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Buying a home in South Africa: the numbers

Two numbers decide what you can buy: how big a bond a bank will grant you, and the cash you need upfront. Banks size your bond on a repayment of roughly 30% of your gross income, then run an affordability check against your expenses and credit record. On top of the deposit, you'll pay transfer duty (free under R1.21 million), plus bond-registration, conveyancing-attorney and deeds-office fees.

Once you have the bond, the single best move is to pay a little extra each month. Early in the term most of your payment is interest, so even a small extra amount goes straight to the capital — cutting years off the loan and saving a large amount of interest.

Frequently asked questions

How much home loan can I qualify for in South Africa?

As a rule of thumb, banks allow a bond repayment of up to about 30% of your gross monthly income, subject to an affordability check on your expenses and credit profile. Use the qualification calculator to estimate the bond and property price you could afford.

How much is transfer duty on a house?

Transfer duty is free on the first R1,210,000 of the price, then charged on a sliding scale up to 13%. The Transfer Duty calculator works out the exact amount on the 2026/2027 SARS table.

Does paying extra into my bond help?

A lot. Even a small extra payment each month cuts years off your bond and saves significant interest, because more of each payment goes to the capital. The extra-payment calculator shows your exact rand and time saving.