1. Apply for conditional pre-approval to search with confidence

  • Conditional pre-approval provides an estimate of how much you could borrow based on the information you provide to us. It is confirmation from us that you’re eligible to apply for a home loan up to a certain limit and helps you understand what you can afford without any obligation to take up the loan. This shows sellers you are serious about buying and that you are confident you can afford the property when making an offer.

    When providing conditional pre-approval, CommBank will consider your personal financial situation and the property price range you’re looking at. If something changes – your financial situation, for example – you can always update your conditional pre-approval.

    When you speak to a lender it is good to have an idea of the property price range you’re interested in, how much deposit you have saved, your income and current living expenses and any changes to your circumstance in the foreseeable future.

    1. To help you with the home loan process and to apply for conditional pre-approval, you can apply online, or make an appointment with a Home Lending Specialist 
    2. Your Home Lending Specialist can offer you a personalised suburb or property report if you have a preferred suburb or property. They’ll also estimate your upfront buying costs (e.g. stamp duty, legal fees)
    3. Once you have received conditional pre-approval, it’s time to start searching for your property

    Conditional pre-approval is valid for: 90 days.

2. Found your property? Apply for a home loan 

  • You can apply anytime online, or make an appointment with help from one of our Home Lending Specialists. They’ll let you know exactly what documents you’ll need for your application.

    1. If you’re buying at an auction, chat to your Home Lending Specialist about what’s required.
    2. Let your Home Lending Specialist know you’ve found your property.
    3. Gather all the necessary documents (e.g. payslips, bank statements).
    4. Connect with a solicitor or conveyancer who can help you with the contract and any other legal documents. Home-in are experienced conveyancers that offer great benefits with your CommBank home loan including fast contract reviews and an exclusive discount.

    Estimated time to complete home loan application: 10 minutes when you apply online.

3. Secure your property by signing the Contract of Sale & paying the deposit

  • Before signing the Contract of Sale, you need to negotiate your offer and conditions on the purchase of the property. Home-in provide step-by-step expert guidance and digital convenience to support you with these conversations so that when you (buyer) and the vendor (seller) are ready to sign the contract, you are comfortable with the selling price, settlement terms and any other conditions for the sale.

    Some things to do and look out for before signing the Contract of Sale:

    1. Arrange a property and pest inspection.
    2. Check with local and state governments about zoning and future developments that may affect the property.
    3. Check if there’s a cooling-off period for the contract.
    4. Sign the contract and pay the deposit – usually 5-10% of the property price.

4. Finalise your Home Loan and receive Formal Approval 

  • After signing the Contract of Sale this needs to be submitted to CommBank to complete any necessary and final checks (e.g. property valuation, credit checks, building documents). After this you will be provided formal approval within 1-5 business days and sent your loan offer documents to review and sign. Your Home Lending Specialist is there to help walk you through the documents and any questions you might have. Other steps to consider:

    1. Complete stamp duty forms (if applicable) – your solicitor or conveyancer will organise these.
    2. Look into home insurance options prior to settlement.

5. Settle & move in

  • Settlement is when the purchase of the property is completed, and it officially becomes yours. We will arrange a settlement date, time and location with your solicitor or conveyancer and notify you by SMS as soon as settlement is completed. What you need to do:

    1. Arrange a pre-settlement inspection with the seller’s real estate agent.
    2. Make sure you have enough money in your nominated CommBank transaction account 48 hours before the settlement date – your solicitor will advise how much you’ll need.
    3. Pick up your keys from the seller’s real estate agent after settlement!

    Estimated time from application to settlement: 4-6 weeks.

    Congratulations! You’ve bought the property.

Did you know?

You can start your home buying journey in the CommBank app – Home Hub. Access to guidance, tools and insights, from saving for your home loan through to the home buying process.

Our step-by-step home buying guide

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Things you should know

  • This advice has been prepared without taking your individual objectives, financial situation or needs into account. Before acting on this advice, you should consider whether it is appropriate to your circumstances. Applications for finance are subject to approval. Full terms and conditions will be included in the Bank’s loan offer. Home Insurance is provided and issued by Hollard Insurance Partners Limited ABN 96 067 524 216, AFSL 235030 (Hollard) and distributed by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (CBA). Hollard is not part of the CBA Group. CBA and its related entities do not sell, issue or guarantee the obligations or performance of Hollard or the products Hollard offers and this insurance product does not represent a deposit with or liability of either CBA or any of its related bodies corporate. If you purchase a Home Insurance policy, CBA is paid a commission which is a percentage of your premium. 

    For products issued by Hollard, information about the target market can be found within the product’s Target Market Determination available here.

    A Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) is available at all Commonwealth Bank branches, by downloading them from commbank.com.au or by calling 13 2423 and should be considered before making any decisions about this product. You should also read the Premium, Excess and Discount Guide (PEDG), Key Facts Sheers (KFS) and Financial Services Guide (FSG) by clicking on the links, or by calling 13 2423 for a paper copy.

    Our staff may receive payments for business they refer to other persons in the Bank who specialise in certain products and/ or services and may be eligible for prizes including overseas travel and gift vouchers. Our staff may also receive benefits such as tickets to sporting and cultural events, corporate promotional merchandise or other similar benefits from product providers whose products they may sell or for business they may refer to product providers. We may receive commission for the sale of Home Insurance provided by Hollard. The commission amount ranges from 0% to 15% of the premium paid (excluding government charges). . Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL and Australian credit licence 234945. Registered office: Ground Floor, Tower 1, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000.