Buying your first home while you rent

When you buy your first property, it doesn’t have to be your forever home. In fact, it doesn’t even need to be your home at all. Rentvesting is becoming a more common way for people to enter the property market – but it comes with a few considerations.

2.5 minute read

What’s rentvesting?

Essentially, rentvesting is buying an investment property to rent to tenants while you continue to rent, stay at home with the folks or even travel overseas. The rental income you receive could be put towards your own rent, home loan repayments or other costs associated with owning your property.

Why rentvest?

Owning a property comes with the potential for capital growth – that is, the chance for the property to increase in value over time. If you’re not ready to put down roots or can’t yet afford to buy in an area you want to live, rentvesting could appeal to you as an alternative way to get on the property ladder and potentially take advantage of the benefits of capital growth.

Things to consider about rentvesting

It’s important to think long-term

Buying an investment property shouldn’t be a short-term plan. That’s why it’s important to consider how property investment fits into your future. If you’re looking to get married or have children, for example, you might not want to rent an apartment.

Find out more about why property is a long-term investment.

The extra costs of owning an investment property

Whether you live in your property or not, you need to make sure you can cover costs like your mortgage, rates, possible strata fees, utilities and house maintenance.

Make sure you’re covered with home insurance options for home owners, landlords and renters.

As a property investor, you might also need to consider things like property management fees, vacancy periods and tax implications.

It’s important you can still afford all these costs while you’re paying your own rent.

Your deposit and grants

The type of investment property you choose to buy might be smaller than the house you intend to live in one day. The benefit – your deposit might also be smaller, making it quicker and easier to save up.

However, being an investor means you lose out on access to certain government schemes to help first home buyers enter the market. The First Home Owners Grant and First Home Super Saver Scheme provided by the Australian Government are only available if you intend to live in your house. The grant is different per state and can change regularly. Make sure you read the specific details to make the best decision for you.

Getting an investor loan

When you buy a property specifically for investment, you’ll need to take out an investor loan. They generally have a higher interest rate. This means higher repayments.

Tax implications

Each tax year, you need to declare your rental income and deduct relevant expenses associated with your rental property.

These expenses can include:

  • Management and maintenance costs (like insurance and property management fees)
  • Interest on loans
  • Borrowing expenses (like stamp duty and loan fees)
  • Depreciating assets (like carpet and appliances).

Make sure you talk to an accountant to understand how owning a rental property can affect your tax in the long and short term.

Making your decision

Knowing what you want to achieve when you buy your first property – and understanding the different options – can set you up long term to reach your property and wealth goals. Everyone’s goals are different, so it’s important to consult an accountant or financial adviser to help understand which option might best suit you.

When it comes to buying a home, a Home Lending Specialist or Broker can help you with the finance and settlement process.

About this article

We take care of all the BS (bank stuff) so you can access the knowledge you need to make informed decisions. When we write a guide or article, we take steps to make sure the information is relevant, accurate and most of all, helpful.

Browse our range of home loans

...and find one to suit you.

Keep reading

To get a clear idea of your finances, you’ll need to consider your deposit capacity, disposable income and borrowing power.

Before you invest, make sure you understand the costs involved in purchasing and maintaining a second property.

Need help with an investment home loan?

Get in touch with a Home Lending Specialist, and they'll respond within one business day. You can talk on the phone, meet at a branch, or have a Mobile Lending Manager come to you.

The information contained in this article is of a general nature and is not intended to be nor should it be considered as professional advice. You should not act on the basis of anything contained in this article without first obtaining specific professional advice. Also to the extent permitted by law, Bankwest, a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL / Australian credit licence 234945, its related bodies corporate, employees and contractors accept no liability or responsibility to any persons for any loss which may be incurred or suffered as a result of acting on or refraining from acting as a result of anything contained in this article.