Buying property: where to start
Your budget, the help you qualify for, and every step from pre-approval to the keys.
Free to read and use, no sign-up.
Start here
- First home buyersGrants, duty concessions and federal schemes by stateOpen
- Buying your next homeUpgrading, and the timing of a sale and a purchaseOpen
- InvestingYield, growth, tax and holding costsOpen
- DownsizingCosts, super contributions and timingOpen
- Buyer’s agentsWhat they do, what they charge, and whether you need oneOpen
Run your numbers
Drag the sliders and the answer updates as you go. Nothing you enter leaves this page.
Stamp duty
$10,900
After $8,675 of first home relief
No duty up to $700,000, reduced duty below $800,000
Rates checked against each revenue office, 30 September 2026. Excludes foreign buyer surcharges and transfer fees.
Buying, stage by stage
The tools and guides that matter at each point, in order.
Stage 1
Budget and schemes
Know what a lender might lend, what you can comfortably repay, and the costs on top of the deposit.
Stage 2
Finance
Pre-approval sets your real price range. Know what it covers, what it doesn’t, and when it expires.
Stage 3
Searching and inspecting
Use the same checklist every time, and judge prices against what similar homes actually sold for.
Stage 4
Offer, contract and settlement
Set your limit first, know your state’s contract rules, and prepare differently for an auction.
Who works for whom
The agent at the open home works for the seller. That’s not a criticism: it’s their job, and it’s why you should judge every price guide against real sales.
Selling agent
A licensed real estate agent who acts for you, the seller: appraises the property, markets it, negotiates with buyers and manages the sale up to exchange.
Buyer’s agent
A licensed agent who acts only for you, the buyer. A selling agent works for the vendor and is paid to get the best price for them; a buyer’s agent is paid by you to find, assess and negotiate for you.
What buyer’s agents do and costIf you want someone on your side
A licensed agent who acts only for you, the buyer. A selling agent works for the vendor and is paid to get the best price for them; a buyer’s agent is paid by you to find, assess and negotiate for you.
Ask about a buyer’s agentWhat they charge: Buyer’s agents charge you directly: often a fixed fee (about $10,000 to $18,000 in capital cities for a full search) or 1.5% to 3% of the purchase price, sometimes with an upfront engagement fee. Auction bidding alone costs much less. Ask for the full fee in writing before you sign.
Where we can help: We’re still building our network of buyer’s agents, so we can’t promise an introduction in your state yet. Our team reads every request and will email you within one business day to say whether we can introduce someone, and if not, how to choose one yourself.
How we’re paid: Our introductions are free for you. The agent we introduce you to pays us a fee for the introduction, whether or not you go ahead with them. It doesn’t change what you pay them, and you’re never obliged to use them. The full detail
Reading this page, using a calculator or downloading a guide never passes your details to anyone. An introduction needs its own yes.
Common questions
What’s the difference between a selling agent and a buyer’s agent?
A selling agent acts for the vendor and is paid by the vendor to get the best price for them. A buyer’s agent acts only for you, the buyer, and you pay their fee. At an open home, the agent you meet works for the seller.
Do I need a buyer’s agent?
Most people buy without one. A buyer’s agent can help if you’re buying somewhere you don’t know, from interstate, at a higher price, or if you’re short on time or uncomfortable negotiating or bidding. Weigh their fee against those benefits, and get it in writing.
If I download the buying guide or make a plan, will an agent contact me?
No. Guides, calculators and plans never pass your details to anyone. An introduction only happens if you ask for one on our help form and tick the permission box.
Does using Your Property Guide cost anything?
No. The guides, tools and plans are free. If you ask us to introduce you to a buyer’s agent and we can, the agent pays us for the introduction. You agree the agent’s own fee directly with them.