What to consider in the first 12 months

Download and register for Keystart app to track your progress

Our app allows you to check in on your home's estimated value and your loan balance. The app helps you see when you may be able to refinance - and move on to another lender who may offer lower interest rates and other benefits. It's a breakup for the best, we promise. When the time comes, your home loan journey will continue without us.

You can also:

• check your transactions,
• set up additional payments easily and securely,
• get reminders of upcoming payments and statements, and
• access financial resources and tips to put you in control of your home loan.

Set up your financial wellbeing

Home ownership is a journey and like any journey - there can be unexpected ups and downs along the way. Checking in on your financial wellbeing regularly can provide incredible insight into how you feel about money and can set you up for success.

• We have created two interactive financial wellbeing tools that we encourage you to use - they a fun, quick way to reflect on how you are feeling. Try the Money Mindset quiz and the Wheel of Wellbeing. 
• We also offer a free, independent. confidential financial wellbeing service for our customers to help you reach your own financial goals. Find out more.
  

Have your contact details changed?

Have any of your personal details changed? Do you have a new mobile number or email address? It's important to keep your contact details up to date. You can update these yourself in the app or get in touch, so we can stay in touch!

Keep your building or home insurance up to date

We're sure you understand the importance of home insurance to protect if something happens to your home. If you have a home loan with Keystart, it is a requirement that your property must be adequately covered with building insurance. Be sure to always keep your building insurance up to date.

Have you considered paying more than your minimum monthly payment?

Making payments fortnightly or even weekly can help pay off your loan faster. You can change your payment frequency in the app.

You might also want to consider if you can pay any more than the minimum payment on your loan. If you head to Make an additional payment in the app to see the impact of a payment before you commit to it. You might be surprised at what difference you can make to the life of your loan by paying an additional repayment amount each payment. Check the app or try our repayment calculator. 

Repayment calculator

If you have a shared ownership home loan, you may want to consider increasing your share of the home loan, when you are in a position to do so. If you'd like to increase your share, get in touch.

Have your circumstances changed?

Has your employment or relationship changed in a way that would impact your ability to make your loan repayments? Contact us early to discuss your situation and we can provide options.

Financial difficulty

Break down your shire rates

Did you know there are over 150 councils or shires around Western Australia? Each shire calculates rates differently – and slightly different facilities and services. Council rates cover your local area costs and services like park maintenance, rubbish collection and recycling, street lighting, community facilities, and events.

To help ratepayers manage rate payments, most councils have instalment plans. Some councils are now offering a weekly or fortnightly payment options. Contact your shire to see what payment plans are available to you.

Simplify your utility costs

Most utilities (power, gas, telephone) allow you to pay via smaller monthly instalments, making your bills easier to manage and budget for. Contact your providers to see what they can offer.

DIY action

All homes need maintenance – even brand-new builds. Why not build up your skills and pick up the tools yourself? There are some jobs best left to the professionals, electricity and plumbing to name a couple, but painting and clearing your gutters might be best kept in-house.

Any leaking taps? Make sure you're not using more water than you should

One new bill if you haven’t been a home owner before is the Water Corporation’s water rates. Water rates are based on your access to water at your home. You will then be billed for the amount of water you use. Reduce your water usage to lessen the impact of this utility bill. A dripping tap can waste up to 10,000 litres of water a year.

Water Corp's tips for saving water

Have you set up a budget? 

Setting up a budget can help streamline life with a home loan as you balance your expenses with your lifestyle.

Read more about budgeting tools and tips.