You’ve made your offer, it’s been accepted, and the contracts are signed, now what?

In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates walk you through the final stage of the buying process, from formal loan approval to collecting your keys on settlement day. They explain the role of your broker and conveyancer, how valuations work, and what to expect at each step so you can finish the process feeling calm and confident.

You’ll also hear a real case study comparing a preapproved buyer with one who skipped this step, and how it changed their experience.

Wherever you are in your buying journey, this episode will help you get settlement-ready.

In this episode:

🔑 What happens after your offer is accepted

🔑 How valuations work

🔑 The broker and conveyancer’s role in getting to settlement

🔑 Key steps between formal approval and settlement day

🔑 Real case study: preapproved vs no preapproval

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and what we’ll cover

02:24 – What happens once your offer is accepted

03:25 – Two types of valuations: desktop vs in-person

09:08 – Formal approval: what it is and why it matters

09:47 – Pre-approved vs no pre-approval: how the process changes

14:16 – What happens after formal approval? Steps to settlement

15:56 – How to ensure a smooth settlement process

17:26 – What actually happens on settlement day

19:13 – Getting prepared early (and how your broker should help)

19:51 – Key takeaways and what’s next for First Home Unlocked

🎧 Listen now to feel prepared and confident when it’s time to settle on your first home.

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Get Your Settlement Ready Guide

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👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community

📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored support

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firsthomeunlocked.com.au

Making an offer on your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when every agent handles things differently, and there are no standard rules.

In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down exactly how to approach the offer process with clarity and confidence. They explain the different types of sales (private sale vs auction), how to structure a strong offer, and the key questions to ask the agent before putting pen to paper.

You’ll learn what conditions can protect you, what happens once your offer is accepted, and how to avoid common traps that catch first home buyers out.

Whether you're weeks away from making an offer or just starting to look, this episode gives you the tools to make a smart move when the time comes.

In this episode:

🔑 What to ask the agent before making an offer

🔑 The difference between private sales and auctions

🔑 How to assess what a property is really worth (price guides are just a guide)

🔑 How to structure a strong offer (it’s not always about price)

🔑 Conditions that protect you and when to use them

00:00 – Every agent handles offers differently

02:08 – Why you should engage your conveyancer early

04:47 – Understanding sale types: private sale vs auction

09:02 – Biggest mistakes buyers make at auction

11:56 – What is the property actually worth?

15:43 – What’s included in a written offer?

17:09 – When do you actually pay your deposit?

19:20 – Conditions that protect you: finance, cooling-off, building & pest

24:45 – Finalising contracts: what to confirm before signing

26:01 – Key takeaways and what’s coming next

🎧 Listen now to feel prepared and confident when it’s time to make your first offer.

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Get Your Making An Offer Resource:

Want to keep the conversation going?

👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community

📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored support

📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube

firsthomeunlocked.com.au

Buying your first home isn’t just about getting into the market, it’s about making a smart choice that supports your goals now and sets you up for what comes next.

In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down what makes a property high-quality and why the right home should work for you today and hold value for the future.

They walk you through a clear, top-down approach to evaluating asset quality, starting at the macro level with location, supply, and demand, then zooming in to the street, the home itself, layout, and land.

You’ll learn what to avoid (like new development areas or off-the-plan apartments), how to identify rare or high-demand homes, and how to balance lifestyle with long-term value.

Whether you're buying to stay long-term or planning to upgrade in a few years, this episode will help you avoid emotional buying and make a smart, strategic decision.

In this episode:

🔑 What asset quality really means (and why it matters)

🔑 Why you should zoom out before falling in love with a property

🔑 How to assess location, supply and demand

🔑 What to look for in a suburb, street, and specific home

🔑 The difference between land value and building value

🔑 Key red flags and signs of long-term value

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why asset quality is so important for first home buyers

04:18 – Start by zooming out. Don’t get emotionally attached too early

08:18 – Macro-level: Understanding supply and demand

14:39 – Buying with future buyers in mind

17:19 – Zooming into suburb and location quality

19:00 – What important factors to look for on the street?

26:47 – What about the property itself? What to look for at inspections?

32:58 – The importance of Asset Quality for First Home Buyers

34:19 – The importance of land vs the building

35:02 – Key takeaways

🎧 Listen now and learn how to buy with confidence, not just convenience.

Unlock your Free Resources

Download your Asset Quality Checklist

Want to keep the conversation going?

👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community

📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored support

📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube

firsthomeunlocked.com.au