What could possibly go wrong on the day you’re supposed to finally get the keys to your new home? More than you think. In this episode, we'll walk you through what really happens on settlement day, and why you absolutely need to be prepared. This is the final step in your buying journey, and trust us, it’s not always smooth sailing.

We’ve seen it all; moving trucks sitting in driveways, funds not showing up on time, damage to the property, missing paperwork, and sellers who’ve left behind junk (or worse, taken things they weren’t supposed to). So in this episode, we’re sharing exactly how to prepare for property settlement day so you don’t end up scrambling or paying for someone else’s mess.

You’ll hear our practical tips; things like staying in close contact with your conveyancer, double checking with your lender, doing that final inspection properly (not just a walk-through), and building in a buffer just in case things don’t go to plan. We’re also talking about what to do if something does go pear-shaped, because let’s face it, sometimes it does.

We want you to feel confident and ready, not blindsided. Knowing how to prepare for property settlement day will help you avoid unnecessary stress, extra costs, and those last-minute surprises that turn an exciting day into a nightmare. So pop on those practical pants and let’s make sure you’re set up for success.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

03:47 - What is settlement day and why does it matter?

04:41 - Real stories of settlement day gone wrong and common issues that delay settlement

08:38 - 5 tips to prepare for a smooth property settlement day

12:43 - What to do if things go pear-shaped

Course Details:

• Your 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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying your first home can feel like a lot, especially when you’re trying to figure it all out on your own. In this episode, we take you inside a real coaching session with one of our students who’s in the thick of it, asking smart questions and facing some pretty common challenges. This is exactly the kind of conversation we have each week inside our program, and we’re sharing it because we know so many of you will relate.

We go through the nitty-gritties; a townhouse with a long-term tenant, competing offers, and the pressure to move fast. We talk about how to know if a property is worth your money, how to factor in delays if you can’t move in straight away, and why doing your homework matters before you even step inside. These home buying tips come from decades of experience, and we’re sharing them with no fluff.

We also get into the emotional side, because yes, buying a home is emotional. It’s about balancing your gut feel with a clear, step-by-step process that protects you from making expensive mistakes. That’s where the right guidance makes all the difference.

If you’re not sure what due diligence even means, when to request a contract, or how to compete with other buyers who seem to move faster, this is the episode to tune in to. You’ll walk away with practical home buying tips you can actually use, and a better understanding of how to approach your next property with confidence.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

02:19 - Reviewing a first home buyer’s property checklist

03:09 - Concerns about negative cash flow and existing tenants

05:24 - Lessons from a missed offer and how to improve next time

07:17 - Analysing floor plans and outdoor space in real time

08:51 - Sunlight, orientation, and what really matters

13:53 - Is it worth buying a property you can’t move into yet?

16:59 - Why CoreLogic isn’t enough to set your offer price

19:26 - Competing with experienced buyers and investors

22:48 - Doing due diligence when time is tight

25:55 - Can you still change the contract during cooling-off?

27:10 - What to check before even inspecting a property

29:36 - Understanding offer processes and agent strategies

32:09 - Managing emotions during the buying process

33:24 - How some buyers make fast decisions with confidence

35:44 - When paying more upfront might still make sense

41:10 - Timing the market: when to expect more listings

45:03 - When to get a contract reviewed (and when not to)

Course Details:

• Your 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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we deal with some of the quirkiest first-home-buyer dilemmas? In this episode, we’re answering real questions from our Facebook group; like whether it’s a bad idea to buy next to a substation, what to do when we’re weighing up LMI and rentvesting, and how to make sense of strata reports when there’s not a lot to go on. It’s all the stuff that doesn’t always have a black and white answer, but definitely deserves a proper chat.

We start with substations because that one comes up a lot. Are EMFs something to worry about, or is it more about resale and how it feels when we’re standing on our balcony staring at a big grey box? Veronica even shares what a nuclear physicist told her when she was looking at a property for a client, and we get into how much of it is science vs perception.

Then we get into the rentvesting vs buy-to-live conversation, especially when Lender’s Mortgage Insurance is involved. Should we wait it out and save that 20% deposit? Or is it better to just get in and deal with the LMI? Meighan talks through our own experience here, what we’d do differently and what actually matters when we’re doing the numbers.

And if we’ve been wondering whether to throw in a pre-auction offer or how to deal with limited strata info… Yep, we cover that too. From knowing what questions to ask agents, to spotting red flags when we haven’t even seen a report, we go through how we think about these tricky calls and the kinds of risks we might want to weigh up.

If we’re deep in the first home buyer trenches, this one’s full of real talk, honest stories, and things we’ve learned the hard way.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

01:59 - Should I be worried about buying next to a substation?

07:52 - Is it worth paying LMI if it means I can buy sooner and rentvest?

11:39 - Should I make a pre-auction offer or wait until auction day?

15:55 - What should I look out for in a strata report, and how do I assess risk if I can’t see it yet?

Resources:

• FREE MINI COURSE: How to price property like a professional https://www.homebuyeracademy.com.au/freecourse
• Meet our recommended mortgage brokers at Home Buyer Academy https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/brokers
• Visit our website https://www.homebuyeracademy.com.au/
• Join our Facebook Group to get access to free monthly live Q&A sessions
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourfirsthomebuyerguideaustralia
• Learn how to buy property without making a mistake with our ultimate 10-step online course for first time home buyers https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/YFHBG
• If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at: Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast support@homebuyeracademy.com.au
• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au
• Looking for a Brisbane Buyers Agent? https://www.propertypursuit.com.au/
• Work with Meighan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meighanwells/

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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve got your deposit sorted, your plans lined up, and you’re finally ready to buy your first home, and then boom… one small misstep knocks you out of the running for a scheme that could’ve saved you tens of thousands.

That’s what happened to these two first home buyers who were doing all the right things. They were organised, informed, and using the First Home Super Saver scheme to boost their deposit, they had their sights set on the First Home Guarantee to avoid lender’s mortgage insurance. But what they didn’t realise was that the timing of withdrawing those funds would impact their income assessment… and cost them their eligibility.

In this episode, we break down exactly where things went wrong and why two government schemes designed to help buyers don’t always work well together. It’s a real-life example that highlights just how tricky this space can be, and how easy it is to fall into a trap when you don’t have the right people guiding you.

If you’re planning to use any kind of grant or incentive to buy property, this is one you don’t want to miss. The right move at the wrong time can undo everything, but with the right advice, it doesn’t have to.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

03:14 - Sam and Joe’s story: What went wrong

04:37 - Three key takeaways for first home buyers

06:31 - What happened because they withdrew their Super Saver funds a little too early

08:39 - A quick refresher on how the super saver scheme and the first home guarantee works

11:02 - Why these two schemes weren’t designed to work together

14:20 - Solutions if you’d like to use the super saver scheme and first home guarantee

Resources:

• FREE MINI COURSE: How to price property like a professional https://www.homebuyeracademy.com.au/freecourse
• Meet our recommended mortgage brokers at Home Buyer Academy https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/brokers
• Visit our website https://www.homebuyeracademy.com.au/
• Join our Facebook Group to get access to free monthly live Q&A sessions
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourfirsthomebuyerguideaustralia
• Learn how to buy property without making a mistake with our ultimate 10-step online course for first time home buyers https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/YFHBG
• If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at: Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast - support@homebuyeracademy.com.au
• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au
• Looking for a Brisbane Buyers Agent? https://www.propertypursuit.com.au/
• Work with Meighan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meighanwells/

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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the market is running hot, we know how tough it feels, especially for first home buyers. Properties seem to sell before you’ve even had a chance to blink, let alone think. Every week, price guides climb higher, agents are saying homes are already under offer, and it slowly chips away at your confidence. It’s exhausting. But here’s what we want you to know: you can still buy well in a market like this. You just need the right mindset and a solid strategy.

In this episode, we walk you through seven practical tips that help you stay in the game. We talk about why speed and preparation matter more than ever, how to get to know your area like the back of your hand, and when it’s time to pivot to surrounding suburbs if your dream location slips out of reach. We also explain why knowing property values inside and out is key, and why skipping due diligence; no matter how tempting, is never worth the risk.

We also get into auctions and pre-auction offers, and how we handle them with our clients. There’s a lot of pressure out there, but when you understand the process and do the prep early, you can make strong, smart decisions without being swept up in fear or frustration.

So if you’re feeling disheartened, we get it. We’ve been there. But don’t tap out. With the right tools, a bit of grit, and a whole lot of preparation, you’ll find your way through this. You’re closer than you think.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

02:10 - Meighan’s special house of the week

06:02 - 4 core takeaways to compete in a hot market

07:08 - Tip #1: Recognise and overcome first home buyer challenges

09:02 - Tip #2: Get a step ahead by knowing your area inside out

13:33 - Tip #3: Mastering auctions and pre-auction plays

17:57 - Tip #4: Be offer-ready even before the first open

20:55 - Tip #5: Never skip due diligence

23:06 - Tip #6: Understand best and final offers

26:22 - Tip #7: Mindset matters

Resources:

• FREE MINI COURSE: How to price property like a professional https://www.homebuyeracademy.com.au/freecourse
• Meet our recommended mortgage brokers at Home Buyer Academy https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/brokers
• Visit our website https://www.homebuyeracademy.com.au/
• Join our Facebook Group to get access to free monthly live Q&A sessions
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourfirsthomebuyerguideaustralia
• Learn how to buy property without making a mistake with our ultimate 10-step online course for first time home buyers https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/YFHBG
• If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at: Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast support@homebuyeracademy.com.au
• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au
• Looking for a Brisbane Buyers Agent? https://www.propertypursuit.com.au/
• Work with Meighan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meighanwells/

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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s simply not true that every property makes money. In fact, in the last quarter of 2024, 5.2% of sellers sold for less than they paid, and in one segment, a staggering 36.7% sold at a loss. In this episode, we unpack the data from the latest CoreLogic Pain and Gain Report and walk you through which types of properties are proving to be the riskiest, especially for first home buyers.

We talk about the dangers of short hold periods, why holding onto a property for longer (ideally around that 10-year mark) gives you a much better chance of riding out market dips, and how certain areas, like Melbourne Inner, Parramatta, and Ryde, are seeing rising rates of loss-making sales. Spoiler alert: units, particularly off-the-plan ones, are a major culprit here.

We also get into the psychology of selling; why people are often forced to sell too early due to life changes, fear, or financial pressure, and how that can lead to big losses, especially in oversupplied markets. And yes, we even touch on why buying brand new with government grants might not be as clever as it sounds. It’s a classic case of good marketing, poor outcomes.

Our goal is to help you avoid being one of those awful statistics. We’ve seen it too many times, first home buyers who do all the right things, and still end up worse off because they didn’t have access to the right information. So if you’re serious about making smart decisions, this one’s for you.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

02:25 - Meighan’s special house of the week

05:44 - The impact of hold periods on profit or loss

07:38 - Units vs houses: Why one is riskier than the other

09:32 - Capital cities vs regions: Which areas are really losing money?

13:22 - The most loss-making markets in the December quarter

17:11 - Long-term decline in high-supply unit markets

22:39 - Darwin and the Northern Territory remain the hardest-hit markets

23:24 - The best-performing markets in the December 2024 quarter

27:21 - The biggest takeaway from the Pain and Gain Report

Resources:

• FREE MINI COURSE: How to price property like a professional https://www.homebuyeracademy.com.au/freecourse
• Meet our recommended mortgage brokers at Home Buyer Academy https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/brokers
• Visit our website https://www.homebuyeracademy.com.au/
• Join our Facebook Group to get access to free monthly live Q&A sessions
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourfirsthomebuyerguideaustralia
• Learn how to buy property without making a mistake with our ultimate 10-step online course for first time home buyers https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/YFHBG
• If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at: Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast support@homebuyeracademy.com.au
• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au
• Looking for a Brisbane Buyers Agent? https://www.propertypursuit.com.au/
• Work with Meighan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meighanwells/

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/@YourFirstHomeBuyerGuidePodcast
• 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.