Local Knowledge is Everything
The biggest theme of this episode is clear: when buying on the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast, local knowledge can make or break your decision. From zoning rules to infrastructure projects, every suburb has quirks that affect value and liveability. Without that insight, out-of-town buyers often overpay or choose a property with limited growth.

Sunshine Coast: New Estates vs. Lifestyle Locations
Karen explains that Sunshine Coast buyers tend to fall into two groups: those drawn to new estates like Aura or Palmview for brand-new homes and facilities, and those chasing older homes closer to the beach for lifestyle and renovation potential.

● New estates may look appealing but often have tiny blocks, high density, and long-term oversupply risks.

● Beachside homes are scarcer and more expensive but offer stronger capital growth over time.

Her key advice: understand the trade-off between shiny and new versus location and growth.

Gold Coast: Houses, Duplexes and Lifestyle Appeal
Tony highlights that the Gold Coast is a lifestyle-driven market, with strong demand for properties near the water. While houses are always preferred for their land content, many first home buyers successfully enter the market through duplexes or townhouses.
● Duplexes often provide more space, land and value than apartments.

● Renovation opportunities (like converting a garage to a living area) can quickly build equity.

Location is key: northern suburbs often provide better affordability while southern beachside suburbs command premiums.

Apartments: The Risks and Opportunities
Apartments often divide opinion for first home buyers. Both experts agree:

● Avoid cookie-cutter high-rise complexes with hundreds of units—oversupply limits growth.

● Look for smaller boutique blocks (4–6 units), older style units with land content, or properties with potential to add value.

● On the Sunshine Coast, areas like Kings Beach offer affordable apartments (some with ocean views under $500k) and strong demand due to limited supply.

The Danger of Out-of-Town Comparisons
One of the biggest mistakes first home buyers make is comparing coastal prices to Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. A two-bedroom ocean-view unit for $400k may sound "cheap" compared to a capital city, but without local knowledge you could easily overpay by tens of thousands. Both Karen and Tony have seen buyers pay 10% or more above true value, simply because they lacked local benchmarks.

Infrastructure & Zoning Pitfalls
Another trap for first home buyers is failing to check planned infrastructure or council zoning changes.

● On the Gold Coast, new motorways and road corridors can dramatically reduce a property's value due to noise and disruption.

● On the Sunshine Coast, certain zoning restrictions prevent short-term letting (like Airbnb), which can limit rental returns.

This reinforces why local expertise is crucial before committing.

Rentvesting on the Coasts
For first home buyers priced out of their dream home, rentvesting (buying an investment property and renting where you want to live) can be a smart option.

● On both coasts, houses at affordable price points can sometimes generate 5% rental yields.

● Beware of chasing yield alone—high yields often come at the expense of long-term growth.

● Always consider who your future buyers will be: a property designed purely for short-term rentals may limit your resale market.

The FOMO Trap: Buyer Beware
Both experts share stories of first home buyers succumbing to fear of missing out (FOMO):
● Buying sight unseen, relying only on an agent's photos.

● Paying 20–30% above value in hot markets.

● Ignoring red flags like busy roads, future developments, or poor rental demand.

The lesson? Emotions should never override due diligence. Take your time, do the research, and get unbiased advice.

Final Tips from the Experts
● Always compare like with like—don't assume all three-bed houses are equal.

● Recalibrate your expectations: what feels "close" in Sydney might feel remote on the Sunshine Coast.

● Don't just buy anything to "get in"—make smart compromises that still give you growth potential.

● If you're buying an apartment, check height restrictions, zoning, and body corporate rules to protect long-term value.

👉 Ready to get started? Check out THE First Home Buyer Course.