First Time Property Investors - Part 1: Navigating Finance
Release Date: 08/19/2024
Talk Property To Me Podcast
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down why the RBA has held interest rates, why inflation remains stubbornly high, and what this really means for Australia’s property market moving into 2025 and 2026. We unpack the key drivers behind the RBA’s decision, including rising electricity prices, cost-of-living pressures, and why rate hikes don’t always fix inflation. The discussion also dives into the latest APRA changes, including debt-to-income (DTI) limits, tighter trust lending rules, and how these policies could impact investors, first-home...
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In this episode of Talk Property To Me, Brad East and Aaron Downie break down Australia’s 2026 Property Market Forecast using the latest SQM Research Boom & Bust Report. We analyse population growth, supply shortages, dwelling completions, and city-by-city price predictions to explain what buyers and investors should expect in 2026. Australia is heading into another major year for real estate, with 390,000 new migrants, tight vacancy rates, and a national housing shortage continuing to shape prices. In this episode, we unpack why Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide and the Sunshine Coast...
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In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down one of the biggest debates in the Australia property market 2026: Are houses still outperforming units, or has the market completely shifted? With affordability tightening, inflation rising, and lifestyle preferences changing across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and regional areas, many buyers and investors are rethinking where real long-term value actually is. In this episode, we analyse why units and townhouses are now outperforming houses in multiple LGAs, what’s driving this shift, and how buyers can...
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In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie unpack one of Australia’s biggest issues right now: building approvals are rising, but construction output is falling — all while the country faces the largest population boom on record. Australia approved more homes than ever in 2024–2025, yet fewer houses are actually being built. In this episode, we break down the real reasons behind the housing supply crunch — from labour shortages, skyrocketing material costs and developer feasibility, to the impact of surging investor lending and record migration. We...
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In this episode of Talk Property To Me, Brad East and Aaron Downie break down one of the biggest debates in Australia’s housing market: Are 50-year mortgages the future of property affordability? 🇦🇺🏡 With affordability at record lows, rising interest rates, and the average first-home buyer now aged 36+, longer loan terms are gaining attention. But what does stretching your mortgage to 40 or even 50 years actually mean for your finances? Today, we analyse the real numbers, the hidden risks, and how longer mortgages impact negative equity, borrowing capacity, property prices, and...
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In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down the latest updates on Australia’s inflation, interest rates, and property market trends for 2025. Australia’s inflation remains stubbornly high, with electricity and housing costs driving prices up. Despite this, the RBA has held rates steady, and now experts are questioning when the next rate cuts might actually happen. Brad and Aaron unpack what’s really going on behind the scenes — from government policy to construction slowdowns, and how it’s shaping home prices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and...
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In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie dive deep into the Brisbane property market and what the upcoming 2032 Olympics could really mean for property prices, construction, and investment opportunities in Queensland. Brisbane has been one of Australia’s fastest-growing housing markets, but with construction costs still rising and thousands of new homes needed before 2032, investors and homebuyers are asking the same question — will the Olympics drive another property boom or a sharp correction?📊 In this episode, Brad and Aaron break down the real numbers...
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In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie unpack Australia’s biggest housing challenges right now — rising unemployment, a slowing construction industry, and a record number of luxury homes for sale in Sydney. As unemployment hits a four-year high, the RBA faces a tough decision: when will the next interest rate cut come, and what will it mean for homeowners, builders, and first-home buyers? They also explore why building completion rates are falling, how labour shortages and high construction costs are creating pressure, and what the government’s 1.2...
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In this First Home Buyer Australia 2025 Masterclass, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie from Talk Property To Me explain everything you need to know to buy your first home in Australia — from saving your deposit to getting pre-approval, choosing the right home loan, and avoiding costly first-time buyer mistakes. What you’ll learn in this episode: 💰 How to buy your first home in Australia 2025 📊 New Home Guarantee Scheme updates – unlimited places, no income cap, higher price limits 💵 Deposit options explained – 2 % and 5 % deposit loans for first home buyers 🏡...
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Mill Park Property: Australia’s Next Growth Hotspot or Risky Buy? In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie unpack one of Melbourne’s most talked-about suburbs — Mill Park. They reveal whether it’s truly a smart buy in 2025 or if investors should look elsewhere. Located just 20 km northeast of Melbourne’s CBD, Mill Park offers family lifestyle appeal, strong infrastructure, and limited housing supply — but how does it really perform for investors? Brad and Aaron analyse property prices, yields, vacancy rates, and long-term ROI forecasts to uncover...
info_outlineWelcome back to another episode of Talk Property to Me! In this episode, my co-host Aaron Downey and I dive into the world of first-time property investors in Australia, focusing specifically on the finance aspect. This episode is part one of a two-part series, with the next episode delving into the property side of things.
We kick off the episode by discussing the crucial question of how much deposit is needed for first-time property investors. We explore the concept of lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) and its impact on deposit requirements. We also touch on the option of using a guarantor to increase the deposit amount and avoid LMI.
Moving on, we delve into government schemes available for first-time homebuyers in Australia, particularly in New South Wales. We highlight schemes like the first home loan deposit scheme and stamp duty exemptions, emphasising the eligibility criteria and benefits for first-time buyers.
Next, we shift our focus to understanding how banks assess borrowing capacity for potential property investors. We break down the calculation process, including net income, living expenses, and loan repayments. We stress the importance of managing existing debts like credit cards to improve borrowing capacity.
In a thought-provoking segment, we discuss the strategy of rent vesting for individuals who cannot afford to buy property in their desired location. We explore the concept of investing in more affordable markets while renting in a preferred area, highlighting the potential benefits and considerations for this strategy.
Wrapping up the episode, we touch on the significance of financial discipline and strategic planning for aspiring property investors. We emphasise the need to assess individual financial situations, explore alternative options, and make informed decisions to achieve property ownership goals.
Join us next week for part two of our series, where we will delve into the property side of first-time property investment in Australia. Stay tuned for more insights, tips, and advice on navigating the property market as a first-time investor.
Thank you for tuning in to Talk Property to Me! Remember to connect with us on our social media platforms and reach out with any questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes. See you next time!
00:00:02 - Introduction to Finance Tips for First Time Property Investors
00:02:12 - Explanation of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)
00:03:29 - Tips for Saving a Deposit
00:08:55 - Overview of Government Schemes for First Home Buyers
00:11:30 - How Banks Assess Borrowing Capacity
00:16:13 - Impact of Credit Cards on Borrowing Capacity
00:18:49 - Considerations Before Buying Property When Planning for Kids
00:21:47 - Introduction to Rent Vesting Strategy
00:25:25 - Conclusion and Preview of Part Two
ABOUT THE HOST
BRAD EAST
Brad East is the Managing Director of Wisebuy Home Loans. Brad is an award-winning mortgage broker and has helped thousands of clients gain finance to purchase properties. Wisebuy Home Loans is the go-to mortgage brokerage for clients wanting out-of-the-box applications approved.
Website → https://wisebuygroup.com.au
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/newcastlemortgagebroker/
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