guidance on any government grants you may be eligible for.
How much can I borrow with an ING reverse mortgage?
When you apply for an ING reverse mortgage, the loan amount depends on your home’s value and your age. Generally, as you grow older, the loan-to-value ratio (LVR) increases. Usually, 60-year old homeowners can borrow up to 20 per cent of the property value. In contrast, borrowers 70 years or older can borrow up to 30 per cent of the home’s value. The maximum LVR is limited to 45 per cent giving you an additional buffer if you require money in the future.
The government regulations impose certain limits on how much you can borrow against your home’s equity. The borrowed amount can’t exceed your home’s value, and you can only borrow a certain percentage of your property’s value.
Cash or mortgage – which is more suitable to buy an investment property?
Deciding whether to buy an investment property with cash or a mortgage is a matter or personal choice and will often depend on your financial situation. Using cash may seem logical if you have the money in reserve and it can allow you to later use the equity in your home. However, there may be other factors to think about, such as whether there are other debts to pay down and whether it will tie up all of your spare cash. Again, it’s a personal choice and may be worth seeking personal advice.
A mortgage is a popular option for people who don’t have enough cash in the bank to pay for an investment property. Sometimes when you take out a mortgage you can offset your loan interest against the rental income you may earn. The rental income can also help to pay down the loan.
When does Commonwealth Bank charge an early exit fee?
When you take out a fixed interest home loan with the Commonwealth Bank, you’re able to lock the interest for a particular period. If the rates change during this period, your repayments remain unchanged. If you break the loan during the fixed interest period, you’ll have to pay the Commonwealth Bank home loan early exit fee and an administrative fee.
The Early Repayment Adjustment (ERA) and Administrative fees are applicable in the following instances:
- If you switch your loan from fixed interest to variable rate
- When you apply for a top-up home loan
- If you repay over and above the annual threshold limit, which is $10,000 per year during the fixed interest period
- When you prepay the entire outstanding loan balance before the end of the fixed interest duration.
The fee calculation depends on the interest rates, the amount you’ve repaid and the loan size. You can contact the lender to understand more about what you may have to pay.