Buying your first home in Melbourne isn't just about saving a deposit — it's about navigating the real challenges that stand between you and the keys.
In this episode of Your First Home Buyer Guide, we share Nathan and James's journey from underbidders in Melbourne's northern suburbs to proud owners of a freestanding house that ticked their biggest boxes.
Here's what we cover and why it matters:
🏦 How the First Home Super Saver Scheme Can Help You Save Smarter
We unpack how Nathan and James used the First Home Super Saver Scheme to boost their deposit, why it can be confusing for many first home buyers, and the rules you need to know to avoid costly mistakes.
📍 Making the Right Compromises When Buying in Melbourne
They started in one suburb but had to pivot when prices in their preferred area became out of reach. Using the "Three Ps" property buying framework — price, position, property — they made smart compromises without giving up their goal of buying a freestanding home they could renovate.
🔨 Auction Tips for Melbourne Buyers — the strategies that sealed the deal
From losing early auctions to finally winning the bid, Nathan and James share the strategies that helped them succeed in Melbourne's competitive auction market. If you're looking for tips for bidding at auction in Melbourne, you'll learn the exact preparation steps and auction mindset that made the difference.
💡 Filtering the noise: how to handle well-meaning but unhelpful advice
Confident in what they learned from the First Home Buyer Course, they could politely decline bad advice from well-meaning friends and family — staying focused on their non-negotiables and budget.
🏃 Keeping momentum in a market that feels like it's running away from you
How persistence, process, and expert guidance helped them stay in the game when Melbourne's prices and competition were climbing fast.
If you've been searching for tips for buying a house in Melbourne, want to understand the Melbourne property market, or are considering a first home buyers grant in Melbourne, this real-life case study shows you how preparation, the right education, and a clear process can get you into your first home without regrets.
🎯 By the end of this episode, you'll see exactly how a clear process, smart compromises, and the right support can turn market setbacks into success.
00:00 – Introduction
01:56 – Meet Nathan and James
02:19 – The Decision to Buy a Property
03:25 – Saving for a Deposit: Tips and Strategies
05:08 – Navigating Government Schemes and Incentives
08:14 – The Home Buying Process: Learning and Challenges
12:04 – The Search Process and Making Compromises
13:19 – Navigating Compromises in Home Buying
14:45 – The Importance of Pricing Analysis
16:19 – Learning from Auctions
17:36 – Dealing with Market Competition
19:20 – The Emotional Rollercoaster of Home Buying
22:05 – Final Thoughts and Advice for First Home Buyers
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!
