Episodes

  • #18 First Home Foundations: A Closer Look
    Aug 19 2025

    Feeling Overwhelmed by the First Home Buying Process? You’re Not Alone. 🏡💭

    The property market keeps rising, your savings feel like they’ll never catch up, and the dream of owning your first home feels more distant than ever. The deposit seems impossible, your job doesn't match the rising prices, and every step forward feels like a challenge.

    Here’s the truth: you don’t have to wait for the market to crash (and, honestly, it's not happening anytime soon) to buy your first home. Homeownership is possible right now; it might not be your dream home, but it's the perfect place to start.

    In this episode, we’ll show you how to take that first step. Your first home doesn’t have to be perfect, it’s the foundation you need to build from. With the right strategy and support, like grants and financial assistance, you can buy what you can afford now and eventually leapfrog your way into your dream home. 💪✨Remember, you don’t have to face this journey alone. Step-by-step, we’ll guide you through the process, helping you access grants and schemes that make it easier to get started.

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

    • How a First Home Specialist can make the buying process smoother 👨‍💼
    • Ways to overcome the deposit hurdle and start saving 💰
    • The grants and schemes available to help first home buyers 🏠
    • Insights into the SE QLD property market and how it impacts your decision 📍
    • Tips for managing mortgage repayments without feeling overwhelmed 💸
    • The right mindset to help you push through the challenges 🧠
    • How Home Equity creates future opportunities 💡


    Tune in now for expert advice that will guide you confidently through the home-buying process! 🎧🏡

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    1 hr
  • #17 Matt Srama | First Home Buying Trends and Decisions
    Jul 23 2025

    Buying your first home can feel like one big decision after another, and the toughest one is often:


    "Should I buy now, or should I wait?" 🏠


    It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that the market is going to crash, and that waiting for the "perfect time" will save you money. But here’s the hard truth: historical data shows there’s no sign of a market crash anytime soon. In fact, property prices are expected to keep climbing, and First Home Buyers who wait risk being priced out of the market completely.


    In this episode, Matt and Leigh break down why waiting could hurt your chances of owning a home, and why buying as soon as you can is your best bet. Waiting isn’t just putting things on hold – it’s slowly shutting the door on your homeownership dreams. 🚪


    What you’ll take away from this episode:

    • Key factors to consider before buying your first home
    • How to make the right decision for you
    • The real benefits of buying now instead of later
    • What’s happening in the property market right now


    Don’t let hesitation cost you your chance at homeownership! Tune in now and get the facts you need to make the right move. 🎧

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    47 mins
  • #16 Michael & Sarah Lawton | First Home Buying Obstacles
    Jun 17 2025

    Buying your first home can feel overwhelming – it’s often harder than buying your second. First Home Buyers are left wondering where to start, struggling to find support, and feeling like they’re in the dark about what to do next. With so much confusion and few willing to guide them, where do they turn?


    In this episode, Michael and Sarah share their personal journey of becoming first-time homebuyers. They talk about the hurdles they faced, from navigating a sea of information to dealing with the uncertainty of making such a big decision and how First Home Specialists turned things around for them.


    Join Leigh as he unpacks the common obstacles first home buyers face and how the right guidance can make all the difference. This episode also gives expert advice on navigating the journey and overcoming the hurdles that stand in your way.


    If you’re a First Home Buyer and you're not sure of the next step, don’t miss this episode – you’re not alone in this journey, and help is closer than you think.

    CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

    0:00 Guest Introduction

    11:03 Finding First Home Specialists

    15:44 Common Problems of First Home Buyers

    23:53 Michael and Sarah's Home Buying Experience

    25:41 First Home Buying Obstacles

    28:08 When should you buy a home?

    32:07 Permanence and Security

    37:34 First Home Buying Landscape

    42:35 First Home Specialists Mission

    46:08 Emotional Support

    49:25 First Home Buying Advice

    53:58 Wrap Up

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    55 mins
  • #15 Tom Egan | The State of First Home Buying
    Apr 14 2025

    Are homes becoming less affordable?


    In this episode, Tom Egan and Leigh dive deep into the ongoing land shortage crisis in Australia and how it’s impacting the property market – from buyers and builders to developers. With prices skyrocketing and homes becoming less affordable, it’s important to understand what’s really happening behind the scenes.


    How is the land shortage affecting you as a first home buyer? In this conversation, Tom and Leigh break down the ripple effects of limited land supply and how it’s driving up prices, limiting options, and pushing many buyers out of the market. First-time buyers will get an inside look at the Property Market System and learn what changes need to happen to make it work for everyone – or risk being priced out for good.


    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • Why is the land shortage driving up home prices? 📈
    • Are developers keeping prices high, or is there more to the story? 💸
    • How can first home buyers still get into the market with a low deposit? 🏠

    Don’t miss out on these crucial insights to help you make smart moves on your journey to homeownership. Hit play and take notes – this could be the first step toward your dream home! 🌟


    CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

    0:00 Guest Introduction

    01:39 Home buying and Opportunities

    10:20 The Queensland Property Market

    18:34 Understanding First Home Buyer Grants

    23:23 Why can't developers reduce their prices?

    24:51 Are long approvals causing more demand?

    26:42 What is bringing house prices up?

    31:00 The effect of increasing prices on home buyers

    33:22 How can you buy a home today?

    36:17 The future of homebuying in Australia

    45:26 Land Registration and First Home Buying

    54:02 Potential Hotspots

    01:01:04 Closing Remarks

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • # 14 Dominic McKenna | The Journey to Financial Freedom
    Mar 11 2025

    It has been said many times that the road to financial freedom is in investing. We often hear about the wins but not everyone talks about the bumps along the road—the risks, the losses, and the tough lessons learned.
    In this episode, Leigh sits down with Dominic McKenna, a business owner and investor, to explore the highs and lows of the investing journey, and how similar it is to the journey of a first home buyer. They’ll walk you through the hardships and challenges they’ve faced, and how they’ve navigated them to get to where they are today.

    If you’re ready to learn about the real side of investing and home buying, tune in and grab some words of wisdom for your own journey.
    CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

    00:00 - Guest Introduction

    03:28 - On Mindset and Perseverance

    06:20 - Growth vs Fixed Mindset

    07:42 - Mindset and Relationships

    10:44 - Home Buying Mindset

    13:00 - Skepticism vs Cynicism

    18:58 - Setting yourself up for success

    25:26 - COVID in Melbourne

    33:00 - The boom of Melbourne

    03:23 - Dominic's Investment Journey

    44:34 - Life and Death

    56:21 - Dominic's Property Journey

    01:07:43 - Investment Math

    01:12:42 - Advice for First Time Investors

    01:18:13 - Wrapping up

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • #13 Jason Robinson | Numbers and First Home Buying
    Feb 3 2025

    When it comes to buying your first home, there's one big question that everyone asks: "Can I afford it?" 🤔If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to get your finances in order for a home, this episode is for YOU. Leigh sits down with Jason Robinson, a Certified Practicing Accountant and member of the CPA Australia Committee, to help you understand the "numbers" to consider when buying your first home.Together, they’ll answer the questions that matter most to first home buyers, including:

    • How do I manage my finances? 💸
    • What spending habits are holding me back? 🛑
    • How do I save up for a deposit? 💰
    • Will I be able to buy my first home? 🏠


    This episode is all about getting real with the financial aspect of home buying, and Jason’s expert tips will give you the clarity you need.So grab your calculators and get ready to start crunching some numbers! You'll walk away with practical advice and simple steps to better manage your finances, break free from bad spending habits, and build up your savings so you can confidently make that first home purchase.

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    1 hr and 54 mins
  • #12 Clint Rowlings | First Home Buying Decisions
    Nov 26 2024

    Buying your first home can feel like a huge decision, with so many questions swirling in your mind. It’s overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be!

    In this episode of First Home Foundations, Leigh and Clint Rowlings take you on a reflective journey through their own first-home buying experiences. They’ll walk you through the tough decisions they made and the lessons they learned, so you don’t have to repeat their mistakes. 🚶‍♂️💡

    Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

    • What to expect when buying an existing home 🏠
    • The challenges of securing a home loan 💸
    • Property Growth 📈
    • The Effect of Waiting to save more deposit 💵
    • The most common mistakes first-time buyers make (and how to avoid them!) ❌
    • Tips for investing in real estate


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    1 hr and 43 mins
  • #11 Jeff Noble | Finance and Home Buying
    Oct 28 2024

    Buying your first home is one of the biggest purchases you will make, which makes it one of the most important financial decisions in your life. Sitting with Leigh in this episode is Jeff Noble, a managing director of Integra Wealth Solutions. Together, they break down the fundamentals of saving and investment, the importance of financial literacy, and the relationship between finance and real estate.

    This episode will help you gain a fresh perspective on the property market through the lens of a finance expert.

    Join Leigh and finance expert Jeff as they dive deep into essential topics that will guide you on your journey to homeownership:

    • Finance Management Tips: Discover effective ways to manage your finances, ensuring you're prepared for different scenarios in life. 💰
    • Setting Financial Goals: Learn how to set achievable financial goals. 🎯
    • The Magic of Compound Interest: Discover how compound interest can work in your favor.
    • Navigating Home Buying Challenges: Gain insights into common challenges first-time home buyers face and how to overcome them. 🏡
    • Future of Home Buying: The property landscape in the next ten years and how to prepare yourself for it.

    Whether you're just starting to learn about financial independence or actively saving for your first home, this episode is filled with valuable knowledge and inspiration. By understanding the financial landscape, you can make informed decisions that lead to a secure and stable future for you and your family.

    CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Guest Introduction

    01:52 What is a Tax Haven?

    02:40 Finance Management

    05:53 Jeff's Career

    09:57 COVID in Melbourne

    12:37 Opportunities in Melbourne

    14:57 Work Culture in Singapore

    17:15 How Jeff got into Finance

    19:43 How to model financial success

    25:43 Mentors

    26:38 The power of repetition

    30:07 Preparing yourself for opportunities

    31:44 Setting Financial Goals

    34:28 Advice for Savings

    38:11 The effect of consistent savings

    39:03 Compound Interest

    42:54 Generational Challenges with Home Buying

    45:10 Overcoming Home Buying Challenges

    46:08 Getting your foot into the market

    47:47 Home Buying in 10 years

    57:52 First Home

    01:00:07 Home Buying Pressures

    01:02:24 Forever Home

    01:03:37 First Home Buying Advice

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    1 hr and 7 mins