Buying with just a 5% deposit sounds like a dream — until you see what it really means for your borrowing power, repayments, and long-term financial safety. In this episode, Meighan and Veronica sit down with financial planner James Wrigley to break down the numbers behind the government’s guarantee scheme, and why so many first home buyers misunderstand how it actually works.

James reveals the real cost of borrowing 95% of a property’s value — from enormous loan sizes to eye-watering repayments — and explains why income requirements soar as loan sizes increase. You’ll hear the stark difference between buying at the top of Sydney’s $1.5M cap versus Melbourne’s $950k cap, and why couples dramatically outperform singles simply because of Australia’s tax system. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I actually afford this?”, this conversation brings the clarity you’ve been missing.

The trio also unpack hidden costs like stamp duty (often turning a “5% deposit” into closer to 10%), the dangers of maxing out borrowing capacity, and why having no buffer puts buyers at risk if interest rates rise. They explore how price caps influence decision-making, why chasing incentives can push you toward poorer-quality properties, and why your first property matters more than you think for your long-term ability to upgrade.

Whether you’re considering the 5% scheme, unsure if your income stacks up, or simply trying to understand the flow-on effects of a small deposit, this episode will leave you informed, grounded, and more confident about your next step.

00:00 – Introduction to the 5% Deposit Scheme

01:11 – Meet the Expert: James Wrigley

02:09 – Understanding the 5% Deposit Guarantee Scheme

03:15 – Financial Implications of a 5% Deposit

05:11 – Income Requirements for High-Value Loans

08:16 – Comparing Sydney and Melbourne Markets

16:05 – The Importance of the First Property Purchase

18:38 – The Importance of Quality Over Schemes

19:19 – Navigating Cash Flow and Mortgage Affordability

20:36 – When is a 5% Deposit a Good Idea?

21:30 – Scenarios Where the Scheme Works

23:02 – Understanding Loan Costs and Repayments

24:33 – The Risks of High Loan-to-Value Ratios

26:15 – Advice for Older First Home Buyers

30:44 – Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned

33:57 – Final Thoughts and Joining the Community

1. 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!

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

Subscribe on Spotify:

Planning to buy your first home in 2026? The market won’t magically get easier — but the buyers who prepare early will have a real advantage. In this episode, Meighan and Veronica break down what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and the exact steps smart buyers are taking now to get ahead.

You’ll learn how shifting lending policies, government incentives, tight rental markets and rising competition are shaping the year ahead. The hosts also unpack the risks of shared equity schemes, why 95% loans demand smarter asset selection, and why strategy — not emotion — will matter more than ever.

Most importantly, they reveal the preparation steps that actually move the needle: tightening your finances, checking your borrowing power, building buffers, defining your buying strategy, and avoiding analysis paralysis.

If you want clarity instead of chaos in 2026, this episode gives you the framework to move forward with confidence.

00:00 – Introduction: Preparing to Buy Your First Home in 2026

01:28 – Understanding the 2026 Property Market

02:33 – Key Takeaways for 2026 Home Buyers

03:10 – Market Outlook and Trends

06:17 – Financial and Policy Changes to Watch

10:52 – Practical Tips for First Home Buyers

13:11 – Avoiding Common Mistakes

16:10 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement

18:49 – Conclusion and Resources

• 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

This year brought some of our most eye-opening and challenging conversations yet. In this Christmas-Eve episode, we’re pulling together the biggest insights from 2025. These aren’t highlights — they’re gold nuggets that could save you money, regret, and years of lost progress.

We revisit the truth about rentvesting, the episode that reshaped how we explain compounding growth, and the surprising risks uncovered through Title Insurance. You’ll also hear our breakdown of the Pain & Gain Report, showing why some properties boom while others stall. These lessons genuinely shifted how first home buyers should approach their decisions.

We unpack what hot markets taught us about buyer behaviour, offer strategy, and staying grounded under pressure. We also revisit powerful coaching moments from our Campfire sessions. These real conversations helped buyers get unstuck and apply the process with clarity.

Whether you’re planning to buy in early 2026 or trying to make sense of the market, this episode distils what truly matters. You’ll learn how to think long-term, reduce risk, and choose assets with confidence. If it saves you even one misstep, every conversation this year has been worth it.

00:00 — Introduction and Podcast Highlights

00:38 — Welcome to Your First Home Buyer Guide

01:23 — Reflecting on Key Lessons

02:14 — Rentvesting Insights

03:20 — Understanding Title Insurance

05:36 — The Power of Compounding Growth

08:54 — CoreLogic Pain and Gain Report

13:24 — Navigating Offers in Hot Markets

16:00 — Understanding the Home Buying Process

16:48 — Exclusive Campfire Coaching Sessions

18:40 — Mindset and Media Influence

20:34 — Navigating Home Buyer Blues

23:49 — Making the Right Compromises

26:08 — Learning from Disaster Stories

27:18 — Engaging with the Community

28:38 — Year-End Reflections and Holiday Wishes

• Episode 205 — Rentvesting: What You Need to Know Before Taking the Leap
• Episode 207 — How Rentvesting Can Secure—or Sabotage—Your Financial Future
• Episode 211 — What Tax Benefits Can First-Home Buyers Gain from Rentvesting?
• Episode 212 — What Happens When Due Diligence Isn’t Enough?
• Episode 218 — The Magic of Compounding—Why It’s a Game-Changer for Property Owners
• Episode 225 — Inside Australia’s Riskiest Property Types According to New Data
• Episode 226 — How First Home Buyers Can Keep Up in a Hot Property Market
• Episode 230 — Inside a Real Coaching Call That Transforms First Home Buyers
• Episode 239 — Fix the Habits, Change the Game: What It Really Takes to Buy Your First Home

Your dream suburb’s out of reach? Don’t panic. You’re not locked out of the property market—just in need of a smarter strategy.

In this episode, Meighan and Veronica unpack three powerful ways to buy your first property sooner, even if you can’t afford to live exactly where you want right now. From rentvesting and using a guarantor to co-ownership, they break down how each option works, the risks to watch for, and how to choose what fits your long-term goals.

You’ll learn the golden rules of rentvesting (and why “investment grade” property matters), when it makes sense to lean on the Bank of Mum and Dad, and how to set up solid agreements if you’re buying with family or friends. They also call out the hidden traps—like government incentives that look generous but can actually cost you long-term growth.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, priced out, or convinced your dream suburb will never happen, this episode is your circuit breaker. You’ll walk away knowing how to get started, make strategic compromises, and build a plan that gets you in the market without giving up on your goals.

Listen now and learn how to buy smart—even when you can’t buy where you want.

00:00 – Overcoming the Dream Suburb Dilemma

01:31 – How the PACE System Helps You Plan

03:09 – What Rentvesting Really Means

09:46 – How a Guarantor Can Help You Buy

10:52 – LMI or Guarantor Which Is Better

12:03 – What to Know About Grants and Schemes

14:29 – Pooling Resources Through Co Ownership

15:19 – Getting Legal and Financial Advice

17:42 – Final Thoughts and Next Steps

• Episode 256 – Mortgage Strategy for First Home Buyers
• Episode 205 – Rentvesting: What You Need to Know Before Taking the Leap
• Episode 207 – How Rentvesting Can Secure—or Sabotage—Your Financial Future
• Episode 211– What Tax Benefits Can First-Home Buyers Gain from Rentvesting?
• Episode 152 – How Guarantor Loans & Government Deposit Schemes Work for First Home Buyers
• Episode 49 – What Can Go Wrong When Borrowing from the Bank of Mum & Dad? (with Barry Frakes)

• 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:

Young Australians are priced out — but the real story is far more empowering. They’re not stepping back from the market; they’re stepping in with strategy, curiosity, and better tools than ever. From rentvesting to financial education on TikTok, buyers today are finding new ways to enter the market on their own terms.

Today’s first home buyers are strategic, curious, and using platforms like TikTok to learn about rentvesting, borrowing, and smart property decisions.

In this episode, Meighan and Veronica chat with Ray White economists Nerida Conisbee and Atom Go Tian about their research into what first home buyers are actually doing. From trending TikTok finance topics to the rise of rentvesting and the impact of the 5% deposit scheme, the data shows buyers are taking action — not giving up.

We break down why younger buyers trust social media over traditional media, how financial literacy is growing fast, and why many are choosing strategy over “dream homes.”

00:00 — Introduction: First Home Buyers Are Getting Smarter

00:23 — Meet the Hosts and Their Mission

01:04 —Debunking the Media Narrative

01:39 — Strategies of Modern First Home Buyers

02:27 — The Role of Social Media in Property Education

03:32 — Rentvesting: A Popular Strategy

04:23 — Challenges and Misconceptions

07:19 — Engagement Patterns on TikTok

09:46 — Financial Literacy and Social Media

22:12 — The Importance of Location-Specific Research

31:03 — Advice for First Home Buyers

32:57 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts

• 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

Is your first home a good investment — or just a place to live? In this episode, Meighan and Veronica unpack the fundamentals of property investing that every first home buyer needs to understand, whether you’re buying to live in it or planning to rent-vest.

You’ll learn why thinking like an investor from day one can set you up for long-term financial success — and why not all “investment properties” are created equal. The duo break down the difference between investment-grade properties and investor stock, and reveal the simple rule that could save you from buying a shiny new dud: If it’s easy to buy, it’s probably hard to sell.

They also dig into the biggest wealth-building mistake first home buyers make — chasing yield instead of capital growth — and explain why land value matters more than the building on it. You’ll hear how local knowledge, scarcity, and buyer competition drive capital growth, and why “the fundamentals” look different in every suburb.

If you’ve ever wondered how to tell a great investment from a risky one, or what truly drives long-term growth, this episode is your blueprint.

Listen now and learn how to make your first home a smart investment — not just a purchase.

00:00 — Introduction to Property Investment

01:16 — Understanding the PACE System

03:29 — Investment Grade vs. Investment Stock

06:24 — The Importance of Capital Growth

09:16 — Land Value vs. Building Value

14:26 — Red Flags in Property Investment

16:21 — Key Factors for Assessing Property

18:27 — Evaluating Homes and Local Traffic Challenges

19:56 — Understanding Demographics and Socioeconomic Factors

21:29 — Rentability and Property Potential

23:49 — Supply and Scarcity in Real Estate

25:42 — Affordability and Investment Fundamentals

30:50 — The True Cost of Property Ownership

32:37 — Final Thoughts and Advice for Home 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/@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 start their journey by hunting for the lowest interest rate — but according to mortgage strategist Stuart Wemyss, that’s one of the biggest financial mistakes you can make.

In this episode, Veronica and Meighan dive deep with Stuart to unpack the part of home buying almost no one understands properly: your borrowing strategy.

Stuart explains why the way you structure your loan has far more long-term impact than shaving a few points off your rate. From borrowing capacity and offset accounts to tax effectiveness and refinancing, this conversation reveals how your first loan becomes the foundation for every property decision that follows.

You’ll learn why the “cheapest” loan can actually cost you more later, how to preserve your flexibility for future moves, and why thinking ahead to your second and third property is just as important as buying your first. Stuart also breaks down common mistakes first home buyers make — like aggressively paying down their loan, getting stuck with the wrong lender, or failing to plan for life changes — and explains how to avoid them with a smart, forward-thinking strategy.

If you want to buy well, borrow well, and set yourself up for what comes next, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

00:00 – Introduction to Mortgage Strategy

01:20 – Understanding Borrowing Strategy

02:27 – Importance of Finance Strategy

07:37 – Common Mistakes by First Home Buyers

12:37 – Tax Implications and Offset Accounts

14:40 – Rentvesting and Its Benefits

19:41 – Tax-Free Property Sale Strategy

20:23 – Choosing the Right Lender

21:47 – The Importance of Refinancing

25:43 – Navigating Online Lenders

30:10 – The Role of Mortgage Brokers

31:55 – Advice for First Home Buyers

33:37 – Final Thoughts and Practical Tips

• Episode 28: Substations, LMI, Rentvesting, Auctions & Strata Risks: First Home Buyer Q&A

• 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

If you’ve been spending your nights scrolling realestate.com.au or Domain, convincing yourself it counts as research — this episode is your wake-up call.

In this week’s episode, Veronica and Meighan reveal the truth about why endless scrolling isn't a strategy, and how to build a first home buying plan that actually works. You’ll learn how to move from chaos to clarity using their three key pillars — your goals, your finances, and your property plan — so you can stop ping-ponging between suburbs and start making real progress.

They unpack why most first home buyers get the order wrong, the emotional traps that derail your search, and how a clear “why” behind your purchase will guide every decision you make. You’ll also hear real stories of buyers who wasted years in research mode until they built a strategy — and how one simple mindset shift helped them buy within six weeks.

If you’re ready to stop reacting to listings and start leading your property journey with confidence, this episode is your blueprint for smarter, calmer, and more strategic buying.

Listen now and learn how to build your first home strategy — the right way.

00:00 – Introduction and Misconceptions

00:12 – The Importance of Strategy

01:45 – Why Scrolling Isn't a Strategy

03:04 – Common Pitfalls and Misconceptions

05:38 – The Three Ps of Home Buying

07:18 – The Importance of Knowing Your Why

11:10 – Avoiding Common Mistakes

13:29 – Filtering Information Overload

14:07 – Financial Reality and Pre-Approval

15:06 – Making Trade-Offs and Prioritizing

16:31 – Case Study: Sarah's Journey

19:00 – Building Your First Home Strategy

23:44 – The Value of a Personalized Roadmap

25:48 – Conclusion and Community Invitation

• 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