Unlock Homeownership Faster: Low and No-Deposit Mortgages for Australians

Whilst low and no deposit loans are expensive and largely unavailable there are newer options that do away with expensive LMI and spending years saving for a deposit, but they aren't for everyone.

Navigating Low Deposit Home Loans: A Faster Path to Homeownership

The homeownership rate among Australians aged 25 to 34 has dropped by over 25% since 1981. A significant barrier to owning a home today is the upfront costs. Most traditional home loans, especially those with an 80% Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR), require a 20% deposit. In addition to this, buyers must cover expenses such as stamp duty, taxes, and registration fees, which can push the upfront costs well beyond $200,000.

Without a 20% deposit, borrowers typically need to purchase Lenders mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can add thousands to the total cost. Additionally, many lenders impose higher interest rates on low or no-deposit loans, making the process even more challenging.

Introducing OwnHome: A Solution for Low Deposit Home Loans

For those looking to buy a home but struggling to save a full 20% deposit, OwnHome offers an innovative solution through its Deposit Boost Loan. This product is designed to assist buyers in securing a low deposit home loan without the need to rely on the “Bank of Mum and Dad.”

The OwnHome Deposit Boost Loan covers the 20% deposit typically required by lenders, allowing buyers to pair it with a standard 80% LVR home loan from any other lender. This reduces the need for costly LMI and provides access to better interest rates compared to typical low deposit or no-deposit home loans.

Key Benefits of OwnHome for Low Deposit Home Loans

By using the OwnHome Deposit Boost Loan to secure a low deposit home loan, buyers can take advantage of several benefits, including:

  • Minimal Upfront Costs: The Deposit Boost Loan eliminates the need for a full 20% deposit upfront. Instead, buyers only need to pay a 2% starter fee (plus GST, stamp duty, and conveyancing costs).
  • No Lenders Mortgage Insurance: Since the 80% LVR home loan does not require LMI, buyers save thousands of dollars.
  • Competitive Interest Rates: Unlike other low deposit home loan options, this solution provides access to the same favorable rates as traditional 20% deposit loans.

How Shwe and Vrunda Achieved Homeownership with a Low Deposit Home Loan

A perfect example of how the Deposit Boost Loan can support buyers is the story of Shwe and Vrunda. After moving to Australia in 2020, they struggled to save for a deposit while managing everyday expenses. Despite earning good salaries, they found it difficult to accumulate enough for a standard 20% deposit to secure a home loan.

With the help of OwnHome's Deposit Boost Loan, they were able to buy a three-bedroom home in Sydney's Epping suburb, paying just a 2% starter fee. This significantly reduced their upfront costs, and the couple was able to secure an 80% LVR home loan without needing LMI. They found that the structured repayments made it easier to manage their finances and save for other expenses.

Why Low Deposit Home Loans Are Crucial in Today’s Market

In the last year, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) saw a 5.1% increase, the largest surge since 2000. This rising cost of living has made saving for a 20% deposit more challenging. By the time many buyers reach that goal, home prices have risen further, making it even more difficult to afford their dream home.

A low deposit home loan option like the OwnHome Deposit Boost Loan allows buyers to enter the market sooner, avoiding the lengthy process of saving for a full deposit. The 2% starter fee significantly lowers the upfront costs, providing a much faster route to homeownership.

How the OwnHome Deposit Boost Loan Works

The OwnHome Deposit Boost Loan streamlines the process of securing a low deposit home loan. Buyers can start by obtaining pre-approval online and then submit a formal application with proof of income and other financial documents. Once pre-approved, a licensed OwnHome buyer’s agent will help you select a property and navigate the purchasing process.

OwnHome’s buyer’s agents provide expert advice on property selection, market appraisals, negotiations, and auction strategies. This service is included in the 2% starter fee, saving buyers additional costs that would typically be incurred by hiring a separate buyer’s agent.

Cost Savings with Low Deposit Home Loans

The OwnHome Deposit Boost Loan offers significant cost savings compared to traditional low deposit home loan options. Here's how:

  • No LMI: Because the Deposit Boost Loan covers the 20% deposit required for an 80% LVR mortgage, buyers avoid paying LMI, which is typically required when deposits are below 20%.
  • Lower Interest Rates: Most low deposit home loans come with higher interest rates. However, with the Deposit Boost Loan, buyers gain access to the lower rates of traditional 20% deposit home loans.
  • Faster Homeownership: Buyers can enter the property market sooner, allowing them to start building equity and benefiting from property appreciation much earlier.

Is a Low Deposit Home Loan Right for You?

The OwnHome Deposit Boost Loan is an excellent option for those with a stable income and good credit history who are struggling to save a full deposit in today’s market. With access to lower interest rates, no LMI, and the support of licensed buyer’s agents, it’s a compelling alternative to other low deposit home loan options.

To be eligible, you must have sufficient income to service both the Deposit Boost Loan and the 80% LVR mortgage, and an excellent credit history. You'll also need to cover the 2% starter fee and other associated costs such as stamp duty and conveyancing fees.

Conclusion: Consider OwnHome for Your Low Deposit Home Loan

In today’s competitive housing market, securing a low deposit home loan can be challenging, but OwnHome offers a streamlined solution that eliminates the need for a 20% deposit and expensive LMI. By opting for the Deposit Boost Loan, you can enter the market faster, avoid high upfront costs, and benefit from competitive interest rates.

If you’re considering a low deposit home loan, speak to your UNO broker to explore the OwnHome Deposit Boost Loan and compare it with other options available in the market. This tailored guidance will help you decide if this innovative product is the right fit for your homeownership goals.

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Catherine Merrett
November 6, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
My husband and I were incredibly nervous heading into the home-buying process. As first-time property investors, it felt like a monumental decision, and the learning curve seemed steep. However, Andrew Wyers and the entire team at UNO Home Loans completely changed our perspective. They made the process so much more enjoyable than we ever anticipated—it was surprisingly exhilarating! Andrew's exceptional communication was key. At moments when we felt uncertain or stressed (especially while juggling other life commitments), his guidance immediately put our minds at ease. We knew we were in safe hands with the UNO team and quickly learned to trust the process entirely, allowing us to learn along the way. Feeling guided through each step made a daunting task enjoyable, and within a matter of a couple of short months, we had achieved our goal: we were homeowners! Thank you so much to Andrew Wyers and the entire UNO Home Loans team for making this huge milestone a genuinely positive and seamless experience.
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Margaret Giles
November 1, 2025
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Due to complications arising from processes and forms required by the lender, what should have been a simple process became super complicated. UNO Home Loans dealt with everything with calm and serenity and professionalism.
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David Norman
October 31, 2025
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Outstanding service with almost daily check Ins to help us navigate a very complex process, thank you so much to Paul and team for your highly professional but also personal service to help us achieve our first home purchase in Australia. I highly Recommend Paul Davey for helping to achieve your next property purchase.
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October 31, 2025
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Paul was so helpful throughout the whole process of house purchase. We highly recommend his service :)
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Beth Wells
October 29, 2025
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Paul and the team at UNO Home Loans have been absolutely amazing, helpful and transparent during the process of purchasing our home. This team has made buying a house an absolute breeze. It has been a 9 year goal for my family and I to get back into the market and from the first zoom call with Paul all the way to settlement I have felt taken care of and at ease. I am so excited to be in our own home and am very grateful for how easy UNO made the experience. UNO offered great communication, clear instructions and got the job done. Thank you Paul and the UNO team. I will definitely be using these services again.
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Mark Russell
October 27, 2025
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Working with Scott Wilkinson at UNO Home Loans was a genuine pleasure. We used Scott to refinance our home loan and to structure an investment property loan. Both experiences were excellent from start to finish. Scott provided high quality advice, quick turnaround times and sharp pricing outcomes. Nothing was too much trouble. I look forward to using Scott’s services again and highly recommend to others.
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Rudy Seubelan
October 25, 2025
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Scott and the entire team at UNO has been skilfully in helping and assisted with my complex property financing structure in a such short time frame to execute my first investment property. He has engineered a powerful strategy to accelerate my investment property purchase while ‘Optimising’ my financial position efficiently. I couldn’t be happier with experience. They made the whole process smooth and willing to go extra mile to get me best deal possible. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for reliable and professional broker.
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October 22, 2025
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Jonathon Tanner
October 20, 2025
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If only we could leave 10 stars... We've worked with Scott Wilkinson from Uno on the purchase of our principal place of residence, as well as a recently completed investment property. Scott was excellent throughout the entire process. He's got great communication, works incredibly hard and did everything he could to negotiate us the best deal. As business owners, the investment property was particularly complex and tricky to navigate. Scott helped us from start to finish and ensured we could maximise our borrowing capacity as well as secure a competitive rate. We've got nothing but amazing things to say about the guy and would highly recommend him to anyone considering buying property.
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Gabe Windsor
October 18, 2025
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Mike Parsons at UNO is absolutely fantastic to work with. He makes the entire home loan and refinancing process so easy and stress-free. Mike is incredibly responsive, proactive with follow-ups, and always goes the extra mile to make sure everything runs smoothly. He takes on all the heavy lifting and explains things clearly every step of the way. A great communicator who genuinely cares about getting the best outcome for his clients. Mike is my go-to mortgage broker, and I’ll continue to use his services for years to come. Highly recommend!
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Kirstie Jenner
October 9, 2025
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I honestly couldn’t recommend Paul Davey from Uno enough. He went above and beyond to get my pre-approval sorted, even with my tricky circumstances. He guided me through the whole process right through to settlement day and made everything so easy and stress-free. If you need a mortgage broker who actually cares and knows their stuff, he’s the one to call! Epic Service!
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Pensive “Li” Pen
September 9, 2025
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10/10 Stars Fantastic experience with Mike Parsons (and his team). Mike was quick to respond, explained everything clearly, and secured us a great rate with cashback. The whole refinance process was smooth and stress-free. Mike went above and beyond for us and exceeded all my expectations. 10 out of 10 Stars. Highly recommend!
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