Property
Bond Repayment Calculator South Africa 2026
Work out your monthly home loan repayment, total interest and affordability using the latest 2026 SA prime rate — then see how a bigger deposit or extra payments change the numbers.
✓ Updated with 2026 rates•✓ Free & no sign-up•✓ Instant results
Home loan & bond calculator
Live estimate · 2026 SA prime rate
R
Purchase price of the home
R
Typically 10–20% of the property price
Current prime rate: 11.75%
Monthly repayment
R24 383
for 20 years at 11.75% p.a.
Bond amount
R2 250 000
Deposit
R250 000
Total interest
R3 602 018
Total repayment
R5 852 018
A R2 250 000 home loan over 20 years at 11.75% per year costs about R24 383 per month, or R5 852 018 in total including R3 602 018 of interest.
How SA banks price a bond
- Prime lending rate: 11.75% (SARB repo rate 7.75% + 4%)
- Your rate: prime ±2% depending on credit score and deposit
- Affordability: up to 30% of gross income towards the bond
- Deposit: 10% is the usual minimum; more earns a better rate
How much will my bond repayments be?
Your monthly repayment depends on the loan amount, the interest rate and the term. South African banks price home loans off the prime lending rate, then add or subtract a margin based on your credit profile and deposit. The calculator above gives your exact instalment instantly.
Bond amount
Property price minus your deposit — typically you borrow 80–90% of the value.
Interest rate
Prime ±2% based on your credit score (prime is 11.75% on a 7.75% repo rate).
Loan term
20 years is standard; 30-year terms lower the instalment but cost far more interest.
Monthly repayment
A level payment covering interest plus capital, recalculated when rates move.
How much bond can I afford?
The 30% rule
Banks generally allow up to 30% of your gross monthly income to go towards the bond repayment.
Debt-to-income ratio
Total debt repayments (bond plus other loans) should stay below about 40% of gross income.
Credit score
650+ helps you qualify for prime rates; 700+ unlocks the best pricing and a discount below prime.
Deposit
A 10% deposit is the usual minimum — a larger one means a smaller loan and a better rate.
Current bond interest rates (2026)
Excellent credit (750+)
Prime −0.5% to prime — roughly 11.25%–11.75%. Best rates with a large deposit and stable income.
Good credit (650–749)
Prime to prime +1% — roughly 11.75%–12.75%. Standard pricing on a 10% deposit.
Fair credit (550–649)
Prime +1% to prime +2% — roughly 12.75%–13.75%. Higher risk may require a 20% deposit.
Prime rate: 11.75%, based on a 7.75% SARB repo rate (prime = repo + 4%). Rates change with SARB Monetary Policy Committee decisions, so your variable-rate instalment can move during the loan.
Bond costs vs transfer costs
On top of your deposit, budget for two separate sets of upfront fees — usually paid in cash before registration. Together they often add 8–12% to the cost of buying.
Transfer costs (ownership)
Transfer duty (0–13%, first R1.1m exempt), conveyancing fees of R15,000–R35,000 and deeds office fees of about R1,500 — typically 5–10% of the price.
Bond costs (the loan)
Bond registration of R30,000–R50,000, origination of about R6,000 and a property valuation of R3,000–R5,000 — roughly R40,000–R60,000 in total.
Compliance certificates
Electrical (R2,000–R5,000), gas (R1,500–R3,000) and beetle (R1,000–R2,000) certificates are commonly required before transfer.
Ongoing costs
Home insurance, municipal rates, sectional-title levies and maintenance add up to 1–2% of the property value each year.
How to pay off your bond faster
Pay extra each month
Any amount above the instalment goes straight to capital. An extra R1,000/month on a R1m bond can save R100k+ in interest.
Shop around
Apply at 3+ banks (or via a bond originator) to compare rates — a 0.5% saving compounds over 20 years.
Keep paying when rates drop
When the SARB cuts rates, hold your repayment at the old level so the difference clears capital faster.
Use the access facility
An access bond lets you park surplus cash to reduce interest while keeping it available if you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
How are bond repayments calculated in South Africa?
Monthly bond repayments use the standard amortisation formula based on three inputs: the bond amount (property price minus your deposit), the annual interest rate, and the loan term. Each payment covers the interest accrued that month plus a portion of the capital. Early on most of the payment goes to interest; later it shifts towards capital. A R1,000,000 bond at 11.75% over 20 years works out to roughly R10,837 per month.
How does the prime rate affect my bond repayment?
Most SA home loans are linked to the prime lending rate, which is the SARB repo rate plus 4% (prime is 11.75% when the repo rate is 7.75%). Your bond is typically priced at prime ±2% depending on your credit profile and deposit. When the SARB Monetary Policy Committee raises or cuts the repo rate, your variable-rate repayment moves with it — a 1% rate change on a R1m bond shifts the instalment by around R650 a month.
How much deposit do I need and how does it affect my bond?
Banks generally want a 10% deposit, though 100% bonds are available for strong applicants. A larger deposit lowers the amount you borrow, reduces total interest, and usually earns you a better interest rate because the bank takes on less risk. Putting down 20% instead of 10% on a R1m property both shrinks the loan and can move your rate closer to prime.
What is the difference between bond costs and transfer costs?
They are two separate sets of fees. Transfer costs cover moving ownership into your name — transfer duty (0–13%, with the first R1.1m exempt), conveyancing fees and deeds office fees, totalling roughly 5–10% of the price. Bond costs cover registering the home loan — bond registration, origination and a property valuation, typically R40,000–R60,000. Budget for both, in cash, on top of your deposit.
How can I pay off my bond faster and save interest?
Paying a little extra each month is the most powerful lever because it goes straight to capital. On a R1m bond, an extra R1,000 a month can save well over R100,000 in interest and cut years off the term. Other tactics: pay your annual bonus into the bond, keep paying the old instalment when rates drop, and use an access-bond facility to park surplus cash while keeping it available.