Buying your first home rarely goes exactly to plan. You might have your deposit saved, your dream suburb picked out, and a clear picture of the property you want—only to discover the market has other ideas.

In this episode, Home Buyer Academy graduate Tim shares the real story behind his first home purchase. From saving his deposit and researching the market to being priced out of his preferred property type, Tim explains how staying flexible and trusting a structured buying process helped him achieve his goal.

Together with Veronica and Meighan, they unpack the lessons learned along the way, including dealing with underquoting, adapting to changing market conditions, navigating auctions, and making confident decisions without letting emotions take over.

If you're preparing to buy your first home, this episode offers practical insights into what the journey really looks like—and why having the right knowledge and mindset can make all the difference.

01:03 – Meet Tim and His First Home Buying Journey

03:46 – The Saving Habits That Fast-Tracked Tim's Deposit

07:03 – Why Investing in Education Paid Off

10:42 – The Market Reality Every First Home Buyer Faces

16:44 – What Every Property Inspection Taught Tim

20:39 – How Flexibility Helped Tim Find the Right Home

27:41 – The Budget Twist That Changed Everything

33:04 – Life After Buying: What's Next for Tim?

37:01 – Tim's Biggest Advice for First Home Buyers

39:50 – Why Community Makes the Journey Easier

42:33 – Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up

• 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

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f

Buying your first home with just a 5% deposit sounds like the shortcut many buyers have been waiting for.

But while the scheme can help you enter the market sooner, borrowing 95% of a property's value also comes with risks that every first home buyer needs to understand.

In this episode, Veronica and Meighan are joined by Jack Elliott from Alcove Mortgages to unpack how the 5% Deposit Scheme really works, who can access it following the latest rule changes, and why buying under a government scheme doesn't automatically mean you're making a good property decision.

You'll learn why price caps matter, how Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) fits into the picture, what upfront costs many buyers overlook, and why having cash buffers and a long-term plan can be just as important as saving your deposit.

If you're considering buying with a 5% deposit, this episode will help you understand the opportunities, the risks, and how to decide whether this pathway is the right fit for your situation.

01:48 – Why the 5% Deposit Scheme Is So Popular

05:16 – Why Banks Charge Lenders Mortgage Insurance

08:06 – Who Can Use the 5% Deposit Scheme?

12:45 – Which Lenders Offer the 5% Deposit Scheme?

16:28 – How to Protect Yourself With a 95% Home Loan

21:24 – Is the 5% Deposit Scheme Right for You?

24:26 – Join Our First Home Buyer Community

• Book a Get To Know You Chat with Jack

• 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

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f

First home buyer grants, stamp duty concessions, shared equity schemes, 5% deposit pathways–there’s more support available than ever before.

But are these incentives actually helping you make better property decisions?

In this episode, mortgage broker Jack Elliott returns to break down the grants, concessions, and buyer schemes available across Australia. We cover how stamp duty relief works in each state, who qualifies for the First Home Owner Grant, and what buyers need to know about shared equity programs and low-deposit pathways.

More importantly, we unpack one of the biggest mistakes first home buyers make: allowing incentives to drive their property decisions. While grants and concessions can reduce upfront costs, they can also tempt buyers into compromising on location, property quality, or long-term growth potential.

If you're trying to understand what support is available and how to use it wisely, this episode will help you cut through the noise, avoid common traps, and make decisions that support your long-term goals—not just your short-term savings.

01:44 – Meet Jack: Understanding Buyer Incentives

04:41 – The Stamp Duty Trap First Buyers Miss

09:42 – First Home Owner Grant Explained

18:26 – Low Deposit Pathways Explained

23:28 – Shared Equity: The Trade-Offs to Know

28:46 – Choosing the Right Scheme for Your Goals

30:24 – How to Use Incentives the Right Way

32:49 – Join the Community & Keep Learning

• Book a Get To Know You Chat with Jack

• 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

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f

Buying a property is about to involve more paperwork than many buyers expect.

From July 2026, Australia's anti-money laundering reforms will introduce new checks for property transactions. That means first home buyers may be asked to provide identification, bank statements, gift letters, inheritance records, and evidence showing where their deposit funds came from.

In this episode, Veronica and Meighan break down what the new property buying rules mean in practice, why these changes are being introduced, and how buyers can prepare before signing a contract. They explain the documentation that may be required, the situations that can trigger additional questions, and the simple steps that can help you avoid unnecessary delays during settlement.

If you're planning to buy your first home in the next few years, this episode will help you understand what's changing and how to stay one step ahead.

01:52 – Why Property Buyers Are Facing New Checks

03:36 – The New Property Rules Starting in 2026

06:29 – What Triggers Extra Questions and Scrutiny?

10:19 – When Will Buyers Be Asked for Documents?

13:26 – The Biggest Misunderstandings Buyers Have

16:46 – How These Changes Could Benefit Buyers

18:28 – Your Property Compliance Checklist

21:02 – How to Prepare Before You Buy

• 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

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f

Most first home buyers wait until they feel “ready” before speaking to a mortgage broker. But what if that decision is actually delaying your plans by months—or even years?

In this episode, we’re joined by Jack Elliott from Alcove Mortgages to unpack one of the most common mistakes first home buyers make: coming to the finance conversation too late. We explore what a broker actually does, why the best time to get advice is often much earlier than you think, and how a simple conversation can reveal opportunities you didn’t know existed.

We also discuss the latest lending and policy changes affecting first home buyers, including borrowing capacity, rentvesting strategies, guarantor options, and how recent budget announcements are already influencing buyer behaviour.

If you're saving for a deposit, wondering how much you can borrow, or trying to work out when to take the next step, this episode will help you build a clearer plan and move forward with more confidence.

00:15 – Meet Jack: First Home Buyer Finance Expert

01:38 – The Cost of Waiting Too Long for Finance Advice

04:25 – The Budget Changes Every Buyer Should Know

09:05 – The Rentvesting Strategy That Stopped Working

12:18 – Why Earlier Finance Advice Creates More Options

14:25 – The Questions a Good Broker Should Ask

16:45 – Don't Buy a Home You'll Outgrow Too Soon

21:14 – What Mortgage Brokers Really Do Behind the Scenes

23:18 – Why Good Brokers Don't Disappear at Settlement

26:25 – Lessons From Jack's First Property Purchase

29:01 – Three Actions to Take Before You Buy

32:19 – Final Takeaways for First Home Buyers

• Book a Get To Know You Chat with Jack

• 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

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f

Shared equity schemes are becoming one of the most talked-about pathways into homeownership.

Lower deposits, smaller loans, and the chance to buy sooner can sound incredibly appealing—but what are you giving up in return?

In this episode, Veronica and Meighan unpack how shared equity schemes actually work, who they're designed for, and the trade-offs many buyers don't fully understand until years later. They explore how government ownership stakes affect your future equity, why property selection matters more than the scheme itself, and the hidden risks that can emerge when it's time to refinance, upgrade, or sell.

You'll also learn why buying sooner isn't always better, how price caps can influence your property choices, and the key questions every first home buyer should ask before signing up.

If you're considering a shared equity scheme, this episode will help you understand whether it's a smart stepping stone—or a decision that could limit your future options.

01:42 — How Shared Equity Actually Works

03:34 — The Trade-Off Most Buyers Overlook

06:38 — The Price Cap Trap Explained

08:29 — The Hidden Cost of Exiting the Scheme

11:06 — The Fine Print That Can Cost You

14:04 — When Shared Equity Can Actually Work

17:26 — 7 Questions to Ask Before Signing Up

19:30 — Should You Use Shared Equity?

• 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

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f

You’ve found the one. The suburb works, the layout feels right, and auction day arrives. But what happens if you win… and your loan doesn’t go through?

In this episode, we break down the real risks of buying at auction—especially when relying on pre-approval. From valuation shortfalls to lender restrictions and changes in your financial situation, there are several ways a deal can fall apart after you’ve already committed.

We walk through what “unconditional” really means, why auction contracts carry more risk than most buyers expect, and how quickly things can escalate if your finances don't stack up. You’ll also hear practical examples of how buyers can end up needing to find large sums of money in a short timeframe—or risk losing their deposit.

This episode will help you understand the risks clearly and prepare properly before auction day, so you can make confident decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

01:29 – Why Pre-Approval Doesn’t Guarantee Your Loan

03:38 – What Unconditional Really Means at Auction

05:28 – Preparation vs Risk: Why It Matters Before You Bid

07:05 – The Checks You Must Do Before Auction Day

09:03 – The Valuation Gap That Can Cost You Thousands

13:42 – Staying Disciplined When Emotions Take Over

16:26 – Key Takeaways Before You Step Into an Auction

20:24 – Final Thoughts and How to Keep Learning

• Auction Ready by Veronica Morgan (book)
• How to Price a Property (Mini Course)

• 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

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f

You’ve probably seen the headlines—negative gearing changes, big shifts for investors, and talk of housing becoming more affordable.

But what does the 2026 budget actually mean for first home buyers?

In this episode, we break down the key property-related changes, including negative gearing, capital gains tax, and investor behaviour. While these policies are being framed as a win for buyers, the reality is more complex—and in many cases, the expected impact on property prices may be far smaller than people assume.

We also explore how these changes could shift demand across different parts of the market, including the growing pressure on new builds and the potential reduction in rental supply. Along the way, we unpack the risks of relying on headlines when making long-term decisions.

If you’re trying to decide whether to buy now or wait, this episode will help you understand what’s really changing—and what actually matters when planning your next step.

01:28 – What’s Actually in the 2026 Budget

05:48 – Will Property Prices Really Fall?

07:37 – Rents, Supply, and Why Location Matters

09:05 – Investor Demand vs Supply: What’s Changing

11:46 – The New Build Trap First Buyers Should Know

15:23 – Why New Builds Could Become More Expensive

17:49 – The Risks of Buying Off-the-Plan

19:29 – Small Wins for Buyers, Bigger Pressure on Rent

25:33 – What First Home Buyers Should Do Next

29:05 – Key Takeaways from the Budget Changes

31:47 – Final Thoughts and What to Do From Here

• 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

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f

Buying your first home isn’t just about saving a deposit — it’s about learning how to make confident decisions in a market filled with noise, pressure, and conflicting advice.

In this episode, we sit down with Home Buyer Academy graduate Kate Howes to hear the real story behind her first home journey, from major life setbacks and uncertainty to finally buying a home she genuinely loves.

Kate shares what it felt like to search through endless listings, inspect properties that looked completely different in real life, and wrestle with the emotional side of compromise, budgeting, and decision-making.

We also unpack the rookie mistakes many first home buyers make, including relying too heavily on portal prices, over-researching without a strategy, and listening to too many opinions from people who don’t understand the market.

This episode explores the confidence that comes from education, why understanding the buying process changes everything, and how first home buyers can stop guessing and start making smarter decisions with clarity.

Whether you’re buying solo, feeling overwhelmed by the process, or wondering if home ownership is still possible, this conversation will help you feel more grounded and far less alone.

01:07 Kate’s Story: From Setbacks to Starting the Journey

04:29 When Buying Became Real: Getting Clear on a Plan

07:07 Letting Go of Myths and Learning the Process

10:51 Market Reality: Expectations vs What You Can Afford

13:01 Blue Mountains Property: Why She Walked Away

17:59 Finding the Right Home Without Rushing the Decision

23:18 Moving In: Settling, Changes and First Improvements

25:12 How It Feels to Finally Own Your First Home

29:38 Final Thoughts: Lessons and Advice for Buyers

• How to Price a Property (Mini Course)
• Where should I buy my home? (Workshop)

• 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

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f

Rising grocery bills. Higher interest rates. Constant headlines about economic uncertainty. Friends telling you to wait. Parents warning you not to buy yet.

For many first home buyers, it feels like the economy is sending one clear message right now: don’t make a big move. But what if waiting comes with risks too?

In this episode, Veronica and Meighan unpack the fear surrounding recessions, uncertain markets, and property buying during difficult economic periods. Drawing from Australia’s last major recession in the late 1980s and early 1990s, they explore what actually happened to property prices, why confidence disappears during uncertain times, and how some buyers benefited simply because they were prepared while everyone else stood still.

You’ll learn why waiting for “certainty” often doesn’t work in property, how fear and media negativity influence buyer behaviour, and what separates smart caution from complete paralysis. They also explain when waiting genuinely makes sense, the hidden costs of delaying your plans for too long, and why buying quality property with strong fundamentals matters even more during softer markets.

From recession lessons and market psychology to practical guidance around readiness, risk and long-term thinking, this episode will help first home buyers approach uncertain times with more clarity, confidence and perspective.

01:37 — Why Buyers Feel So Nervous Right Now

03:13 — Why Waiting for Certainty Doesn’t Work

04:51 — What the 1980s Recession Taught Buyers

10:01 — Media Fear vs Property Market Reality

15:18 — The Hidden Cost of Waiting to Buy

18:12 — Why Some Buyers Benefit During Recessions

20:28 — The Early Signs a Market Is Turning

24:34 — What Always Stays True in Property

26:51 — When Waiting Might Actually Make Sense

29:10 — How to Know If You’re Ready to Buy

• 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

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f