Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast

Are you considering buying new or off-plan? This episode is your ultimate guide to managing the risks. First home buyers face numerous decisions, and one of the most critical is choosing between new or established properties. Today, we dive deep into the good, the bad, and the ugly with our special guest, Cate Bakos, who has written the ultimate guide to the risks of buying brand new or off-plan p...

What’s the secret to overcoming the big ‘C’ in property buying? In this episode, we dive deep into the art of compromising when it comes to purchasing your first home. We unpack a recent survey by Bankwest, revealing that a whopping 78% of young aspiring homebuyers are willing to cut back on property features to secure a home. It’s a reality check that compromising is not just common; it’s essenti...

It's so easy to feel lost and overwhelmed at a property auction, especially when you're a first home buyer with no experience whatsoever. In today's episode, we provide you with practical advice and strategies through the lens of a real-life coaching session, answering critical questions such as determining your maximum bid when the agent doesn’t provide a price guide, and handling the auction pro...

Finding a trustworthy and effective mortgage broker can be a daunting task, especially with the overwhelming number of options available. Picking the wrong mortgage broker could mean getting stuck with unfavorable loan terms, missing out on vital guidance, and facing a stressful home buying journey. This can significantly impact your financial stability and long-term goals as a homeowner. In this...

In today's episode, we talk about one home buyer's experience on her journey towards homeownership, marked by overcoming costly mistakes to achieve success. Meet Amanda, a determined individual whose path to owning a home was paved with challenges and valuable lessons. It's a story of resilience and growth, where Amanda's mindset evolved significantly along the way. Early on, Amanda encountered se...

Buying a house sight unseen is risky, and in this episode, we explore a home buying catastrophe that could have been easily avoided with some simple steps. Today, we discuss the story of a woman who moved back to her home state and bought a house without personally inspecting it. Relying on outdated photos and the assurances of an agent, she arrived to find her new home in a state of disrepair. Fr...

Real estate can be a tricky game, and making the wrong moves can lead to massive losses. From trusting the wrong advice to mishandling grants and skipping a solid long-term plan, these pitfalls can derail your dreams faster than you can say "sold." In this episode, we talk about the crucial steps you need to follow to steer clear of the top three million-dollar property mistakes. Join us as we dis...

Is it really possible to accidentally purchase a property? It sounds absurd, but the truth is, it can happen more easily than you think. Many buyers find themselves bound to property contracts unintentionally due to a lack of understanding of the legal nuances involved. In this episode, we are joined by Richie Muir — a renowned property law expert with extensive experience in the field. Richie is...

Young Australians are increasingly shunning expert financial advice, turning instead to family and friends for guidance. A recent report from Great Southern Bank revealed a surprising trend: family and friends are the top choice of younger Aussies for financial guidance. While this approach might save them money on consultation fees as it is indeed "free", the lack of comprehensive insight and exp...

Today, we address a situation that many first-time home buyers are often faced with: to bid at auctions or avoid them altogether. We talk about the challenges and fears associated with auctions and examine if avoiding them is truly the best choice. This episode aims to make the auction process easier to understand and share practical tips to help you make well-thought-out decisions. Auctions can b...

In the pursuit of homeownership, the last thing any first home buyer wants to encounter is an unexpected financial hurdle. In this episode, we talk about how buying your first home can be really tricky and highlight the potential pitfalls that could trip you up along the way. Specifically, we explore a real-life story where a HECS debt nearly derailed a first home buyer's purchase, shedding light...

This episode follows Heidi's journey, a first-time home buyer and a Home Buyer Academy graduate who shares the story of how she went from dreaming of owning a home to actually making it a reality. We discuss Heidi’s journey of saving money, learning about the home buying process, and searching for the perfect home. We dive into the challenges she faced and the decisions she had to make along the w...

A lot of first home buyers dive into the property market without adequate preparation, which makes the home buying process confusing and stressful. Today, we tackle common issues and challenges faced by many first home buyers and break down four essential steps you need to take before diving into your home search. Without these four tips, buyers risk overspending or facing unexpected obstacles. Ad...

Deciding whether to invest in property or buy a home to live in is tough. Although the decision might seem straightforward, the consequences can have a lasting impact on your financial future. When you think about buying a home, there are hurdles like figuring out if you can afford to buy where you really want to live. . On the flip side, rentvesting gives you flexibility, but you need to watch ou...

There are many important decisions to make when buying your first home, from using grants, evaluating properties, down to dealing with financing issues. Without the right help, first home buyers could end up overpaying for a property or buying in less desirable locations, which can negatively impact both financial well-being and long-term satisfaction with the purchase. In this episode, we pick up...

Real estate can be tricky especially for first home buyers, and it's easy to feel stuck or lost when trying to buy or invest in property. Without access to reliable guidance, not knowing who to talk to or turn to — it can easily become a struggle to know the right steps to take and the right decisions to make. Every Wednesday, we hold a weekly campfire for Your First Home Buyer Guide students so t...

Feeling scared about taking on a long-term mortgage commitment for your first home? You're not alone! It's quite a common worry but if you let fear hold you back, it can stop you from making your dream of owning a home a reality.  Without facing these worries head-on, you could end up stuck, not knowing how to move forward and buy the house you've been dreaming of. Today, we have Aaron Christie-Da...

Purchasing a home in regional areas seems like an attractive prospect, however, the perception of lower prices can often mask hidden risks and challenges. Without the right guidance, first-time buyers may find themselves facing unexpected hurdles and potential financial setbacks. What are the implications of overlooking common mistakes when purchasing property in regional locations? In this episod...

Putting off asking for advice can mean making mistakes that can't be fixed, especially when it comes to buying property. Misreading the market or not understanding the rules can cause problems that stick around for a long time. Many of us wait until we've already made a decision, only to realise the consequences could have been avoided with timely guidance. In this episode, we're flipping the scri...

Your initial meeting with a mortgage broker could make or break your home buying journey. Without proper preparation and knowledge of what to expect, this initial encounter can potentially lead to confusion and missed opportunities in securing the right mortgage for your needs. But what can you expect when meeting with a mortgage broker for the first time? In today’s episode, we're joined by Aidan...

Buying your first home can feel really challenging without a clear guide to follow. This lack of understanding can lead to confusion, frustration, and costly mistakes throughout the home buying process. Without a clear roadmap to follow, individuals may miss crucial steps or make uninformed decisions that will, in turn, impact their financial wellbeing. In this episode, we provide a straightforwar...

Buying a home for the first time is a significant milestone, but doing so in  an unfamiliar area does add quite a few layers of complexities, especially concerning affordability and market dynamics. Today, we discuss the challenges that arise when buying a first home in a regional area like Dubbo. In this episode, we are joined by Damian Hoar — a finance analyst at Money Saver Home Loans and co-ho...

Buying your first home?  Ever wondered what important information you might be missing?   Without essential knowledge, first-time homebuyers can make costly mistakes that could affect your financial stability and overall satisfaction with your purchase. In today's episode, we share the top 10 things we wish we knew when we were first-time buyers. From understanding mortgage options to learning how...

As housing costs continue to rise and traditional financing options become increasingly out of reach for first-time buyers, finding an accessible pathway towards homeownership has become a real challenge in today's property market. These challenges often make it hard for people to buy a home, especially if they don't qualify for first home buyer schemes or are unable to rely on family to support t...

Are house and land packages a smart choice for first-time buyers, or could they bring about potential issues in your journey, well beyond buying your first home? In this episode, we take a closer look at new builds, breaking down the risks and rewards tied to house and land packages. Many first-time home buyers are intrigued by the idea of owning a never-lived-in property, but it's crucial to weig...