Affordability
What Can I Actually Afford?
Before you fall in love with a listing, it helps to know your realistic price range. Here's how affordability works in South Africa — and a calculator to give you a quick estimate.
The single most useful thing you can do early on is understand what a bank is likely to lend you. It stops you wasting time on homes out of reach, strengthens your offer when you find the right one, and protects you from overcommitting to a repayment you'll struggle with later.
How banks decide what you can afford
South African lenders generally allow around 30% of your gross (before-tax) monthly income to go toward your bond repayment. They then subtract your existing monthly debt — car finance, personal loans, credit cards and store accounts — because those commitments reduce what's left for a home loan.
- A bigger deposit lowers the amount you need to borrow and can earn you a better interest rate.
- A longer loan term lowers the monthly repayment but means you pay more interest overall.
- Your credit score heavily influences both whether you're approved and the rate you're offered.
Estimate your price range
Use the calculator below as a starting point. Adjust the interest rate and term to see how they change what you could afford. Remember this is an estimate, not a pre-approval.
Your numbers
Estimated home price
R 515 241
Estimated bond
R 415 241
Monthly repayment
R 4 500
An estimate only, based on lenders allowing roughly 30% of gross income toward a bond repayment. Your actual approval depends on your credit profile, affordability assessment and the bank.
Zebby informs and coordinates — the decisions, and the offer, always stay yours.
What the estimate doesn't include
The figure above is the property price you might afford — but buying a home has upfront costs on top of the price, like transfer duty, bond registration and attorney fees. Budget for these early so they don't catch you out. We break them all down in our guide to the true cost of buying a home.
From estimate to a firm budget
An online estimate is a great first step, but a formal pre-approval from a bond originator gives you a real, bankable number — and sellers take pre-approved buyers more seriously. If you'd like help getting there, a Scetra specialist can point you in the right direction.
Want a real pre-approval, not just an estimate?
A specialist can connect you with a bond originator to get properly pre-approved, so you shop with confidence and a firm budget. Start with the short questionnaire.
Get pre-approval helpThis guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Your Scetra specialist can help you apply it to your specific purchase.