In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with seasoned buyer’s agent from Advocate Property Services, Jo Vadillo, to discuss the pivotal role of a buyer’s agent and how they can assist first home buyers in making informed decisions.

The duo starts by exploring Jo’s career as she became a buyer’s agent in 2012, when the role was still relatively unknown to the general public. Since then, she has seen a shift in perception, from clients questioning the need for a buyer’s agent to later regretting not using one.

Jo said that a buyer’s agent helps clients navigate the purchase process, offering access to listed and off-market properties, coordinates with brokers and solicitors, arranges inspections, and negotiates deals.

She stresses that first home buyers should start by sorting their finances, then work with an agent to build a personalised strategy based on market trends and budget.

While buying a home is emotionally taxing – similar to having a baby – and full of unknowns, a buyer’s agent can help you stay focused and informed, making decisions rationally.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo, chief economist at PRD, to unpack all the first home buyer’s schemes available in Australia.

The conversation begins with Mardiasmo sharing her property journey, stressing the importance for first property buyers to understand their financial limits and avoid buying above their means.

The duo then outlines the federal and state schemes available, including the First Home Guarantee Scheme, which allows buyers to purchase with just a 5 per cent deposit and no lender’s mortgage insurance, and the Help to Buy Scheme, where the government can co-purchase up to 40 per cent of the property for a 2 per cent deposit.

Another option is the First Home Super Saver Scheme, which allows buyers to use voluntary super contributions towards a deposit, provided they have made additional voluntary super contributions.

Additionally, individual states offer specific grants, each with varying amounts, price caps, and occupancy requirements.

While Australia’s first home buyer landscape is filled with schemes aimed at easing the path to ownership, Mardiasmo urges buyers to align their property choices with lifestyle goals and long-term plans and to seek professional guidance when navigating complex financial decisions.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with mortgage broker Eva Loisance from Finni Mortgages to debunk common financial myths around buying your first property.

The duo starts by breaking down all the associated costs related to buying your first property.

A key focus of the episode is the commonly believed 20 per cent deposit myth, which Eva explains is no longer a strict requirement. Many first home buyers can purchase with as little as 5 per cent, especially with the assistance of government grants and schemes.

Eva emphasises the importance of understanding your borrowing capacity, which varies based on income, expenses, and debt. She also discusses the trade-off between waiting to save a larger deposit and entering the market sooner, noting that rising prices can outpace savings.

As hidden costs – such as stamp duty, conveyancing, lender’s mortgage insurance, and strata fees – can surprise first-time buyers, Eva advises thorough budgeting based on their current finances, rather than relying on future interest rate cuts to lower their spending.