In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with KHI head buyer’s agent and Australia’s former top mortgage broker, Ross Le Quesne, to discuss finances and long-term wealth-building strategies.

The episode begins with Ross sharing insights from his journey, having purchased his first home in the early 2000s for $315,000, which would be worth over $1 million today, illustrating the growing challenges that first-time buyers face.

He stresses the importance of focusing on future goals rather than emotional attachments to properties, cautioning against becoming accidental investors.

Ross also debunks the myth that a 20 per cent deposit is necessary, highlighting options like family guarantor loans and lender’s mortgage insurance to help buyers enter the market sooner.

He emphasises consulting a mortgage broker early for financial guidance beyond loans and warns against off-the-plan properties, urging buyers to choose assets that support long-term wealth creation.

Ultimately, Ross encourages buyers to act promptly, as property remains a powerful wealth-building tool despite current market challenges.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with Kev Tran, director and principal buyer’s agent at Kev Tran Group, to discuss the key dilemma for first-time buyers: buying a home to live in versus starting with an investment.

Kev shares how he went from a misinformed first purchase to becoming a successful rentvestor with four properties, now favouring established homes over off-the-plan buys due to delays and poor capital growth.

He explains that while a primary residence offers stability, it can limit borrowing power, whereas rentvesting allows buyers to invest in more affordable markets and benefit from tax advantages.

The duo also highlights a growing trend called “stayvesting” where buyers live with family while investing.

Kev said rentvestors and stayvestors should focus on building a strong support team, especially having a skilled broker and property manager, and prioritise strategic locations with solid economic fundamentals.

While government incentives can help, Kev urges buyers to think beyond short-term perks and focus on long-term financial outcomes.

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 art of property negotiation and how to master it.

Jo highlights the importance of having a clear strategy and being well-prepared, urging buyers to resist pressure to name a price too soon and instead focus on understanding market value, vendor motivations, and competition before making an offer.

She stresses that negotiation isn’t just about price; flexibility, speed, and favourable terms can give buyers a competitive edge, advising buyers to put everything in writing while addressing issues like repairs with tact and professionalism.

Jo explains that being pre-approved and ready to move quickly can make an offer far more appealing to agents and sellers, especially when backed by a 66W certificate in NSW, which signals the buyer’s full commitment with no cooling-off period.

Finally, she urges buyers to do their homework, compare recent sales, and feel confident submitting lower offers if the property appears overpriced.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with Robert Dougherty to discuss his journey as a first property buyer who turned to renovation to enter the property market, motivated by economic factors and the chance to personalise his home.

The duo begins by exploring Robert’s property journey with his wife Megan as they spend a year carefully researching properties before settling in the affordable, spacious Blue Mountains area.

Influenced by a family philosophy to buy the “worst house in the best street” and renovate, the couple has always known that they would renovate their house and embraced the hands-on process despite its difficulties.

Robert stresses the importance of research, thorough inspections, and choosing trustworthy tradies to avoid costly mistakes.

He said the key to renovating is to balance DIY efforts with professional help, learning practical skills along the way while managing unexpected setbacks.

Ultimately, the couple’s renovation has become more than a financial investment – it has created a personalised home that reflects their values.

Robert’s journey reflects the growing renovation trend in Australia and encourages first-time buyers to consider it a fulfilling path to home ownership.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer chats with Melbourne-based auctioneer Andy Reid to break down the auction process, sharing practical strategies for first-time buyers to secure their dream home.

Recognising that auctions can be daunting for newcomers, Andy demystifies the process with a “101” approach that covers everything from preparation to state-specific nuances.

The duo acknowledges the emotional intensity of auctions and recommends reducing stress through thorough preparation, setting a clear budget, visualising the first moments, and plenty of practice.

Given the popularity of auctions in Australia, Andy urges first-time buyers to observe as many auctions as possible to become familiar with the format and atmosphere.

For successful bidding, he highlights the importance of confidence – speed, volume, and tone can intimidate other bidders – and suggests challenging increments to gain an edge.

He also reminds buyers that winning an auction means acting fast, with an immediate deposit and contract signing, so being sure of their decision is crucial.

Andy wraps up by encouraging buyers to ask questions and seek guidance, underscoring the need to enjoy this exciting milestone in their home ownership journey.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with founder and CEO of InvestorKit, Arjun Paliwal, to discuss how couples can successfully invest in their first property together.

The duo starts the episode by reflecting on Arjun’s journey, who bought his first property at 22 to build a $20 million portfolio with his wife, emphasising the need for the couple to work as a team and invest in building strong careers.

When investing as a couple, Arjun advises clear division of roles and mutual trust are essential to avoid conflict and streamline decisions, with both partners aligned on goals but focused on their respective strengths during the process.

Arjun also advises couples to have clear communication about finances with safeguards like buffers to help them manage risks and build confidence.

He suggests planning for worst-case scenarios to protect assets in the event of a relationship breakdown.

The duo also discusses investment strategy, with Arjun suggesting using data-driven tools, being aware of location, and rentvesting strategies to buy their first property.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with real estate agent Paul Davis from First National Real Estate Daystar to dissect each step of buying a property while clarifying inspection processes and real estate jargon.

The duo starts exploring potential buyers’ journey, with Paul highlighting the importance of securing pre-approval first to ensure buyers know their budget and are financially ready.

Paul warns against revealing budgets to agents, which may weaken negotiation power.

During property inspections, buyers should carefully check the building’s condition and obtain pest and building reports. For strata properties, understanding the strata report and consulting a solicitor is crucial to avoid hidden costs.

The next step of making an offer involves submitting a formal, written bid, typically including a small deposit and a cooling-off period.

Finally, settlement marks the official transfer of ownership, concluding a journey that requires education, patience, and professional guidance

Paul encourages patience, noting that missing out on properties is common, but persistence pays off.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with mortgage broker Eva Loisance from Finni Mortgages to dissect the mortgage maze for first property buyers.

The duo starts by outlining the key loan options for first-time buyers in three main categories: basic versus package loans, variable versus fixed rates, and principal and interest versus interest-only repayments.

Eva explains that basic loans offer lower rates with fewer features, while package loans include extras like offset accounts, which can reduce the interest paid. Variable rates fluctuate with the market, while fixed rates offer stable repayments over a period.

She emphasises that being well-prepared with documentation and transparent about financial history are crucial when applying for a loan, as even a modest credit history, like responsibly managing a small credit card, can enhance borrowing opportunities.

To avoid mortgage stress, Eva encourages buyers to make small extra repayments to save on interest over the loan’s life, as being proactive with repayments can shorten the 30-year loan significantly.