Buying your first home is rarely a straight line — and for Nathan and James, the road was full of detours, tough calls, and more than a few near misses. 

In this episode, we follow their journey from eager house hunters to proud Melbourne homeowners, sharing exactly how they navigated a fast-moving market without losing sight of their goals.

You’ll hear how they set up their deposit strategy (yes, including the Barefoot Investor “buckets”), tackled the confusing First Home Super Saver Scheme, and learned to filter well-meaning but unhelpful advice from family. From adjusting suburbs and rethinking their non-negotiables, to understanding the Three Ps — price, position, property — Nathan and James show how the right compromises can still lead you to the right home.

We also unpack their auction journey: the early nerves, the losses that taught them what to do differently, and the strategies that finally helped them win the bid. Along the way, they reveal how the Home Buyer Academy course and weekly Campfire calls gave them the knowledge, confidence, and resilience to keep going — even when the market felt like it was running away from them.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, second-guessing your options, or worn down by competition, this real-life case study is proof that you can buy well — even in a hot market — when you have the right tools, the right mindset, and the determination to see it through.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction

01:56 – Meet Nathan and James

02:19 – The Decision to Buy a Property

03:25 – Saving for a Deposit: Tips and Strategies

05:08 – Navigating Government Schemes and Incentives

08:14 – The Home Buying Process: Learning and Challenges

12:04 – The Search Process and Making Compromises

13:19 – Navigating Compromises in Home Buying

14:45 – The Importance of Pricing Analysis

16:19 – Learning from Auctions

17:36 – Dealing with Market Competition

19:20 – The Emotional Rollercoaster of Home Buying

22:05 – Final Thoughts and Advice for First Home Buyers

Course Details:

• THE First Home Buyer Course is our Step-By-Step, No BS Guide to Every Stage of The Home Buying Process – It’s the next best thing to having your own buyer’s agent. With our expert guidance, you’ll know what to do at every step along the way. Become a home owner faster and easier. Click here: https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/YFHBG

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