In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer is joined by Cyber Daily journalist Daniel Croft to unpack the growing threat of real estate scams and share tips on how buyers can avoid losing their money.

The discussion centres on a recent case in which a first-time buyer lost a $50,000 deposit after falling victim to a sophisticated phishing email impersonating a conveyancer.

Despite checking the details, the buyer was only able to recover a small portion of the funds, highlighting the devastating financial consequences of these schemes.

The hosts explain that scammers are increasingly drawn to property transactions due to the large sums involved and are using advanced technology to make fraudulent communications appear legitimate.

Another attempted scam involving a $1.2 million transfer was stopped by a bank, underscoring the critical role financial institutions play in fraud prevention.

Data showing Australians lost more than $334 million to scams in 2025 further illustrates the scale of the issue.

Croft urges buyers to verify all communications, use secure payment methods, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid acting on urgent requests until they are properly verified.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer is joined by mortgage broker Eva Loisance to unpack how interest rates shape borrowing decisions for first-time buyers.

Loisance explains how the Reserve Bank cash rate drives lending costs and why small rate movements can still influence buyer confidence and strategy.

She outlines the key economic forces behind rate decisions, including inflation, employment, and broader financial conditions.

The discussion breaks down the pros and cons of fixed and variable loans, highlighting the trade-off between certainty and flexibility.

Loisance also details how splitting a loan between fixed and variable can balance stability with repayment freedom.

Refinancing is presented as a powerful tool, with borrowers encouraged to review their loans regularly to secure better terms.

The episode stresses the importance of maintaining a financial buffer to manage rate rises and unexpected expenses.

It concludes with practical tips on making extra repayments and using offsets to reduce interest and shorten loan terms.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with Sabine Kaufmann to explore the challenges of navigating Sydney's property market, including making compromises, handling competition, and facing tough decisions.

Kaufmann shares her journey from renting in Bondi to buying her first apartment in Zetland, reflecting on the lifestyle adjustments required when moving from a beachside suburb to a more city-centric location.

She explains how, like many first-time buyers, she had to compromise, prioritising apartment layout over size and forgoing a car park to secure the right property.

Rising rents and stamp duty exemptions were key factors that motivated her decision to buy rather than continue renting.

Kaufmann also details attending multiple inspections, making offers, and learning from early setbacks, highlighting the importance of persistence in a competitive market.

She stresses careful budgeting, understanding ongoing costs such as strata levies and council fees, and managing cash flow to ensure home owners are financially ready.