Should I buy my forever home now, even if I’m not quite ready for it yet? That’s the question we’re unpacking in this episode. We’ve come across a few first home buyers who are in the rare position of being able to afford more than they need, and it’s worth talking about. Because while the budget might say “forever home,” the lifestyle might be saying, “not just yet.”

We talk through the big trade-offs: the costs of upgrading later, the benefits of locking in today’s prices, and the risk of buying something that doesn’t really work for you right now. We’ve seen buyers try to plan five or ten years ahead, and sometimes get it wrong. So we’re sharing the questions you need to ask yourself before making a call: should I buy my forever home if I might not live in it for years? What would future-me want? And will this decision give me more flexibility or less?

We also cover rentvesting, tax considerations, and the emotional side of home buying, because let’s face it, excitement and FOMO can be sneaky decision drivers. This episode isn’t about telling you what to do, it’s about helping you think it through properly, with a bit of strategy and some guidance from people who’ve seen it all before.

If you’ve been wondering, should I buy my forever home now, this one’s for you. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer but there is a smarter way to figure it out.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

02:00 - Defining the “forever home” vs. “first home” mindset

04:10 - Buying now for a future lifestyle: projecting 5 to 10 years ahead

05:30 - Weighing the cost of upgrading later

07:50 - Capital growth and locking in today’s prices

10:00 - The rentvesting alternative

13:10 - Risks of lifestyle misalignment

16:30 - Tax and insurance considerations for rentvesting

18:20 - Emotional vs. strategic buying

20:00 - Why you need a strategic plan and expert advice

21:30 - Questions to ask before buying your forever home early

Course Details:

• The 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/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• 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.

If you’re planning to buy in an area where auctions are common, then you need to understand how to win a property auction. Too many buyers show up on the day without a game plan, and we’ve seen it all. From people freezing up, bidding too late, or walking away from a property they actually wanted, just because they didn’t know how to handle the pressure.

In this episode, we’re sharing the do’s and don’ts of auction day. We talk about the psychology behind the bidding process, what makes people lose control, and why staying calm and knowing your walk-away price is non-negotiable. There’s strategy involved, and if you don’t know it, you could end up making an expensive mistake.

We’ll also walk you through how to win a property auction by showing you what prep actually looks like, beyond just getting your finances sorted. We cover how to read the auctioneer, spot bait pricing, and avoid getting psyched out by other bidders. It’s all about being ready before the auction even begins.

At the end of the day, buying at auction doesn’t have to be terrifying. When you know how to win a property auction and you understand the rules, the pace, and the tactics; you’re not just crossing your fingers and hoping. You’re in control.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

04:08 - Why do auctions freak people out?

07:15 - Auction DOs

10:15 - Auction DON’Ts

Course Details:

• The 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/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• 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.

Building and pest reports are one of those things that can completely spook a first home buyer, and we’ve seen it happen time and time again. You get the report back, and suddenly it feels like everything’s falling apart. But here’s what we’ve learned after decades in the business: red flags in property inspections are only red flags if you don’t know how to interpret them.

In this episode, we walk you through ten of the most common issues that pop up in these reports; moisture readings, termite activity, cracking walls, dodgy drainage, even tree roots, and explain what they actually mean. We’re not here to downplay serious problems, but we are here to help you sort out what’s a real concern and what just sounds scary.

We’ve seen a lot over the years, and we share examples from properties we’ve inspected ourselves, like the time a simple ag drain fixed what sounded like a major issue, or when a historic termite note turned out to be nothing worth losing sleep over. The point is, red flags in property inspections can be valuable if you know how to read them properly.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone, but you also don’t have to panic. This episode will give you the tools to ask the right questions, have better conversations with your inspector, and make smart, confident decisions about your future home. Red flags in property inspections? We’ve got you covered.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

02:00 - Where building & pest fits into the buying process

03:14 - Red Flag #1: High moisture readings

04:30 - Red Flag #2: Evidence of termite activity

06:31 - Red Flag #3: Cracking in walls

08:46 - Red Flag #4: Displaced or damaged roof tiles

09:51 - Red Flag #5: Inadequate drainage

11:18 - Red Flag #6: Subfloor ventilation problems

12:49 - Red Flag #7: Dampness in bathrooms

13:59 - Red Flag #8: Tree roots near the structure

15:24 - Red Flag #9: Timber decay or fungal growth

16:09 - Red Flag #10: Safety hazards or non-compliant structures

Course Details:

• The 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/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse
• 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.