Home Loan Calculator
Work out your monthly bond repayment, total interest over the life of the loan, and the upfront costs — transfer duty, conveyancing and bond registration — that catch most first-time buyers off-guard.
Bond Repayment Calculator
Prime 10.25% · May 2026
R300kR10m
5 yr30 yr
Monthly bond repayment
R13 252 /mo
On a loan of R1 350 000 over 20 years
Total to repay
R3 180 525
Total interest
R1 830 525
+1% rate
R14 165/mo
-1% rate
R12 364/mo
Upfront costs you'll pay on top of the deposit
| Cost | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | R150 000 | Seller / bank trust |
| Transfer duty Properties under R1.21m pay no duty | R8 700 | SARS |
| Transfer attorney fees | ~R21 500 | Conveyancing attorney |
| Bond registration fees | ~R18 500 | Bond attorney |
| Total upfront cost | R198 700 |
Transfer duty bands per the SARS 2026/27 schedule. Conveyancing fees are estimates based on the Law Society guideline tariff — your attorney will quote exact figures. Bond initiation fees of R6,037 (FNB, Standard Bank) and bond registration deeds office levies (~R1,400) are not shown.
Tips to cut your bond cost
- · Apply to multiple banks via a bond originator (BetterBond, ooba, MyBond). They submit to 4+ banks at once; banks compete for your business and you can get prime −1 or better.
- · Pay even one extra R500/month into your bond. On a R1m bond over 20 years at prime, this saves ~R200,000 in interest and 3 years off the term.
- · Use a flexi/access facility. Park your emergency fund inside the bond instead of in a 7% savings account — it offsets interest at the full bond rate.
- · Don't get talked into a 30-year bond. 30 years is rare in SA but where offered it's a trap — the extra 10 years of interest doubles the total cost.
Frequently asked questions
What is the prime rate in South Africa in 2026?+
Prime is currently 10.25%. It's calculated as the SARB repo rate (6.75% in May 2026) plus a 3.5% bank margin. Most home loans are quoted at "prime plus X" or "prime minus X" depending on your credit profile.
How much deposit do I need for a home loan?+
You can get a 100% bond (no deposit) if you have a strong credit profile and earn above R30k a month. With a 10% deposit you'll qualify for a better interest rate. With 20% you'll get the bank's best advertised rate.
What are transfer costs in South Africa?+
Two big costs on top of the deposit: transfer duty paid to SARS (only on properties above R1.21 million in 2026), and conveyancing fees paid to the transferring and bond-registration attorneys. Together they typically add 8–12% of the purchase price to your upfront cost.
Can I include transfer costs in my bond?+
Some banks offer "costs included" bonds where you borrow an extra amount to cover transfer duty and fees. You pay interest on the extra borrowed amount for 20 years, so it's usually cheaper to pay them upfront if you can.
Should I take a 20-year or 30-year bond?+
A 30-year bond is rare in SA — most banks offer 20 years maximum. A 25-year bond drops the monthly by ~5% but costs roughly 20% more in total interest over the life of the loan. Take the shortest term you can comfortably afford.
Should I pay extra into my bond?+
Yes — even small monthly overpayments cut total interest dramatically. R500 a month extra on a R1m bond at prime over 20 years saves you roughly R200,000 in interest and shortens the bond by ~3 years. Most banks allow extra payments without penalty.
Sources
- · SARS Transfer Duty schedule for the 2027 tax year.
- · South African Reserve Bank — repo rate decisions, May 2026.
- · Banking Association SA prime lending rate (10.25%, May 2026).
- · Law Society of SA guideline conveyancing tariff.
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