Home Loan Affordability & Credit Guides
How much you can borrow depends on your income, existing debt, credit record and deposit — not just the property's price. These guides show how South African banks calculate your affordability cap, what a weak credit score does to your options, and how joint applications and guarantors change what you qualify for.
How banks calculate your affordability cap, income-to-bond examples, and what actually increases how much you qualify for.
Updated 03 Sept 20268 min read
No legal minimum salary exists for a South African home loan — banks cap your bond instalment at about 30% of gross income. Here is the salary each bond amount needs at the current prime rate.
Updated 12 Sept 20267 min read
No official minimum credit score exists for a South African home loan — banks use internal scorecards. Around 600–630+ is the commonly cited fair-chance band; here are the bureau bands, the free check, and a 90-day fix list.
Updated 13 Sept 20268 min read
No credit check home loans are not legal in South Africa — the NCA requires an affordability assessment. Here is what buyers with bad credit or blacklisted records can actually do.
Updated 13 Sept 20269 min read
Applying with a partner or co-buyer: combined income, joint and several liability, break-ups, death and the documents you both need.
Updated 04 Sept 20266 min read
What signing surety really means for the guarantor’s finances and credit record, what banks ask for, and the alternatives.
Updated 04 Sept 20266 min read