Deposit Calculator
Calculate the deposit needed for a home loan or car finance in South Africa. See how your deposit size affects your monthly repayment and total interest paid.
Quick Calculator Get a fast estimate
R
A larger deposit lowers your bond amount and monthly repayment.
%
Deposit Required
R 150 000
Bond Amount
R 1 350 000
Monthly Bond Repayment
R 14 630
Total Interest with Deposit
R 2 161 211
Interest Saved vs No Deposit
R 240 135
Property Price
R 1 500 000
Deposit Percentage
10.00%
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Deposit Impact on Bond (R1.5m Property, 20yr, 11.75%)
| Deposit % | Bond Amount | Monthly Payment | Total Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | R1,500,000 | ~R16,010 | ~R2,402,000 |
| 10% | R1,350,000 | ~R14,409 | ~R2,158,000 |
| 20% | R1,200,000 | ~R12,808 | ~R1,914,000 |
| 30% | R1,050,000 | ~R11,207 | ~R1,680,000 |
The Extended Calculator models home and car deposit scenarios. The Professional Calculator includes SA transfer duties and full bond registration costs.
Need more detail?
Extended Calculator More options, charts, and scenario comparison
R
%
%
Deposit: R 150 000 (10.0%)
Save R 240 135
Monthly with deposit
R 14 630
Monthly without deposit
R 16 256
Monthly saving
R 1 626
LTV ratio
90.0%
SA tip: A 10% deposit on R 1 500 000 is R 150 000. SA banks generally require 10-20% deposit. A larger deposit may unlock a lower interest rate. Transfer duties also apply on properties above R1,100,000.
Saving for a Deposit
Growing a deposit for a home is one of the most common South African financial goals. Tips for saving faster:
- Open a dedicated notice or fixed deposit account specifically for your deposit savings.
- Set up an automatic monthly transfer on payday before you can spend it.
- Consider a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) for tax-free interest growth.
- Aim for at least 12-15% of purchase price to cover deposit + transfer costs.
Transfer duty reminder: First-time buyers pay no transfer duty on properties below R1,100,000 (2025/2026). Above this, SARS transfer duty applies — budget an additional R20,000-R60,000 for mid-range properties.
Need full precision?
Professional Calculator Complete parameters, sensitivity analysis, and detailed breakdown
Property Details
R
%
%
Total Cash Required (deposit + costs)
R 181 800
Deposit (10.0%)
R 150 000
Transfer Duty
R 12 000
Bond Registration
R 8 050
Conveyancing (est)
R 11 750
Monthly Bond
R 14 630
Total Interest
R 2 161 211
Deposit vs LTV Analysis
| Deposit | Deposit Amount | Rate | Monthly | Total Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | R 75 000 | 11.8% | R 15 443 | R 2 281 278 |
| 10% | R 150 000 | 11.8% | R 14 630 | R 2 161 211 |
| 15% | R 225 000 | 11.7% | R 13 762 | R 2 027 897 |
| 20% | R 300 000 | 11.6% | R 12 901 | R 1 896 160 |
| 30% | R 450 000 | 11.5% | R 11 198 | R 1 637 403 |
Savings Plan to Reach Deposit
R
R
%
%
SA property ~5-8% p.a.
Time to Save R 181 800
1.9 years
Inflated price at that point
R 1 662 105
Inflated deposit needed
R 166 211
Property price inflation means the target grows while you save. Consider a TFSA or fixed deposit for your deposit savings to beat inflation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most South African banks prefer a 10% deposit, though 100% bonds are possible for qualifying applicants. A 10% deposit on a R1.5m home is R150,000. A 20% deposit significantly improves your chances of approval, may get you a better interest rate, and saves substantial interest over the loan term.
Yes — directly proportionally. A 10% deposit on a R1.5m property means a R1.35m bond. A 20% deposit means a R1.2m bond — R150,000 less to finance. At 11.75% over 20 years, this reduces your monthly payment by about R1,600 and saves over R380,000 in total interest.
Financial advisors recommend at least 10-20% deposit on a vehicle. A 20% deposit on a R350,000 car (R70,000) reduces monthly payments and ensures you are not immediately "underwater" as the car depreciates. Cars lose 15-25% of value in the first year.