Losing out on your first property offer hurts — but it’s not the failure you think it is.

In fact, it’s a powerful training ground.

In this episode, Veronica and Meighan unpack why most first offers don’t win and why that’s actually a good thing. You’ll learn how rejection sharpens your instincts, builds negotiation skills, and helps you understand the market like a pro — from reading agent tactics to spotting real value versus hype.

They also reveal the biggest traps buyers fall into after losing — from emotional rebounding and overpaying to blaming the “rigged” market — and how to stay strategic instead of desperate. Through real client stories and decades of experience, they’ll show you how every missed offer brings you one step closer to landing the right home at the right price.

So if you’ve just had your first “no,” don’t panic — you’re learning the ropes.

By the end of this episode, you’ll see rejection for what it really is: preparation for success.

Listen now and learn how to turn setbacks into strategy — and why persistence always pays off.

00:00 – Introduction

01:33 – Inside the Negotiation Game: What Buyers Often Miss

02:04 – From Rejection to Strategy: Lessons from a “No”

03:59 – Rookie Mistakes That Can Cost You Your First Home

05:47 – How to Build Resilience After Missing Out

07:33 – Bouncing Back Smarter After a Lost Offer

14:27 – Desperation Is Dangerous: Stay Strategic, Not Scared

20:47 – Persistence Pays Off: Keep Showing Up

24:12 – Join Our First Home Buyer Community

• EP 244 - Avoiding Auction Regret: Lessons from a Victoria Buyer’s $43K Loss

• 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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

Making an offer on your first home can feel like stepping into a high-stakes guessing game. Agents hint at “other buyers,” deadlines appear out of nowhere, and emotions run high. It’s no wonder so many first-timers overpay — or miss out entirely.

In this episode, Veronica and Meighan pull back the curtain on the offer process so you can stop second-guessing yourself. They explain the different methods of sale across Australia, why understanding state rules is crucial, and how real estate agents use negotiation tactics to push buyers beyond their limits.

You’ll learn the role of research in setting your walk-away price, the importance of timing your offer, and why auctions — though intimidating — can sometimes protect you from paying too much. The hosts also share red flags to watch out for, including false urgency, “best and final” traps, and emotional bidding that blows budgets.

If you’ve ever felt lost, pressured, or outplayed during negotiations, this episode will give you the clarity and structure you need. By the end, you’ll know how to make confident offers, avoid costly rookie mistakes, and approach the process with the same toolkit used by buyer’s agents.

👉 Ready to master the offer stage? Listen now and take one more step toward buying smarter.

00:00 — Introduction

01:57 — What the Offer Process Really Looks Like

02:45 — Different States, Different Rules to Know

04:19 — Real Estate Agents: Whose Side Are They On?

05:13 — Research & Timing: Keys to a Smart Offer

07:00 — Auctions vs. Private Treaty: Which Is Safer?

08:14 — Negotiation Strategies That Give You Power

09:15 — Red Flags in the Offer Process to Watch For

10:36 — Emotional Bidding: The #1 Budget Killer

12:17 — Preparation Beats Panic in the Offer Stage

12:55 — Next Steps: Getting Support to Buy Smarter

• The “Other Buyer” Tactic: Real Threat or Agent Bluff?
• Melbourne Case Study: When Preparation Meets Opportunity

• 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 saved, sacrificed, and finally built up your deposit. But here’s the catch: your deposit is only part of the story. Buying your first home comes with a stack of hidden costs that can completely blindside you if you’re not prepared.

In this episode, Veronica and Meighan pull back the curtain on the sneaky expenses that first home buyers often forget. From stamp duty surprises and loan fees to building inspections, strata reports, and conveyancing costs, they explain what you really need to budget for before signing a contract. You’ll also hear why skipping inspections to “save money” can end up costing you tens of thousands — and the simple steps to avoid those rookie mistakes.

But the costs don’t stop once you’ve bought the home. We unpack the ongoing expenses — council rates, strata levies, water bills, insurance, maintenance, and even moving costs — that can quietly eat away at your cash flow. Plus, we share real stories of unexpected repairs (like underground plumbing disasters and broken air cons) that prove why every buyer needs a buffer.

If you’ve been focused only on your deposit, this episode is your wake-up call. The good news? With the right planning, you can step into homeownership without fear of budget blowouts or nasty surprises.

00:00 – Introduction

01:19 – Hidden Costs Buyers Overlook

02:01 – Understanding Stamp Duty

02:40 – Loan Fees & LMI Costs

03:27 – Legal & Inspection Must-Haves

05:43 – Rates, Levies & Ongoing Bills

08:17 – The Importance of a Financial Buffer

10:44 – Planning and Budgeting for Success

• 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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

Navigating your first home purchase is like stepping into uncharted waters — and for Luisa, it came with extra hurdles. COVID wiped out her savings, property jargon felt like another language, and even her partner questioned whether her standards were too high.

What changed the game? The First Home Buyer course.

By following the process, Luisa learned how to prepare properly, stick to her checklist, and persist when the search felt overwhelming. The course gave her the tools to understand the system, stay confident, and spot genuine opportunities.

That preparation paid off when she secured an off-market property in her dream suburb — without compromising on what mattered most.

Luisa is clear: without the course, her story would have ended very differently. For any first home buyer, her experience proves that knowledge, preparation, and persistence are the difference between regret and the right home.

Listen now and see how the First Home Buyer Course can help you achieve the same clarity and confidence.

00:00 – Introduction

02:18 – From Colombia to Melbourne: Starting the Journey

03:54 – Adjusting to Australia’s Property System

04:51 – How Luisa and Her Partner Saved for the Deposit

08:23 – Why Education and Preparation Made All the Difference

15:58 – How Talking to Agents Opened the Right Doors

18:12 – Securing the Home and Reflections on the Journey

• 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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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 how it looks on inspection day — it’s about how it feels to live in year-round. 

The tricky part? Sellers and agents often showcase a property in its best light (literally). That sunny deck, breezy living room, or quiet coastal street might look perfect in one season, but turn into a nightmare when the weather shifts.

In this episode, Meighan and Veronica uncover the seasonal traps that catch countless first home buyers. From west-facing living rooms that feel like ovens in summer to drafty, freezing hallways in winter, you’ll learn how aspect, orientation, and insulation can completely change the livability — and running costs — of a home.

They also tackle the less obvious culprits: strong seasonal winds, mossie invasions, noisy flight paths, and even tourism patterns that can turn a peaceful suburb into a packed carpark. These are the realities few buyers think to check, but they can make or break your comfort (and your budget).

By the end of the episode, you’ll know what to look for across all four seasons — not just the day you inspect — so you can make smarter, regret-free decisions. Because a first home should feel right year-round, not just when the sun is shining.

Listen now to avoid seasonal surprises and buy with confidence.

00:00 – Introduction

02:08 – Understanding Seasonality in Home Buying

03:58 – Aspect, Light, and Heat Considerations

06:34 – Wind and Weather Factors

09:46 – Dealing with Insects and Nature

12:57 – Quiet Streets in Winter, Gridlock in Summer

15:00 – Heating, Cooling, and Insulation

18:45 – Don’t Buy for Summer Alone: Final Takeaways

• 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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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 a dream come true — no need to save for years, no lenders’ mortgage insurance, and a faster ticket into the market. But here’s the reality: schemes like the First Home Buyer Guarantee often reshape the market in ways buyers don’t expect.

In this episode, Meighan and Veronica unpack the real impact of the 5% deposit scheme. From Brisbane’s overheated sub-$1M market to the quiet opportunities sitting just above the cap, they reveal why first home buyers are paying more than properties are truly worth — and how to avoid joining the herd.

They explain the trade-offs: how Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) can sometimes unlock better value than the scheme itself, why long-term growth matters more than short-term savings, and how overpaying now could trap you in a stagnant property for years to come.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know the risks of relying on the 5% deposit scheme, the smarter alternatives that could set you up for long-term success, and the key questions to ask your broker before making your move.

Don’t just follow the crowd. Learn how to buy strategically — not reactively.

00:00 – Introduction

02:03 – How the 5% Deposit Scheme Really Works

03:20 – The Scheme’s Impact on Property Prices

05:12 – Smarter Alternatives: LMI vs. 5% Deposit

08:10 – Strategic Thinking for First Home Buyers

15:35 – Final Thoughts & Course Information

• 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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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 property is already nerve-wracking — but nothing rattles buyers more than hearing, “There’s another offer on the table.” Is it true competition, or just a sales tactic designed to push you into bidding more than you planned?

In this episode, Veronica and Meighan pull back the curtain on the infamous “other buyer” bluff — a strategy many agents openly admit to using. You’ll learn why it works (hello, FOMO), how to tell when it’s real, and the red flags that suggest it’s nothing more than pressure tactics.

We also walk through practical tools to keep your cool: from asking the right questions that reveal whether another buyer exists, to setting your walk-away price long before negotiations begin. You’ll hear why auction transparency can sometimes be a safer bet than private treaty, and why social proof plays such a powerful role in these conversations.

Most importantly, you’ll discover how to stay grounded, avoid overpaying, and protect yourself from manipulation — even when the pressure is high. Because buying your first home should be strategic, not a knee-jerk reaction to a sales pitch.

Don’t let fear or bluffing tactics derail your first home purchase. Listen now and learn how to buy smart, not scared.

00:00 – Introduction

01:47 – Understanding Sales Agent Tactics

02:32 – Common Buyer Scenarios

02:49 – Dealing with Sudden Competition

03:11 – Market Conditions and Buyer Psychology

03:36 – Recognizing Real vs. Fake Offers

09:35 – Testing the Existence of Other Buyers

10:45 – Setting Your Budget and Limits

14:34 – Negotiation Strategies

17:20 – Avoiding Manipulation

21:22 – Understanding the Sales Game

26:18 – Transparency in Auctions vs. Private Sales

27:54 – Final Tips for Buyers

• 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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

Imagine saving for years, finally building up a $43,000 deposit, only to risk losing it all because of one overlooked detail.

That’s exactly what happened to a Victorian first home buyer caught out by a little-known property type — and the fine print of a government scheme.

In this episode, Meighan and Veronica unpack a real-life buyer disaster that highlights just how easy it is to confuse stratum title with strata title. They explain what stratum actually is, why banks and schemes often reject it, and how a rebound auction decision left this buyer in a financial nightmare.

You’ll learn why due diligence is never optional — from getting a solicitor to review contracts, to understanding the small print in shared equity schemes like the Victorian Homebuyer Fund and the soon-to-launch federal Help to Buy program. We also explore how excitement, missed inspections, and poor advice can cloud judgment and lead to costly mistakes.

If you’ve ever felt tempted to rush into a property after missing out, or if you’re considering government assistance programs, this story is your warning. Don’t let confusion or haste put your hard-earned deposit at risk — get the right advice, follow the right process, and buy with confidence.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction

02:22 – The Home Buyer’s Tale Begins

03:14 – Understanding Stratum Title

05:21 – The Costly Mistake

07:42 – Government Schemes and Their Pitfalls

09:39 – Read the Fine Print: SuperSaver Scheme Mistake

10:34 – Shared Equity Schemes Explained

15:36 – Lessons from the Buyer’s Experience

20:07 – Final Thoughts and Course Promotion

Mentions

• Ep. 229 – Grants, Schemes & Stamp Duty: The Costly Mistake First Home Buyers Keep Making
• Help to Buy

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

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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scary strata reports, surprise levies, and the fear of being gazumped — these are the traps that can derail a first home buyer’s journey.

In this episode, we dive into the most recent questions buyers are asking in our Facebook Group. You’ll hear how to approach a strata report without panicking, what concrete cancer and special levies actually mean for your wallet, and why some red flags are worth running from — while others can be factored into the price.

We also break down the stress of holding deposits and explain exactly when your contract is secure, and when gazumping could still catch you out. Plus, we tackle villa units — a property type that sits somewhere between an apartment and a townhouse — and show you how scarcity and land content affect their long-term value. And if you’re thinking of making an unconditional offer, we cover the must-do checks you cannot afford to skip.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by defects, levies, or confusing contract terms, this conversation will give you the clarity to move forward without regret.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction

02:09 – Understanding Strata Reports

02:40 – Q1: Researching Issues in Strata Reports

05:45 – Q2: Can You Be Outbid After Signing a Contract?

09:17 – Q3: How to Evaluate Villa Units

13:25 – Q4: Making Unconditional Offers in NSW

15:06 – Q5: Defects, Levies & Price: Dealbreaker or Discount?

17:42 – Conclusion and Final Advice

Mentions

• Episode 30 - Where Do You Start with Due Diligence?
• Episode 128 - How are private treaty offers handled across Australian states?

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

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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.