Understanding the home loan process

couple sold house

Getting a home loan can seem complex, even if you’ve bought property before. Here are the most common steps from application to settlement.

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

  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. Ask your Home Lending Specialist for a personalised property report for your preferred suburb or property. They’ll also estimate your upfront buying costs (e.g. stamp duty, legal fees)
  3. Once you’ve received conditional pre-approval, it’s time to start searching for your property

Conditional pre-approval is valid for: 90 days.

Start your home buying journey, right in the Commbank app – visit Home Hub for more information.

2. Found your property? Apply for a home loan

  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. Find a solicitor or conveyancer who can help you with the contract and any other legal documents.

Estimated time to complete home loan application: 10 minutes – 48 hours

3. Secure your property & pay the deposit

  1. Arrange a property and pest inspection
  2. Check with local and state governments about zoning and future developments that may affect your home
  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. Your home loan’s been approved, so it’s time to sign

  1. Complete stamp duty forms (if applicable) – your solicitor or conveyancer will organise this
  2. Review your loan documents, either in person with your Home Lending Specialist or with our digital documents service. You will need to sign the loan documents
  3. Look into home insurance options prior to settlement.

Estimated time for home loan approval (once documents submitted): 1-5 business days

5. Settle & move in

  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

Estimated time from application to settlement: 4-6 weeks

Congratulations! You’ve bought your home

Each home buying journey is different. Your Home Lending Specialist is there to guide you through these steps and help with anything specific to your situation.

Our step-by-step home buying guide

Compare home loans

Message us 24/7

Get help from Ceba in the CommBank app or connect with a specialist who can message you back. You’ll need CommBank app notifications turned on so you know when you’ve received a reply.

Get help

We're here to help

Book an appointment

Book instantly to speak to a Home Loan Specialist at a time that suits you.

Manage your loan online

Redraw, change your repayments or loan type to better meet your needs and more.

Contact us

Fast-track your call, see expected wait times and connect with a specialist in the CommBank app.

Message us

Get instant help from our virtual assistant or chat to a specialist.

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.

QUICK LINKS

ABOUT US

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

CommBank acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia as the continuing custodians of Country and Culture. We pay our respect to First Nations peoples and their Elders, past and present.

© 2024 Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL and Australian credit licence 234945