How much money do you need to buy?
First-home down payments (~5% regular loan, ~10% ASP), plus taxes, fees, and a buffer for true monthly costs.
Banks require own funds as a share of the purchase. For a first home with a regular housing loan, that is often about 5% of the price. With ASP, or when changing homes, it is typically 10%.
Clarify which price the percentage applies to — selling price vs debt-free — with your bank. A large company loan share can change how much cash and collateral you need.
Budget transfer tax (varainsiirtovero) where it applies, possible broker fees, moving costs, and small repairs. These sit outside the mortgage principal.
Keep a buffer for the true monthly cost: mortgage + fees + water + a renovation contingency. Passing the down-payment test is not the same as sleeping well after you move in.
ASP savers should check deposit timing and loan ceilings with Valtiokonttori and their bank before assuming the full benefit.
If you are comparing ASO (~15% right-of-occupancy fee) with share ownership, the capital shapes differ — see the ASO vs ownership guide.
Return to the financing pillar and the ASP guides (what ASP is, opening an account, getting a loan) once you have a target apartment price and a draft monthly budget.
What Real Estate Experts Say
“When you buy your first home with a regular housing loan, you typically need savings of only 5% of the purchase price. When changing homes or buying with an ASP loan, the savings requirement is 10%.”
Danske Bank, Danske Bank“You must save an own-savings share on the ASP account of at least 10% of the price of the apartment you are buying.”
Valtiokonttori, Valtiokonttori