Buying a home requires financial commitments and trade-offs. This video explores what you need to sacrifice or adjust to own a home from saving a deposit, to managing cash flow during the mortgage repayment period, to the ongoing costs of homeownership beyond your home loan.

Costs and trade-offs of home ownership include:

• Saving for a deposit (and how much you need)

• Monthly mortgage repayments and impact on your budget

• Ongoing costs: rates, insurance, maintenance, utilities

• Reduced flexibility if you need to move or refinance

• Opportunity cost: money used for a home can't be invested elsewhere

Understanding the full picture of what homeownership involves helps you make a realistic decision about timing and affordability. It's not just about the mortgage—it's about whether home ownership fits your overall financial plan.

Learn more about our financial planning services to understand how home ownership fits your broader financial strategy.