The First Home Buyers Program

You've saved up a deposit, but you've still got a car loan, credit card or personal loan. Should you use your savings to clear those debts, or keep your money and get into the property market sooner? It's one of the most common questions Maryanne gets asked by first home buyers, and unfortunately, there's no simple yes or no answer! In this episode of the First Home Buyer Program Podcast, Maryanne...

What if buying a brand-new home could give you access to more government assistance than buying an established property? In this episode of The First Home Buyers Program Podcast, Maryanne breaks down a strategy that many first-home buyers may not have considered: combining the Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme with the potential benefits available when buying or building a new home in Queen...

Would you rather own 70% of a home today and work towards owning 100%, or wait another 10 years until you can afford to buy without government assistance? In this episode of The First Home Buyers Program Podcast, Maryanne Elliott breaks down Australia's Help to Buy Scheme using two hypothetical first home buyers with very different approaches. One buyer doesn't like the idea of the government havi...

Have you been told you need to save a bigger deposit before you can buy a home? 🏡Before you assume you need to wait another 6 or 12 months, there's something you need to know. Australia's Help to Buy Scheme could provide another pathway into home ownership for eligible buyers. But here's the catch…Not every lender participates in Help to Buy, and not every mortgage broker necessarily has access t...

Think you need a 20% deposit before you can buy your first home? Think again. With property prices where they are today, saving a 20% deposit can feel almost impossible. On a $1 million property, that's $200,000 before you even factor in the other costs of buying! In this episode of The First Home Buyers Program Podcast, Maryanne Elliott from 360 Mortgage Solutions breaks down the different deposi...

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it's also the start of your long-term property journey. In this episode of the First Home Buyers Program Podcast, Maryanne explores why every first home buyer should understand commercial property even if buying commercial real estate isn't something you're considering today. Most Australians grow up believing the property journey looks the same...

Description Should you start scrolling through realestate.com.au before speaking to a mortgage broker? In this episode of the First Home Buyer Program Podcast, Maryanne Elliott explains why getting a First Home Buyer Pre Approval should be your very first step before attending open homes or making an offer. Many first home buyers fall in love with a property before they know exactly what they can...

What if the biggest thing standing between you and your first home isn't your income... it's simply not knowing your options? In this episode, Maryanne shares two of the most common ways families are helping first home buyers enter the property market sooner. Whether it's using a Family Guarantee, buying a property together with parents, or exploring other family support strategies, there are ofte...

Why a Fully Assessed Pre Approval Could Help You Secure Your Dream Home . Are you planning to buy your first home this year? Before you spend your weekends at open homes, there is one thing that could make your offer stand out from the competition. In this episode, Maryanne Elliott from 360 Mortgage Solutions explains why having a fully assessed pre approval can give you a significant advantage, e...

What Does “Finance Approved” Really Mean? Pre Approval vs Conditional Approval vs Formal ApprovalBuying your first home can feel like learning a whole new language. One of the most confusing parts of the home buying journey is understanding exactly where you stand with your finance approval. Have you been told you're pre approved, conditionally approved, formally approved, or that your contract is...

Feeling overwhelmed about buying your first home? You’re not alone. With rising property prices, changing lending rules, and so much conflicting advice online, it’s easy to feel stuck before you even begin. In this episode of The First Home Buyer Program Podcast, Maryanne Elliott, Director of 360 Mortgage Solutions, breaks down the three key things every first home buyer should focus on right now...

Episode Summary If you’re a first home buyer right now and feeling unsure about the market… you’re not alone. With rising interest rates, high property prices, and constant media noise, it’s easy to feel like you’ve either missed your chance or you’re about to make the wrong decision. In this episode, we unpack what’s really going on and shift the focus away from short-term fear… and onto long-ter...

In today’s episode, Maryanne Elliott from 360 Mortgage Solutions dives into one of the most common mistakes first home buyers make -  waiting too long to enter the property market. With constant headlines about interest rates, global uncertainty, and property trends, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you should “wait until things settle.” But here’s the truth: there will always be a reas...

The First Home Buyers Program Podcast - The 3 Biggest Mistakes First Home Buyers Make (And How to Avoid Them) Episode Description Buying your first home is exciting, but it’s also easy to make mistakes that can cost you time, money, and confidence. In this episode of The First Home Buyers Program Podcast, mortgage broker Maryanne Elliott shares the 3 biggest mistakes first home buyers make and how...

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when saving a deposit feels like the hardest part. In this episode of The First Home Buyers Program Podcast, mortgage broker Maryanne Elliott from 360 Mortgage Solutions explains the Help to Buy Scheme in Australia and how it may help first home buyers enter the property market sooner. The Help to Buy Scheme is a shared equity program where...

First Home Buyer Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands (And How to Avoid Them) Buying your first home should feel exciting… not overwhelming, confusing, or financially risky. In this episode, I break down the most common first home buyer mistakes I’m seeing right now – from relying on the wrong advice to bidding at auction without finance in place (yes, that really happens 😅). If you’re planning...

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming — confusing advice, bank jargon, and fear of making the wrong decision often stop first home buyers from taking action. In this episode of The First Home Buyers Program Podcast, we break down the most common mistakes first home buyers make and explain how the right education and strategy can save you thousands (and a whole lot of stress). If you’re thin...

Just bought your first home and wondering if refinancing is worth it? In this episode, we break down what first home buyers need to know about refinancing in 2026. 🏡 Episode Summary: You’ve got your first home loan—amazing! But now you’re hearing about refinancing, interest rate changes, and equity… and wondering if you should be doing something with your mortgage. In this episode, I break down r...

In today’s episode, Maryanne shares three real-life stories from the last few weeks where clients were struggling with low borrowing capacity — and how strategic planning, smart restructuring, and thinking outside the box helped them move from “I don’t think I can buy yet” to “We’re officially homeowners!” If you’ve been told your borrowing capacity isn’t enough, this episode will help you see tha...

📄 Show Notes: Settlement day can be one of the most exciting—and nerve-wracking—parts of the home buying journey, especially for first home buyers who have no idea what to expect. In this episode, Marianne Elliott from 360 Mortgage Solutions breaks down what actually happens on settlement day, what you really need to do (spoiler alert: it’s less than you think), and how to avoid common mistakes t...

🎉 Settlement's done—congrats! Now what? In this video, I walk you through your post-settlement mortgage checklist so your loan is set up correctly from day one. We’ll cover how to check your repayments, structure your banking, and make sure your offset account is working for you—not against you. 🔍 Whether you're a first home buyer or refinancing, getting this part right will save you money, stre...

🏡 Episode Description Feeling like buying your first home is just too hard? You’re not alone. In this episode of The First Home Buyer Program Podcast, Maryanne Elliott, mortgage broker and educator, breaks down the biggest barrier most first-time buyers face — their mindset. Maryanne explains why the property market feels tougher than ever, what “choosing your hard” really means, and how you can...

Buying your first home has never been more challenging. With house prices climbing and supply tight, more First Home Buyers are turning to co-borrowing with their parents as a way to finally get into the market. In this episode of The First Home Buyers Program Podcast, I cover: Why families are choosing to co-borrow The main benefits (borrowing power, shared costs, entering the market sooner) The...

Episode Description: When it comes to choosing between a fixed or variable home loan, first home buyers in 2025 have a big decision to make. In this episode, I simplify the confusion and walk you through what you really need to know about fixed vs variable home loans in 2025. You’ll discover: The difference between fixed and variable home loans Pros and cons of each option in 2025 How to decide wh...

In this episode, we dive into the hidden dangers of buy now pay later accounts. They may seem like an easy way to spread out payments, but the reality is they can trap you in a cycle of debt, reduce your savings power, and even limit your borrowing capacity when it comes to applying for a mortgage. If you’ve ever felt like your paycheck disappears before it arrives, this episode is for you. What Y...