Regret, Reality, and the Race to Buy: What First Home Buyers Are Really Facing in 2025 With Sarah Megginson
Property Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast
Release Date: 08/13/2025
Property Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast
Have you ever wondered why some property investors seem to build multi-million-dollar portfolios while others never get past their first property—or worse, sell up within five years? It’s not about luck. It’s not about earning six figures. And it’s definitely not about being born into money. In today’s podcast, I explore the common myths surrounding wealth creation and property investment with Brett Warren You’ll learn that most people are trapped by money myths - false beliefs about wealth, investing, and financial security that sound logical but quietly sabotage their success....
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In today’s show, Ken Raiss and I discuss the evolving landscape of retirement planning, emphasising that retirement is not an end but a new chapter that requires strategic investment and financial planning. We look at what it means to keep your money working in retirement, how property investors should adjust — not stop — their strategy, and what you need to consider to maintain financial freedom and even grow your wealth in the years to come. We discuss the importance of understanding longevity risk, the need for owning appreciating assets, and the role of property in...
info_outlineProperty Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast
In today’s show Simon Kuestenmacher and I discuss the significant shift of millennials from urban living to suburban areas. We highlight how millennials are reshaping suburban culture while still valuing aspects of their urban lifestyles. This is a generation that once embraced city skylines, inner-city cafes, and the hustle of urban living, but is now packing up and heading for the burbs. But not for the white picket fence alone. We explore the reasons behind this migration, the changing dynamics of suburban life, and the challenges related to infrastructure and housing markets. ...
info_outlineProperty Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast
Australia’s housing market is under pressure from many directions, but one of the most overlooked barriers is stamp duty. Once a relatively modest transaction cost, stamp duty has ballooned into one of the biggest financial hurdles for homebuyers. Just to give you an idea – in Sydney, stamp duty on a median-priced house has gone from around 45% of a household’s disposable income in 2000 to 120% today. And it’s not just buyers who are suffering. Stamp duty distorts housing decisions, locks people into homes that no longer suit them, and acts as a handbrake on productivity. Today, I'm...
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This winter has shaped up as the strongest property market we’ve seen in a long time, with strong buyer activity and rising confidence cutting through the usual seasonal slowdown. In today's show Dr. Andrew Wilson and I discuss how results have been far from uniform – Sydney is surging ahead with particularly strong performance, while conditions across the other capitals are more varied, reminding us just how segmented Australia’s housing markets really are. We explore the impact of government initiatives for first home buyers, the performance of various regional markets, and the...
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Today I’m joined by Ross Elli, a respected urban thinker and commentator, and we discuss something most politicians and planners are ignoring: the danger of concentrating 70% of Australia’s population into just eight capital cities, and doing it without a real plan. We explore the challenges of infrastructure, the concept of the missing middle in housing, and the need for a national settlement strategy to address the growing population and its impact on quality of life. Whether you're a property investor, policymaker, or simply someone sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic wondering...
info_outlineProperty Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast
Have you ever looked at a tired old property and thought, “There’s potential there,” but weren’t quite sure what to do with it? Well, today’s show could be the spark you need. Because we’re talking about one of the most powerful – and underutilised – strategies for building wealth through property: strategic renovation. In a world where construction costs are soaring and affordability is stretched, more investors are realising that they don’t have to wait for the market to deliver capital growth – they can manufacture it themselves. And joining me to unpack this is Greg...
info_outlineProperty Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast
Imagine inviting thousands of people to a party… but forgetting to organise enough food, chairs, or bathrooms. That’s essentially what Australia is doing by ramping up migration while failing to plan for the housing and infrastructure to support it. Today, Simon Kuestenmacher and I discuss why we can’t keep separating housing policy from migration policy. The conversation around our housing crisis is often framed around interest rates, investors, or planning delays. But there’s a critical dimension we keep avoiding: Australia’s housing and migration policies are completely out of...
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In today’s Macro Insights Podcast, Ken Raiss and I examine who really pays tax in Australia, and the results may surprise you. We also share what the average wage and superannuation balance in Australia is, and I bet these figures will surprise you. We also discuss the latest statement from APRA about its 3% mortgage assessment buffer we will tell you what time of the week you’re most likely to get scammed? As somebody interested in growing your wealth or property, there will be lots in the show for you. Takeaways ...
info_outlineProperty Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast
What happens when the Great Australian Dream becomes a financial nightmare? In 2025, buying your first home in Australia has become less of a rite of passage and more of a high-stakes gamble. Record-high deposits, sky-high property prices, and mortgage repayments eating up more than 30% of many buyers’ income - it’s no wonder almost half of all first home buyers now regret their decision. Today, I’m joined by Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder to discuss their First Home Buyer Report 2025 which reveals the rising pressure on young Australians trying to break into the...
info_outlineWhat happens when the Great Australian Dream becomes a financial nightmare?
In 2025, buying your first home in Australia has become less of a rite of passage and more of a high-stakes gamble. Record-high deposits, sky-high property prices, and mortgage repayments eating up more than 30% of many buyers’ income - it’s no wonder almost half of all first home buyers now regret their decision.
Today, I’m joined by Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder to discuss their First Home Buyer Report 2025 which reveals the rising pressure on young Australians trying to break into the property market - from paying well over budget to being left with no savings at all after settling.
We discuss why buyer's remorse is soaring, how affordability is vanishing, and what it all means for the future of home ownership in Australia.
Whether you’re an investor, a parent helping your kids buy, or just curious about where our housing market is heading, stick around. This is one of those episodes that will shift your perspective.
Takeaways
· The property market is increasingly challenging for first home buyers.
· Financial support from parents is becoming crucial for many buyers.
· Many first home buyers regret their purchase due to overspending.
· Government incentives can help first home buyers enter the market.
· Understanding lenders mortgage insurance is essential for buyers.
· Saving habits are critical for managing home ownership costs.
· Buyers are adapting by considering different locations and dwelling types.
· The emotional aspect of buying a home can be overwhelming.
· It's important to think long-term when making a home purchase.
· There are still opportunities for home ownership despite market challenges.
Chapters
00:00 The Struggles of First Home Buyers
04:39 The Role of Family Support in Home Buying
07:34 Understanding Affordability in the Current Market
10:12 Regrets and Realities of First Home Purchases
13:03 Navigating the Buying Process: Tips and Strategies
15:53 Government Incentives for First Home Buyers
16:46 Saving for a Deposit: Strategies and Challenges
19:49 The Importance of Financial Preparedness
22:30 Adapting to the Market: New Strategies for Buyers
Links and Resources:
Answer this week’s trivia question here- www.PropertyTrivia.com.au
· Win a hard copy of How to Grow a Multi-Million Dollar Property Portfolio – in your spare time.
· Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report – What’s ahead for property for 2025 and beyond.
Finder’s First Home Buyer’s Report https://www.finder.com.au/insights/first-home-buyer-report-2025
Sarah Megginson - money expert and Head of Editorial at Finder https://www.finder.com.au/author/sarahmegginson
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