What costs sit outside the deposit?

A practical checklist for legal, inspection, valuation, insurance, ownership, and post-settlement costs.

General education only
For first-home buyersReviewed 15 August 2026General information

Before an offer

Allow for legal advice, inspections, and reports needed to understand the property. The timing matters because some costs arise before an offer becomes unconditional.

At settlement

Legal and registration work, insurance, rates adjustments, body-corporate charges, moving, and lender or product costs may all need to be considered.

After settlement

Budget for repairs, rates, body corporate, furnishing, insurance excesses, and a reserve for unexpected costs. Exact amounts depend on the property and provider.

Illustrative example

Rina has enough for the target deposit but little left afterward. Her planning question is whether the household retains enough resilience for an urgent repair or temporary income disruption.

Evidence categories to organise

  • Legal costs
  • Inspection and valuation
  • Insurance
  • Rates and body corporate
  • Moving and setup
  • Emergency reserve

Continue the preparation path

Next steps

This guide is general information only. MoreGage does not provide regulated financial advice, a lending assessment, approval, or an offer.