Home Loan Affordability Calculator South Africa 2026
Find out how much you can afford to borrow for a home
This calculator provides estimates only. Actual affordability depends on your credit profile and the lender's assessment.
What the banks will actually lend you
South African banks work from a disposable-income test, not a single multiple of salary. The rule of thumb they apply in practice is that total debt repayments — bond, car, credit card, personal loan, student loan — should not exceed about 30% of gross monthly income, and the bond itself about 25–30%. Above that, the application starts to depend on credit score, deposit size and the strength of your banking history with that bank.
Worked example — R30 000 gross a month
R30 000 gross, no other debt, 10% deposit
- Affordable instalment at 30% of gross: R9 000 a month
- At 11,25% over 20 years, that instalment supports a loan of about R857 000
- Add a 10% deposit of R95 000 and the purchase price is about R952 000
- Transfer duty on R952 000: nil (below R1 210 000)
- Add roughly R45 000 of conveyancing and bond registration costs, which the bank will want to see you can fund from your own cash
The costs that sink an application
| Cost | Typical amount | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer duty | 0% below R1 210 000, then 3%+ | Buyer, within 6 months of transfer |
| Conveyancing fees | R25 000 – R45 000 | Buyer |
| Bond registration | R20 000 – R30 000 | Buyer |
| Initiation fee | Capped by the NCA, often capitalised | Buyer |
| Deposit | 0% – 20%, higher improves the rate | Buyer |
| Homeowner’s insurance | R600 – R1 500 a month | Buyer, compulsory |
How to raise the number before you apply
- Clear revolving debt first — a R3 000 credit card repayment reduces affordable bond by roughly R280 000, because the bank prices the repayment, not the balance.
- Save a real deposit — 10% typically improves the rate by 0,25–0,5%, worth more over 20 years than the deposit costs in lost interest.
- Do not move banks in the three months before applying — the affordability model leans on three months of salary credits into one account.
- Get a pre-approval before you shop — it defines your ceiling and makes an offer credible in a market where sellers see several.
Affordability is not the same as affordability
A bank approving R9 000 a month does not mean R9 000 is comfortable. Add rates, levies, homeowner’s insurance, maintenance at roughly 1% of property value a year, and the commute. A household spending 35% of gross on housing has very little room for a rate rise — and South African rates move. Test your budget against an instalment 2% higher before you commit to the maximum the bank offers.
Joint applications and surety
Two applicants are assessed on combined income and combined debt, and both credit records. A partner with a poor record can reduce the approved amount even with a higher joint income. Where a parent stands surety, their debt becomes part of the assessment and their estate is exposed if you default — put the arrangement in writing and understand that a surety is not a formality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bond Affordability
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How the home loan affordability calculator works
Banks do not lend on a salary multiple. They work from disposable income after existing debt, then apply a stress test at a higher rate than the one you are quoted.
On R30 000 gross with no other debt, a bond instalment of about 30% — R9 000 — is the practical ceiling. At 11,25% over 20 years that instalment supports a loan of roughly R857 751.
Add a car instalment of R4 500 and the affordable bond instalment drops to about R7 650, which supports roughly R729 088 — a difference of about R128 663 in purchase price.
What changes the answer in South Africa
The National Credit Act requires a affordability assessment, so the bank looks at bank statements, existing credit, and living expenses. A deposit of 10% usually improves the rate by 0,25 to 0,5 percentage points. Budget separately for transfer duty, conveyancing of roughly R25 000 to R45 000, and bond registration of R20 000 to R30 000.
Common questions about the home loan affordability calculator
How much can I borrow on my salary?
Roughly the loan supported by an instalment of 25–30% of gross income. On R30 000 that is a bond of about R857 751.
Do I need a deposit?
Not legally, but 100% bonds carry a higher rate. A 10% deposit reduces the bank's risk and usually pays for itself over the term.
Do other debts really reduce what I can borrow?
Yes, rand for rand against the instalment. R4 500 of car repayment removes about R428 875 of borrowing capacity.