First Home Unlocked

Making an offer is where a lot of first home buyers get stuck. How do you make an offer? How much do you offer? What do you say to the agent? Nobody explains the process, and once you're in it, things move quickly and the pressure builds. In this episode, Jack sits down with buyers agents Veronica Morgan and Meighan Wells to walk through the offer process for a private sale, from preparation through to negotiation. They cover what to have sorted first, including why your conveyancer needs to see the contract before you offer rather than after, and when an offer actually becomes binding, because it's not the moment the agent says yes. Veronica and Meighan also break down everything an offer contains beyond the price, from the deposit and settlement terms to inclusions, and how a lower offer with the right terms can beat a higher one. And they get into how agents run a negotiation, the questions to ask along the way, and what to say when you're asked whether you can go higher. Whether you're making an offer this weekend, still working out what you can afford, or somewhere in between, understanding the process is what helps you make confident decisions when you start offering and negotiating. In this episode: 🔑 What to have organised before you make an offer 🔑 The questions to ask an agent about their offer process 🔑 When an offer actually becomes binding, and why it changes state to state 🔑 What makes up an offer beyond the price 🔑 When an unconditional offer makes sense, and the finance risks to check with your broker 🔑 What to say when an agent asks if you can go higher Timestamps 00:00 - How to Make an Offer in a Private Sale 02:42 - What to Organise Before You Make an Offer 06:54 - How to Choose a Conveyancer or Solicitor 11:50 - What to Ask a Real Estate Agent Before Offering 15:55 - When Does an Offer Become Binding? 22:10 - How Much Deposit Do You Need to Pay? 25:05 - Unconditional Offers and the Finance Risks 30:07 - What's Included When You Buy a Property? 34:38 - Real Estate Agent Tactics and How to Respond 37:24 - How to Talk to an Agent During a Negotiation 41:15 - How to Work Out What a Property Is Worth 42:45 - Why an Offer Is Never Just a Number Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack, mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. More about Home Buyer Academy Home Buyer Academy First Home Buyer Course Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast First Home Unlocked listeners get 50% off the First Home Buyer Course and access to the weekly Campfire sessions when they work with Jack as their mortgage broker. Connect with Veronica Good Deeds Property Buyers Veronica's LinkedIn Connect with Meighan Property Pursuit Meighan's LinkedIn Mentioned Episodes Episode 45: Inspections and Due Diligence: What to Check Before You Buy Your First Home 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

Most first home buyers walk into an open home already at a disadvantage. The styling is there to make you feel something, the agent is warm, and everything on show has been prepared by people who do this professionally. That's not a failure of judgement, it's a sales process working exactly as intended. What happens between that first inspection and signing a contract is where the real work sits, and it's the part almost nobody explains. Jack is joined again by buyers agents Veronica Morgan and Meighan Wells to walk through the checks that happen once you've found a property you're serious about. They cover what to assess at an inspection beyond the presentation, why a second look reveals things the first one never will, and what a building and pest inspection actually covers. They also get into the due diligence that has nothing to do with the building itself, from council approvals and zoning to what could be built behind your back fence, and the strata report checks that come with buying an apartment or townhouse. Whether you're already spending your Saturdays at open homes or still working out where to start, this is the stage where the right questions save you the most money. In this episode: 🔑 What to actually assess at an inspection once you look past the styling 🔑 What a building and pest inspection covers, and what it doesn't 🔑 Why the agent's report may not be working in your interest 🔑 The council, zoning and strata report checks that go beyond the property itself 🔑 How to weigh up what comes back and decide whether to proceed or walk away Timestamps 00:00 - What to Check Before You Buy a Property 05:36 - How to Look Past the Styling at an Open Home 08:27 - What to Check at an Open Home 11:43 - What Is a Building and Pest Inspection? 15:09 - Why the Agent's Building Report Isn't Enough 20:26 - When Should You Book a Building and Pest? 23:24 - How to Check Council Records and Zoning 27:11 - What to Check Before Buying an Apartment 31:37 - Should You Proceed or Walk Away? 35:42 - When Not to Walk Away From a Property 38:20 - Where to Find Veronica and Meighan Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack , mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. More about Home Buyer Academy HBA First Home Buyer Course (Access for discounted price if you work with Jack as your mortgage broker - start here ) Home Buyer Academy Website How to Price a Property Mini Course Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast Connect with Veronica Veronica Morgan Website Good Deeds Property Buyers Veronica's LinkedIn Connect with Meighan Property Pursuit Website Meighan's LinkedIn 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

You open the apps, set up a few alerts, and start going to inspections. A few months in, nothing is working, everything sells for well above what the guide said, and you're starting to wonder how anyone is affording it. Veronica Morgan and Meighan Wells see this constantly, and they say the frustration is almost always because of a search that was set up the wrong way from day one. In this episode, Jack sits down with Veronica and Meighan to work through the search phase properly. We talk about pressure testing your non-negotiables against what your budget will actually deliver, why the same feature can be a deal breaker in one suburb and negotiable in the next, and what separates a genuine off-market property from a pre-market one. Veronica and Meighan also explain why agents almost universally quote low, how to build your own view of what a property is worth using comparable sales, and how to work with selling agents so you become the buyer they call first. Whether you're inspecting every weekend, still working out where your budget actually stretches to, or just getting your head around how the process works, this episode will change how you approach your search. In this episode: 🔑 What to sort out before you start looking, and why it saves months 🔑 How to pressure test your non-negotiables against what your budget will actually buy 🔑 The difference between off-market and pre-market, and why neither guarantees a good deal 🔑 How to read a price guide, and why agents quote low on purpose 🔑 How to build a relationship with a selling agent so you become the first call Timestamps 00:00 - Why Most Property Searches Go Wrong 03:34 - Non-Negotiables vs What Your Budget Will Buy 07:00 - How to Set Up Your Property Search 09:50 - Which Property Search Websites to Use 12:02 - Off-Market vs Pre-Market Property Explained 16:20 - Is an Off-Market Property a Good Deal? 17:48 - How to Read a Price Guide and Why It's Low 23:45 - How to Use Comparable Sales to Value a Property 28:48 - How to Deal With Real Estate Agents 32:25 - Mistakes First Home Buyers Make With Agents 35:38 - Home Buyer Academy Course and Campfire Sessions Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack , mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. Free Resources Download the Goals and Vision Workbook More about Home Buyer Academy HBA First Home Buyer Course (Access for discounted price if you work with Jack as your mortgage broker - start here ) Home Buyer Academy Website Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast Connect with Veronica Veronica's Website Good Deeds Property Buyers Veronica's LinkedIn Connect with Meighan Property Pursuit Website Meighan's LinkedIn Mentioned Episodes Episode 1: Unlocking Your Goals and Vision Episode 41: Unlocking Buyers Agents: What First Home Buyers Need to Know Episode 42: How to Choose a Quality First Home: A Buyers Agent's 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

There's a lot of noise in the market right now. The federal budget changes are locked in, the media coverage has turned negative, and first home buyer loan applications have actually dropped rather than risen. If you're planning to buy your first home, it's hard to know what any of that means for you. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates give a market update on where things really stand post-budget, and why a nervous market can work in a first home buyer's favour. They also run through the three changes that came into effect on 1 July under the First Home 5% Deposit Scheme: higher property price caps in some areas, easier refinancing rules, and a new cap on how much you can retain in savings after settlement. Jack shares a client situation from last week showing how the retained savings change plays out in practice, and why the answer depends on both the scheme rules and the lender you choose. Then there's what you can actually control. Spring listings are coming, and the buyers with a plan in place can act straight away while the ones starting from scratch are weeks behind before they've even inspected a property. In this episode: 🔑 What's really happening in the market now the budget changes are locked in 🔑 The new price caps and which regional areas can now access the higher $1.5 million cap 🔑 What changed with refinancing under the scheme and why the switch is now easier 🔑 The new cap on retained savings, and why each lender sets its own limit underneath it 🔑 The five step roadmap to get yourself spring ready before listings pick up Timestamps 00:00 - Where the Market Really Sits Post Budget 05:44 - What Investors Are Doing and What It Means for You 07:29 - Is It Actually a Good Time to Buy? 09:57 - What Changed on 1 July: The New Price Caps 12:43 - Refinancing Under the 5% Deposit Scheme 13:45 - Retained Savings: The New Cap and a Client Example 17:10 - Why Lender Choice Matters More Than the Cheapest Rate 18:39 - The Five Step Roadmap to Get Spring Ready 24:51 - Why is it Important to Get Spring Ready? 26:45 - Final Thoughts and Wrap Up Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack , mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. Free Resources Goals & Visions Workbook Mentioned Episodes Episode 1: Unlocking Your Goals and Vision Episode 6: Unlocking Asset Quality Episode 10: Unlocking the 5% Deposit Scheme Episode 37: Unlocking the 2026 Federal Budget Episode 39: Unlocking the Real Risk of Buying with a 5% Deposit and How to Protect Yourself Episode 41: Unlocking Buyers Agents: What First Home Buyers Need to Know Episode 42: How to Choose a Quality First Home: A Buyers Agent's 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

We talk about asset quality constantly on this podcast because it's one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a first home buyer. But understanding why it matters and actually knowing how to assess a property in the real world are two different things. That's why Meighan Wells, a buyers agent with over 22 years of experience and founder of Property Pursuit Advisors, is here to break down exactly what asset quality looks like. Your first home isn't just somewhere to live, it's the foundation of your future wealth. In this episode, Meighan walks through why getting this right matters so much for first home buyers, how scarcity, supply, and demand shape long-term growth, and the fundamentals to look for at a suburb level. We also go into what actually makes a good street, a good block of land, and a good property, plus what to look out for on your inspections and the common mistakes first home buyers make that can really cost them down the track. This is a really important episode in understanding what quality actually looks like at each level, from suburb to street to property, is what separates first home buyers who move forward confidently from those who end up making costly mistakes. In this episode: 🔑 Why asset quality matters so much for first home buyers 🔑 How scarcity, supply, and demand shape long-term growth 🔑 What to look for when assessing a suburb 🔑 What makes a good street, block, and property 🔑 What to look out for on inspections and the mistakes to avoid Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing Meighan Wells 01:31 - Meighan's Story: Background and Passion for First Home Buyers 04:12 - Why Asset Quality Matters 05:57 - Scarcity, Supply, and Demand Explained 07:42 - Strategy First, Not Apps 11:08 - What to Consider at Suburb Level 14:02 - Assessing at Street Level 17:45 - What to Look For When Inspecting 26:53 - Aspect and Orientation: What's Ideal 31:04 - Common Mistakes First Home Buyers Make 35:53 - The "Any Property Is Better" Myth 37:42 - What Makes a Good Apartment 40:41 - Townhouses: What to consider? 42:13 - How to Choose between Apartments vs Townhouses vs Houses 46:21 - The Revise and Correct Step 48:54 - What About New Builds? 51:35 - Final Asset Quality Tips 55:06 - Home Buyer Academy and Campfire Sessions 59:04 - Where to Find Megan and Property Pursuit Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. Free Resources How To Choose A Quality First Home In Australia Resource More about Home Buyer Academy HBA First Home Buyer Course (Access for discounted price if you work with Jack as your mortgage broker - start here ) Home Buyer Academy Website Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast Connect with Meighan Property Pursuit Website Meighan's Linkedin Mentioned Episodes Episode 6: Unlocking Asset Quality Want to keep the conversation going? 👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community 📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored mortgage support 📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube firsthomeunlocked.com.au

We've talked a lot on this podcast about getting your finance sorted, but as we always say, the most important decision you'll make is the actual property you purchase. That's why we're kicking off a six-part series with two of Australia's most experienced buyers agents, Veronica Morgan and Meighan Wells from the Home Buyer Academy. Not every first home buyer knows what a buyers agent actually does or whether it's the right fit for them. In this episode, Jack sits down with Veronica to walk through what buyers agents do, how they differ from sales agents, the different ways you can engage one, and what it costs. We also explore the red flags to watch for and the key questions to ask before you commit. If a full buyers agent service isn't within reach right now, Veronica and Meighan have also created a First Home Buyer Course and weekly Campfire sessions that bring you access to expert guidance at a lower price point. In this episode: 🔑 What a buyers agent actually does and how they're different from a sales agent 🔑 The three service tiers available and what each typically costs 🔑 When it makes sense to use a buyers agent 🔑 The red flags to watch out for and the questions to ask before engaging one 🔑 How the Home Buyer Academy course and Campfire sessions support first home buyers Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing Veronica Morgan 02:21 - Why She's Passionate About First Home Buyers 04:29 - Today's Topic and Special Offer 04:58 - Buyer's Agent vs Sales Agent 06:37 - Service Tiers: What's Available 07:19 - How Much Does a Buyer's Agent Cost? 08:22 - Why Cheap Buyer's Agents Aren't Worth It 09:52 - Red Flags to Watch Out For 12:54 - Questions to Ask Before You Commit 14:47 - Is the Cost Actually Worth It? 17:02 - The Emotional Side of Home Buying 19:54 - When Should You Engage a Buyer's Agent? 22:43 - Can't Afford a Buyer's Agent? Your Options 23:59 - The Home Buyer Academy and Campfire Sessions 29:16 - What's Next in the Series Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. Free Resources Do You Need a Buyers Agent: First Home Buyer Guide More about Home Buyer Academy HBA First Home Buyer Course (Access for discounted price if you work with Jack as your mortgage broker - start here ) Home Buyer Academy Website Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast Connect with Veronica Veronica's Website Good Deeds Property Buyers Website Veronica's Linkedin Find Out More About Alcove’s Trusted Buyers Agents Street Secrets Podcast Alcove Trusted Buyers Agent Map Want to keep the conversation going? 👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community 📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored mortgage support 📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube firsthomeunlocked.com.au

If you listened to Episode 37, you heard about the federal budget changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. But there's a conversation we kept coming back to that deserves its own episode. It's not just about what you buy today, it's about who's going to buy it from you in the future. Since that episode, Chris has written a full report exploring exactly that question. It's called "Who Buys It From You Next?" and it looks at how the budget has reshaped buyer pools across different property types and what that means for the long-term value of what you buy today. In this episode, Jack interviews Chris about that report because there's some really important thinking here that every first home buyer needs to hear before they make a property decision. We cover how investors made up around 40% of all new home loans before the budget and why they've now stepped back from the established market. We talk about why grandfathering protects the current owner's tax position but not the next buyer and most importantly, we walk through the six practical tests from Chris's report that you can use to stress test any property before you commit. In this episode: 🔑 Why "who buys it from you next" is the question most people never ask 🔑 How the budget has changed buyer pools for established properties 🔑 Why properties driven by investor demand are now at risk 🔑 What properties with genuine owner-occupier demand actually look like 🔑 The six tests to stress test a property before you buy Timestamps 00:00 - Who Will Buy It From You Next? 02:48 - The Key Question When You're Buying 06:58 - Investor Activity and What It Means Post Budget 10:37 - When Investors Are Your Buyer Pool 16:22 - When Families and Owner-Occupiers Drive the Market 18:45 - The Six Tests for Property Assessment Free Resources Chris Report: Who Buys it From You Next Mentioned Episodes: Episode 6 | Unlocking Asset Quality: How to Choose the Right Property as a First Home Buyer Episode 37: Unlocking the 2026 Federal Budget 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

If you've been reading the news or scrolling through social media this week, you've probably seen some headlines about first home buyers using the 5% deposit scheme and something called negative equity. There is a real risk worth understanding. But for every first home buyer using this scheme, there's a clear strategy that goes with it. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates address the headlines and talk through what negative equity actually is, when it really matters, and most importantly, how you protect yourself whether you're still planning to buy or you've already purchased using the scheme. We cover the five key things you can do to protect yourself going in, from knowing your numbers before you borrow to building your emergency fund, choosing quality assets, and getting your income protection sorted. In this episode: 🔑 What the headlines are actually saying about negative equity 🔑 What negative equity really is and when it matters 🔑 How to work out what you can genuinely afford before you borrow 🔑 Why building your emergency fund is critical with a 5% deposit 🔑 The importance of asset quality and protecting your income 🔑 What to do if you've already bought and are feeling anxious If you're planning to buy using the 5% deposit scheme and want to talk through your numbers, book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack . Timestamps 00:00 - Should We Be Worried About the 5% Deposit Scheme? 01:54 - What Headlines and Bank Economists Are Actually Saying 03:52 - What Is Negative Equity and the Risk? 06:53 - How to Protect Yourself as a First Home Buyer 07:05 - #1 Do the Work on Your Numbers Before You Borrow 10:18 - #2 Build Your Emergency Fund 13:19 - #3 Know Your Goals and Play for the Long Term 15:38 - #4 Do the Work on Asset Quality 17:31 - #5 Get Insurance and Income Protection in Place 20:28 - If You Lose Your Job 21:46 - If You've Already Bought Using the Scheme Budgeting tools Sort Your Money Out Spending Plan Pivot Wealth Savings Planner Moneysmart Budget Planner Resources Goals & Visions Workbook Asset Quality Checklist Download Your How to Protect Yourself When Using the 5% Deposit Scheme Resource Mentioned Episodes Episode 1: Unlocking Your Goals and Vision Episode 6: Unlocking Asset Quality Episode 23: Unlocking Loan to Value Ratio Episode 25: Unlocking Interest Rates and Why They Move Episode 31: Unlocking Offset Accounts Episode 37: Unlocking the 2026 Federal Budget 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

If you're self-employed, banks will usually need more from you before they'll lend compared to a PAYG employee. Understanding what banks are looking for means you can present your income in the best possible way and set yourself up for success. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down how banks assess self-employed income. We talk through the standard two year approach, why one year financials could significantly increase your borrowing capacity, what your options are if your ABN is less than two years old, and how the director wages pathway could change what you're able to borrow. We also cover the tension between tax minimisation and borrowing capacity, why speaking to a broker before you lodge your tax return matters, and how connecting your broker and accountant early can help you find the right balance between both. In this episode: 🔑 How banks assess self-employed income using two years of financials 🔑 Why one year financials could significantly increase your borrowing capacity 🔑 What your options are if your ABN is less than two years old 🔑 How the director wages pathway could change what you're able to borrow 🔑 Why speaking to a broker before you lodge your tax return is so important Timestamps Timestamps 00:00 - Budget Changes: What We're Seeing for First Home Buyers 01:36 - Introduction to Self Employed Income Assessment 04:09 - The Standard Two Year Approach 04:41 - Balancing Tax Minimisation and Net Profit 07:20 - One Year Financials Policy with Example 09:18 - Protecting Yourself as a Self Employed Buyer 12:07 - Director Wages Policy 14:57 - What If Your ABN Is Less Than Two Years Old? 17:36 - Business Debts and Addbacks 19:41 - Getting the Best Outcomes as a Self Employed Buyer 22:19 - The Tax Return Trap 24:25 - Getting the Right Team Around You Free Resources Download Your How Banks Assess Self Employed Income 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

The Federal Budget just changed the property market overnight, and the government is calling it a win for first home buyers. If you're a first home buyer, you're probably seeing a lot of headlines and wondering what it actually means for you and your plans. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down the major budget announcements and what they mean for the property market. We talk through the changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, how investors are likely to respond, what this means for house prices and competition, and most importantly what it all means for you as a first home buyer. Whether you're actively looking at properties right now, still in the planning stage, or you've recently purchased, this episode covers what you need to know and how to think about moving forward. In this episode: 🔑 The major budget changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax 🔑 How investors are likely to respond and what that means for competition 🔑 Which types of properties and markets will feel these changes the most 🔑 The tools and data you can use to check if an area is investor-heavy 🔑 What first home buyers should be doing right now whether actively looking or still planning Timestamps 00:00 - What the Federal Budget Means for First Home Buyers 04:00 - What Was Actually Announced and Initial Thoughts 08:11 - How Investors Will Respond 11:31 - What It Means for First Home Buyers 14:39 - Tools to Check Investor vs Owner Occupier Markets 19:01 - What Happens to House Prices 22:03 - Should Active Buyers Wait or Keep Going? 24:09 - What Happens to Competition in the Market 26:05 - Asset Quality and Property Selection Right Now 33:10 - What It Means for the Rental Market 38:12 - If You're Planning to Buy in the Future 40:36 - The 5% Deposit Scheme and Help to Buy 43:09 - If You've Already Purchased 43:41 - Interest Rates and What Happens Next Free Resources Open Stats Tool - Property Data Census - Property Data Download Your Federal Budget 20206 Resource Mentioned Episodes: Episode 6 | Unlocking Asset Quality: How to Choose the Right Property as a First Home Buyer Episode 26 | Unlocking the Federal Government ‘Help to Buy’ Shared Equity Scheme 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

Casual and contract workers make up more than a quarter of the Australian workforce. If you're a casual or contract worker, there are absolutely ways to borrow. It just comes down to understanding how banks look at your income and making sure you're with the right lender for your situation. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down how banks assess casual and contract income. We talk through what lenders are actually looking for, why the same weekly pay can mean very different borrowing capacity at different lenders, and how you can protect yourself financially once you take on a mortgage. We also share a real example where choosing the right lender added $35,000 in borrowing capacity just by using a different annualisation method, showing why lender selection matters so much for casual and contract workers. In this episode: 🔑 How banks assess casual income and what they're looking for 🔑 Why the same weekly pay can mean different borrowing capacity at different lenders 🔑 How banks assess contract income and the difference between dependent and independent contractors 🔑 How to protect yourself financially once you take on a mortgage 🔑 What casual and contract workers should be doing right now to put themselves in the strongest position Timestamps 00:00 - Casual and Contract Income Explained 03:11 - How Banks Assess Casual Income 04:48 - Strengthening Your Position as a Casual Worker 06:53 - Annualisation Differences Between Lenders 07:49 - Protecting Yourself as a Casual Borrower 09:49 - Dependent vs Independent Contractor 10:32 - Contract History, Renewals and Gaps 13:30 - Key Takeaways Unlock your Free Resources Download Your How Banks Assess Casual & Contract Income 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

Income is one of the biggest drivers of your borrowing capacity, but banks don't just look at how much you earn. They look at how you earn it and depending on your situation, the same salary can produce very different results at different lenders. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates go deeper into how banks assess different types of PAYG income. They break down what happens if you've recently changed jobs or you're still on probation, why overtime and allowances are treated differently depending on your industry, how commission and bonus income gets shaded by lenders, and what banks look for when you're working a second job or planning to go on parental leave. They also share a real example where choosing the right lender policy added $65,000 to a first home buyer's borrowing capacity, showing just how important lender choice can be. In this episode: 🔑 PAYG income and what happens if you've recently changed jobs or you're on probation 🔑 Overtime and allowances and why the lender you choose can make a big difference 🔑 Commission and bonus income and why the bank doesn't take the full amount 🔑 Second job income and what the banks are really looking for 🔑 Parental leave and what you need to have in place to move forward Timestamps 00:00 - PAYG Income - How Banks Assess it 01:50 - PAYG Requirements, Job Changes & Probation 06:50 - Overtime and Allowances 10:39 - Commission and Bonus Income 12:52 - Second Job Income 14:34 - Parental Leave: Can You Still Borrow? 15:51 - Wrap Up and Final Thoughts Unlock your Free Resources Download Your How Banks Assess PAYG, Overtime, Bonus & Allowance Income 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

Borrowing capacity isn't just about your income, and it's not the same at every bank. Banks are also looking at your deposit, your debts, your spending, your credit history, and even the property you're buying to decide how much they're willing to lend you and how risky your loan looks to them. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates walk through exactly what banks assess when you apply for a home loan. As well as banks looking at your income, we discuss how they look at your deposit and genuine savings, why credit card limits matter more than what you owe, how HECS debt actually impacts your borrowing capacity, and how the property itself can sometimes impact if you can even borrow at a certain lender. We also talk about the difference between what a bank will lend you and what's actually right for your situation, and why choosing the right lender from the start makes a big difference to your options now and into the future. In this episode: 🔑 What banks look at when they assess your borrowing capacity 🔑 How your income, deposit, debts and expenses all factor in 🔑 Why HECS debt is changing and what that means for first home buyers 🔑 The difference between what a bank will lend you and what's right for you 🔑 How choosing the right lender can make a big difference to your options Timestamps 00:00 - How Banks Assess You 01:38 - Assessing Your Income 04:37 - Assessing Your Deposit and Genuine Savings 08:11 - Assessing Liabilities: Credit Cards, Loans, HECS, BNPL 15:51 - Assessing Your Living Expenses and Bank Statements 19:52 - Credit History and Your Assessment 22:43 - How Banks Assess the Property 25:08 - Borrowing Capacity Summary and the Role of a Broker Unlock your Free Resources Download Your How Banks Decide What You Can Borrow 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

There's a lot happening right now. Another interest rate rise, global uncertainty, fuel and supply issues, and a federal budget just around the corner. If you're a first home buyer, you might be wondering what all of this actually means for you and your plans. In this market update episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates sit down to talk through what's going on in the market, what first home buyers are actually seeing, and most importantly, what you should focus on right now. We break down the practical impact of the latest interest rate rise on your repayments and borrowing capacity, talk through your options around fixing versus variable rates, and share a three step plan to help you move forward with clarity and confidence, no matter what the market is doing externally. In this episode: 🔑 What's actually happening in the market right now for first home buyers 🔑 The practical impact of the latest interest rate rise on repayments and borrowing capacity 🔑 Fixed versus variable rates and how to decide what suits your situation 🔑 A three step plan to help you focus on what you can control Timestamps 00:00 - What We're Seeing in the Market Right Now 06:57 - The Impact of the Rate Rise 09:54 - Should You Fix Your Rate? 13:17 - Your Three Step Action Plan Unlock your Free Resources Download Your Goals & Visions Workbook Download Your April 2026 Market Update Resource Mentioned Episodes: Episode 25 | Unlocking Interest Rates and Why They Move 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

If you've saved a significant deposit, received a gift from family, or come into money through inheritance, you're in a strong position as a first home buyer. But having more cash doesn't automatically mean the best decision is to put it all into the property. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates talk through the strategic options worth considering when you have a large deposit. We explore how to balance reducing your loan with keeping buffers in place, why your emergency fund matters, and how a bigger deposit might allow you to skip the stepping stone property altogether. We also talk about the professionals worth bringing into your corner, including buyer's agents and financial planners, and how a larger deposit opens up opportunities like buying properties that need renovation or having the option to buy higher quality assets. In this episode: 🔑 Whether to put all your deposit in or keep buffers aside 🔑 How to protect yourself after settlement with emergency funds 🔑 Why a large deposit might let you skip the stepping stone property 🔑 The value of buyer's agents and financial planners for first home buyers 🔑 How you could use your deposit strategically to get the best long-term outcome Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 03:16 - Leaving Buffers & Why It’s Important 06:17 - Can You Look Beyond the Stepping Stone Mindset? 08:32 - The Importance of Asset Quality 11:26 - Build the Right Team Around You: Buyers Agents & Financial Planners 19:52 - Don't Let the Bigger Deposit Rush You Unlock your Free Resources Download Your Buying Strategically with a Gift, Inheritance or Large Deposit Resource Mentioned Episodes: Episode 6 | Unlocking Asset Quality: How to Choose the Right Property as a First Home Buyer 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

Understanding how offset accounts and redraw facilities work can save you thousands in interest and years off your home loan. But most first home buyers have never been taught the difference between them or how to use them strategically. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down what an offset account actually is, how redraw works differently in the background, and why the choice between them matters, especially if your first home might become an investment property down the track. We walk through real examples showing how even small amounts sitting in offset or paid as extra repayments can make a huge difference over the life of a 30-year loan. We also talk about money psychology and how to choose the right structure based on your goals and how you manage money. In this episode: 🔑 What an offset account actually is and how it reduces interest 🔑 What a redraw facility is and how it works 🔑 The key differences between offset and redraw 🔑 How to use each strategically based on your goals 🔑 Real examples showing the impact of your offset account and extra repayments Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Offset & Redraw Episode 02:42 - What is an Offset Account? 04:28 - Impact of an Offset Account 09:10 - What is a Redaw? 12:59 - Offset vs Redraw: Key Differences and Strategy 16:11 - Money Psychology around Offset and Redraw 19:29 - The Power of Extra Repayments with Examples 23:23 - Episode Wrap up & Key Takeaways Unlock your Free Resources Download Your Offset & Redraw Resource Mentioned Episodes: Episode 21 | Unlocking How Your Mortgage Actually Works 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 is a big decision, and it often comes with a lot of external pressure. Pressure from family, friends, media headlines, and sometimes even from yourself through comparison and the fear of missing out. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates talk through the most common pressures first home buyers face and how to navigate them without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. We explore the "just get in" mindset and why buying without thinking about asset quality can create bigger issues later. We also address the fear of missing out, the pressure around rising property prices, and the idea that "rent money is dead money." Most importantly, we share practical tools to help you step back, get clear on your goals, and make decisions that actually support your vision and future. In this episode: 🔑 How to handle other people's opinions and conflicting advice 🔑 Why "just getting in" can be risky without focusing on asset quality 🔑 Navigating FOMO and the fear of being locked out of the market 🔑 The future self test: buying for where you want to be in 5-10 years 🔑 Why rent money isn't "dead money" and reframing the conversation Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction: First Home Buyer Pressures 02:30 - Handling Other People's Opinions 06:11 - The "Just Get In" Mindset and Why It's Risky 13:52 - FOMO and The Future Self Test 21:16 - The "Rent Money's Dead Money" Story 25:22 - Episode Wrap Up Unlock your Free Resources Download Your Goals & Visions Workbook Mentioned Episodes: Episode 25 | Unlocking Interest Rates and Why They Move 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

In early February 2026, there was an interest rate rise announced by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Jack Elliott and Chris Bates talk through what this actually means for first home buyers and how to respond without feeling rushed or pressured. We break down the practical impact of a rate rise on both monthly repayments and borrowing capacity, and share real examples so you can understand what this looks like in your situation. Most importantly, we talk about what you can control right now. You can't control interest rates or the market, but you can control getting a clear plan in place that suits your goals, your budget, and your life. In this episode: 🔑 What the interest rate rise means for first home buyers 🔑 The practical impact on monthly repayments and borrowing capacity 🔑 Why building buffers into your plan from the start matters 🔑 What to focus on right now and how to control what you can control 🔑 What Chris is seeing in the market after the rate rise Timestamps 00:00 - What First Home Buyers Should Do After a Rate Rise 07:47 - How a Rate Rise Affects Your Repayments and Borrowing Power 10:11 - What Chris is Seeing in the Market After the Rate Rise Unlock your Free Resources Download Your Goals & Visions Workbook Mentioned Episodes: Episode 25 | Unlocking Interest Rates and Why They Move 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

If buying your first home is part of your plan for 2026, this two-part series is designed to give you a clear, step-by-step framework to follow. In Part 2, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates move into the action phase of the buying journey. This is what happens once you’re pre-approved and ready to start looking at properties. We walk through how to assess asset quality, what to look for at inspections, the due diligence every buyer should be doing, how to structure a strong offer, and what actually happens from formal approval through to settlement. This episode is about slowing things down just enough to make good decisions and move forward with clarity and confidence. In this episode: 🔑 How to assess asset quality and choose the right property 🔑 What to look for at inspections and the due diligence that matters 🔑 How to make a confident offer and protect yourself 🔑 What happens from formal approval through to settlement Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to How to Buy Your First Home (Part 2) 03:27 - Step 6: Asset Quality 14:35 - Step 7: Property Inspections and Due Diligence 28:08 - Step 8: How to Make an Offer 38:42 - Step 9: Formal Approval & Settlement 32:10 - Wrap Up & We Are Here to Help You in 2026 Unlock your Free Resources How to Buy Your First Home Step By Step Resource Download your Asset Quality Checklist Get Your Unlocking Asset Quality Resource Get Your Making An Offer Resource Get Your Settlement Ready Guide Mentioned Episodes: Episode 6 | Unlocking Asset Quality: How to Choose the Right Property as a First Home Buyer Episode 7 | Unlocking Offers: How To Make a Confident Offer as a First Home Buyer Episode 8 | Unlocking Formal Approval & Settlement for First Home Buyers 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

If buying your first home is part of your plan for 2026, this two-part series is designed to give you a clear, step-by-step framework to follow. In Part 1, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates walk through the preparation phase of buying your first home. This is the groundwork you’ll want to do before inspections or making offers, and it sets you up to move forward with confidence. We cover how to get clear on your goals, understand your upfront costs, choose the right deposit pathway, and organise your pre-approval so you’re ready to begin your property search. In this episode: 🔑 Getting clear on your goals and vision before you buy 🔑 When to speak to a broker and why timing matters 🔑 Understanding the real upfront costs beyond the deposit 🔑 Deposit options and pathways available to first home buyers 🔑 What pre-approval actually means and how to prepare properly Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to How to Buy Your First Home (Part 1) 03:27 - Step 1: Goals and Visions 08:50 - Step 2: Speaking With the Right Broker 13:27 - Step 3: Understanding the Real Costs of Buying Your First Home 22:33 - Step 4: Understanding How Much Deposit You Need 28:02 - Step 5: Get Your Pre-Approval Organised 32:10 - Wrap Up and Looking to Forward to Part 2 Unlock your Free Resources How to Buy Your First Home Step By Step Resource Download Your Goals & Visions Workbook Download Your State by State Stamp Duty Guide for First Home Buyers Get Your Unlocking the Costs to Purchase Your First Home Resource Get Your Unlocking Your Deposit Resource Get Your First Home Guarantee Scheme Resource Mentioned Episodes: Episode 1 | Unlocking Your Property Vision as a First Home Buyer Episode 3 | Unlocking the Real Cost of Buying Your First Home Episode 4 | Unlocking Your Deposit: How Much Do First Home Buyers Really Need? Episode 10 | Unlocking the First Home Guarantee Scheme: Buy 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, TikTok, Youtube firsthomeunlocked.com.au