Bond Originator Comparison Calculator
Compare ooba, BetterBond, MortgageSA, SA Home Loans and Just Property Finance — all free for buyers. Find out which originator best suits your needs and how using multiple originators can get you a better rate.
| Originator | Banks | Approval Rate | Typical Rate | Speed | Pre-approval | Est. Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ooba | ABSA, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Investec, SA Home Loans | 80% | Prime -0.25%10.0% | 5–7 business days | Yes | R 13 028/mo |
| BetterBond | ABSA, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec, SA Home Loans | 78% | Prime -0.2%10.1% | 5–7 business days | Yes | R 13 073/mo |
| MortgageSA | ABSA, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank | 72% | Prime -0.15%10.1% | 7–10 business days | Yes | R 13 117/mo |
| SA Home Loans | SA Home Loans (direct lender, not a bank) | 68% | Prime -0.1%10.2% | 5–10 business days | Yes | R 13 162/mo |
| Just Property Finance | ABSA, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank | 70% | Prime -0.1%10.2% | 7–10 business days | No | R 13 162/mo |
All originators are free for buyers — they are paid by banks. Rates shown are estimates based on typical rate concessions. Actual rate depends on your credit profile, income, and property type. NCA requires banks to provide written quotations.
How Bond Originators Work in South Africa How it works • NCA rules • Choosing an originator
What Is a Bond Originator?
A bond originator (also called a mortgage originator) is a company that submits your home loan application to multiple banks on your behalf — completely free of charge to the buyer. Originators are paid a referral fee by the bank that grants your bond, typically 0.5%–1% of the loan amount. This creates no conflict of interest for buyers.
The biggest originator in South Africa is ooba, which holds approximately 55% market share. BetterBond is the second-largest, followed by smaller players like MortgageSA and Just Property Finance.
NCA Protections for Home Loan Applicants
- Written quotation requirement: Under the National Credit Act, every bank must provide you with a written pre-agreement statement before you sign. This lets you compare offers apples-to-apples.
- 5-business-day cooling-off period: Once you accept a home loan offer, you have 5 business days to cancel without penalty or cost. Use this time to compare all offers.
- Credit bureau searches: Multiple bond applications submitted within a 14-day window are treated as a single inquiry for credit scoring purposes.
- No upfront fees: It is illegal under the NCA for any originator or lender to charge upfront application or processing fees.
Using Multiple Originators: A Practical Guide
Thabo and Lerato are buying their first home in Sandton for R1,800,000. They apply through ooba and BetterBond simultaneously.
ooba submits to ABSA, FNB, Nedbank, and Standard Bank. BetterBond submits to the same four plus Capitec. Within 7 days, they receive 6 offers. The best is Standard Bank at prime − 0.5%, saving them R 740/month compared to the worst offer received — over R59,000 over 20 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bond originators charge buyers any fees in South Africa?
No. Bond originators are completely free for home buyers. They are paid a commission by whichever bank grants your bond — typically between 0.5% and 1% of the loan amount. The National Credit Act prohibits upfront fees, so you have nothing to lose by using an originator.
Will applying through multiple originators hurt my credit score?
No, provided you apply within a 14-day window. South African credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian, Compuscan) treat multiple home loan inquiries made within a short period as a single event, recognising that consumers naturally shop around for the best rate. Apply through 2–3 originators simultaneously rather than weeks apart.
What is the difference between ooba and BetterBond?
Both are full-service bond originators that submit to all major South African banks. ooba holds approximately 55% market share and is known for strong digital tools including their app and online bond indicator. BetterBond is the second-largest and offers access to Capitec (which ooba does not always include). The best strategy is to use both simultaneously so you receive offers from all lenders.
What is SA Home Loans and how is it different from the big banks?
SA Home Loans is a non-bank specialist mortgage lender registered with the National Credit Regulator. It is not a deposit-taking bank. SA Home Loans is useful if you have been declined by the big four banks, as they use a slightly more generous 33% DTI ratio and sometimes approve higher loan-to-value ratios. However, their rates are typically at prime or above prime.
How long does bond approval take when using an originator?
Most originators receive initial responses from banks within 5–7 business days of submitting a complete application. Full bond approval (with all conditions met) typically takes 2–4 weeks. Ensure you have all documents ready: 3 months payslips, 3 months bank statements, 6 months if self-employed, valid ID, and the signed Offer to Purchase.