You’ve probably seen the claim online that paying your mortgage fortnightly will save you thousands in interest. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down why that isn’t always true, and why it all comes down to how your bank actually calculates your repayments.

You’ll learn the two different repayment methods lenders use, when the “save thousands” theory works, and when switching to fortnightly makes no difference at all. We also cover how to choose the right repayment method for you.

In this episode:

🔑 The two ways banks calculate weekly and fortnightly repayments

🔑 When the “save thousands” theory actually works and when it doesn’t

🔑 How to choose the right repayment frequency for your situation

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction and What’s Happening in the First Home Buyer Market (November 2025)

03:00 - The Viral Fortnightly Repayment Claim Explained

03:41 - The Half-Monthly Repayment Method & Example Breakdown

05:35 - Paying Your Loan on Your Terms (Not the Bank’s)

08:15 - The Actual Repayment Method & Example Breakdown

09:34 - Why Lenders Use Different Repayment Methods

12:39 - Jack’s Take: Why Monthly Repayments Often Work Best

13:13 - Chris’s Take: Cashflow, Behaviour, and Real-Life Strategy

14:58 - Considerations for Investment Purchases & Wrap-Up

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MoneySmart Mortgage Calculator

Episode 21 | Unlocking Unlocking How Your Mortgage Actually Works

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firsthomeunlocked.com.au

Most first home buyers think a mortgage is just a loan but understanding how it actually works can help you use it as a tool for long-term flexibility and freedom.

In this episode, Jack Elliott breaks down how your mortgage works behind the scenes, from principal and interest to loan terms, repayment options, and how banks calculate interest daily. You’ll learn what really happens after settlement, how repayments are structured, and what influences the total cost of your loan over time.

If you’ve ever wondered where your money actually goes each month or how lenders calculate your repayments, this episode explains it all in clear, simple terms.

In this episode:

🔑 What a mortgage actually is

🔑 Principal, interest, and how repayments are calculated

🔑 How interest is charged daily and what that means for you

🔑 Loan terms explained and how they shape total repayments

🎧 Listen now and understand exactly how your mortgage works with clarity and confidence.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to how your Mortgage Actually Works

01:28 - What is a Mortgage?

02:06 - Key Parts of a Mortgage

02:59 - Understanding Interest & How it is Calculated

03:24 - How Much Do You Really Pay Back?

04:55 - Understanding Interest Rates

05:34 - Variable Interest Rates

06:58 - Fixed Interest Rate

08:07 - Rates Will Change Over Time & Assessment Buffers

08:59 - How Repayments Work

10:23 - Loan Terms & Flexibility

11:54 - Loan Fees & Features

12:16 - Wrap Up on Understanding Mortgages & Key Takeaway

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Episode 1 | Unlocking Your Property Vision as a First Home Buyer

Episode 3 | Unlocking the Real Cost of Buying Your First Home

Episode 6 | Unlocking Asset Quality: How to Choose the Right Property as a First Home Buyer

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👉 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

The First Home Guarantee Scheme has a new name, it’s now called the 5% Deposit Scheme, but how it actually works, and what the latest report reveals, might surprise you.

In this episode, Jack Elliott unpacks the 2024–25 Financial Year Housing Australia Report and clears up the biggest myths surrounding the scheme: that it’s brand new, that it’s tied to one political party, and that it’s high-risk for buyers. You’ll learn what the data really shows about borrower performance, how the scheme is being used across Australia, and what it actually costs to buy under it.

Whether you’ve heard mixed messages online or you’re wondering if this could help you buy sooner, this conversation will help you understand the facts and how to use the scheme strategically.

In this episode:

🔑 Why the 5% Deposit Scheme isn’t new (and how it’s evolved since 2020)

🔑 The real numbers from the 2024–25 Housing Australia Report

🔑 How arrears and defaults compare to the broader market

🔑 What “borrowing at 95% LVR” really means for risk and buffers

🔑 Why you’ll need more than a 5% deposit once all upfront costs are included.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to the 5% Deposit Scheme Report

01:55 - What is the 5% Deposit Scheme?

02:22 - Misconception 1: The Scheme is New

03:56 - Misconception 2: It is a Labour Only Scheme

04:41 - Misconception 3: There’s a high risk of defaults or arrears

05:33 - Understanding the Risk of using the 5% Deposit Scheme

06:45 - Misconception 4: You only need a 5% deposit to buy

09:03 - What the 2024–25 Financial Year Report Shows

01:20 - The Key Takeaway when using the 5% Deposit Scheme

10:51 - Wrap-Up & What’s Coming Next

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HGS Trends and Insights Report 2024-25

Original 5% Deposit Scheme Accountment (2020)

National Arrears Data

Episode 1 | Unlocking Your Property Vision as a First Home Buyer

Episode 3 | Unlocking the Real Cost of Buying Your First Home

Episode 6 | Unlocking Asset Quality: How to Choose the Right Property as a First Home Buyer

Episode 10 | Unlocking the First Home Guarantee Scheme: Buying Your First Home With 5% Deposit

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,