In this special Q&A episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with property editor Liam Garman to tackle listeners’ top questions about navigating Australia’s challenging property market as a first-time buyer.

The episode covers everything from market dynamics to financial preparedness, with a strong focus on the importance of thorough property inspections, especially when buying apartments or new builds, which often come with hidden structural issues.

Liam urges buyers to favour established properties over off-the-plan ones, citing inflated prices, oversupply risks, and aggressive sales incentives in new developments.

Financial strategy is a key theme, with Liam recommending a 20 per cent deposit to avoid lender’s mortgage insurance and advising against prioritising student debt repayment over asset acquisition.

The show also explores saving tactics, suggesting short-term, practical methods like budgeting and taking on extra work, rather than investing in shares or super.

For those considering joint purchases, the hosts caution against buying with friends due to exit risks, instead recommending rentvesting for solo buyers.

They emphasise the need to treat the first property as a stepping stone, not a forever home, and stress the value of maintaining a financial buffer.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer is joined by financial adviser John Stallman from Super Advice AI to discuss key financial strategies for first-time buyers.

John shares key strategies for navigating the Australian property market, emphasising the importance of timing and simplifying complex financial topics for first-time buyers.

The discussion highlights how manageable financial planning can empower buyers, with John drawing from his investment journey to demonstrate the value of early, strategic decisions.

Government initiatives such as the deposit guarantee program and the First Home Super Saver Scheme are presented as effective tools for reducing upfront financial hurdles.

John also introduces the concept of “rentvesting” – renting where you live while owning an investment property – as a savvy approach to leverage tax benefits through negative gearing.

He emphasises the importance of long-term financial planning, built on four key pillars: property investment, superannuation, contingency reserves, and maintaining a lifestyle balance.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer speaks with investor and founder of the Right Property Group, Reshmi Kumar, to discuss the importance of strategy and goal-setting for first-time buyers navigating Australia’s property market.

The duo first reflects on the urgency that young buyers often feel to enter the market, driven by the fear of missing out.

Reshmi emphasises the importance of careful planning and setting SMART goals, using her own journey – beginning with just $4,500 and purchasing a $137,000 home in 1998 – as proof of how a modest start can evolve into long-term wealth.

She explains how each property she bought with her husband, Victor, aligned with broader life goals they had, such as schools and lifestyle, and recommends capital-growth-focused investments, especially for women balancing family and career.

Reshmi also advises giving at least a year between purchases to gain hands-on experience with ownership responsibilities and financial management.