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Insight12 Apr 2026· 2 min read

How Much Deposit Do You Really Need?

Deposits, LMI and the real upfront costs of an investment purchase.

$$$$$

“How much do I need to get started?” is one of the first questions every investor asks. The honest answer: it depends — but understanding the moving parts helps you plan.

The deposit

Many investors aim for a 20% deposit to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), but purchases with smaller deposits are common — LMI simply becomes a cost of entering sooner. Sometimes buying earlier with LMI beats waiting years to save 20%.

The other upfront costs

  • Stamp duty (varies by state)
  • Legal and conveyancing fees
  • Building and pest inspections
  • Loan and lender fees

Using existing equity in another property is also a common way to fund a deposit without cash. The right structure depends on your situation — which is exactly what a strategy conversation is for.

Want this applied to your situation?

Book a free strategy call and we’ll walk you through the research for your goals.

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Contact
Meridian Australia
(02) 9939 3249
[email protected]
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General information only — tool outputs are indicative estimates, not financial or investment advice.
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