About this calculator
A deposit calculator splits a property purchase price into the deposit you'll put down and the bond you'll need to finance. Enter the property price and the deposit either as a percentage or as a Rand amount, and the calculator shows the resulting loan amount you'll need.
In South Africa, a 10% deposit has traditionally been the target for the best interest rates. Banks price bonds relative to loan-to-value (LTV): a 90% LTV bond typically prices below a 100% LTV bond, so a bigger deposit saves you interest over the life of the loan as well as reducing the principal.
That said, many first-time buyers with strong credit successfully secure 100% bonds — the deposit isn't strictly required, though it does open access to better rates. Remember that the deposit is only part of the upfront cash: you also need transfer duty (see our SARS calculator), attorney fees, bond registration costs and Deeds Office charges, which together can add 8–12% on top of the deposit for a residential purchase.
How to use it
- 1Enter the property price. The agreed purchase price of the property.
- 2Enter the deposit percentage. The share of the price you'll pay upfront.
- 3Read the deposit amount. The Rand deposit you need in cash.
- 4Read the loan amount. The bond principal you'll need to finance.