In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer speaks with finance broker Rob Shanley from Propple to explore how first-time buyers can enter the market by co-investing with friends or family.

With property prices continuing to rise, many young Australians are turning to this strategy as a more attainable path to home ownership.

Rob says that pooling resources allows buyers to share deposits, loan repayments, and renovation costs, making it easier to buy sooner, with lenders adapting to the trend by offering products designed to match it.

Beyond financial benefits, co-investment also offers accountability and shared support, helping co-investors stay on track during major life events.

However, trust and clear agreements are essential, with Rob stressing the need for well-drafted co-ownership contracts that outline responsibilities, expenses, and exit strategies.

Unlike spousal ownership, most co-investment arrangements employ a “tenants in common” structure, which grants each party control over their portion while safeguarding individual interests.

As affordability challenges grow, Rob says that co-investing is becoming an increasingly popular pathway for first home buyers to build wealth together.

In this special episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with real estate managing editor Liam Garman to share her personal journey as a first-time buyer, reflecting on the insights she gained from the podcast guests.

From launching the First Property Buyer Show to becoming a first-time home owner, Emilie, the host, turned her property reporting into a personal experience.

Her journey began six months ago when she set out to understand the first home buying process, providing practical tips and lessons for buyers navigating Australia’s competitive market.

Interviewing experts from buyer’s agents to property investors, Emilie gained insights that guided her through Sydney’s competitive market.

She and her fiancé, Chris, searched for a two-bedroom home, initially hoping for two bathrooms, and explored suburbs like Rosebery and Zetland. However, like many first-time home buyers, they had to compromise.

Financial preparedness proved crucial, with mortgage pre-approval and a clear budget allowing them to act quickly when they found their ideal property in Drummoyne.

Strata reports, inspections, and negotiation skills learnt across the previous podcast episodes also helped the couple win the property.

Settling in, they were thankful to have kept a financial buffer as they began tackling renovations and managing unexpected costs, including a hot water tank replacement.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer speaks with Hung Chuy from Strategic Brokers to explain how the fast-tracked First Home Guarantee scheme works and its impact on first-time buyers.

The Australian government has fast-tracked the First Home Guarantee scheme, bringing its launch forward to 1 October 2025, allowing first-time buyers to purchase a home with a 5 per cent deposit and no lender’s mortgage insurance.

Additionally, the scheme has removed income caps, allowing high earners to borrow up to 95 per cent on properties of up to $1.5 million, depending on the state.

Hung said that the announcement surprised many in the real estate and financial sectors, sparking a surge in inquiries from prospective buyers.

He noted that the scheme will be available through over 30 lenders, with each having different debt assessment rules, making broker guidance crucial.

Hung said while the low deposit is attractive, buyers need to factor in additional costs and carefully assess their financial capacity, including mortgage repayments and potential interest rate changes.

The duo then moves on to the impact of the scheme, predicting it will increase competition for properties under the cap, driving prices higher and creating a fast-moving market.