If you've been scrolling through listings in your dream suburb, only to realise the prices are still miles ahead of your borrowing power, you're not alone. Thousands of first home buyers across Australia are feeling the pressure of rising property prices — especially in lifestyle suburbs that have surged well beyond reach. But being priced out doesn't mean the door to homeownership is closed. It simply means you need a smarter, more strategic path to get there.
In this episode, Meighan and Veronica unpack three practical pathways that can help first home buyers enter the market sooner, even when their preferred suburb feels unattainable right now. Whether you're considering rentvesting, exploring guarantor loans, or thinking about co-ownership property arrangements, this episode breaks down the options clearly so you can move forward with confidence instead of confusion.
🏠 Rentvesting: Live Where You Love, Buy Where You Can
For many first home buyers, rentvesting has become one of the most realistic ways to break into the market. Instead of holding out for a property in an expensive suburb, you rent where you want to live and buy where you can afford. This strategy allows you to begin building equity sooner — often years sooner — rather than waiting for your savings to catch up to skyrocketing home prices.
In the episode, Meighan and Veronica take a balanced look at the pros and cons of rentvesting, helping first-time buyers assess whether it truly fits their lifestyle and long-term goals. Rentvesting can be a powerful strategy when the investment property is chosen carefully and with capital growth in mind. But they also highlight one of the biggest trade-offs: when you eventually sell, capital gains tax may apply, and that can affect your wealth strategy.
Another commonly overlooked downside is the lack of stability. Renting means you don't control your long-term living situation — if your landlord decides to sell, you're suddenly on the move again. Meighan and Veronica also share real examples of clients who chose rentvesting but ended up selling earlier than planned because the structure didn't suit their lifestyle over time.
Still, for buyers who understand the trade-offs and choose their investment wisely, rentvesting can be a powerful way to enter the market sooner — especially if the alternative is doing nothing.
💸 Guarantor Loans: Help Without the Headache
If you're struggling with savings or borrowing capacity, a guarantor loan can fast-track your path into homeownership. This option allows a family member to use the equity in their home to help you avoid or reduce LMI, increase your borrowing capacity, or support your deposit position.
But as Meighan and Veronica explain, guarantor loans come with real responsibilities and risks. A guarantor is legally tied to your loan — if something goes wrong, they're liable. That's why understanding the risks of being a guarantor for a home loan is essential before involving family.
The episode covers when guarantor loans can work well, how to structure them safely, and why you must have honest "what if" conversations upfront — What if someone loses their job? Moves overseas? Enters a new relationship? These conversations matter more than most buyers realise.
Meighan and Veronica also compare guarantor loans with current government schemes for first home buyers, unpacking why price caps and incentives can sometimes distort the market or steer buyers toward lower-quality stock.
👥 Co-Ownership: Team Up to Get In Sooner
For some buyers, the best pathway isn't buying alone — it's buying with a friend or family member. Co-ownership is becoming increasingly popular as buyers combine incomes, deposits, and borrowing power to access homes or suburbs that would otherwise be impossible.
But co-ownership isn't as simple as splitting repayments. Meighan and Veronica explain how to set up strong legal frameworks such as co-ownership agreements or shareholder-style contracts that outline expectations, responsibilities, and exit strategies. They walk through essential conversations around career changes, relationship shifts, future plans, and what happens if one party wants out.
When set up properly, co-ownership can dramatically expand your options.
🚫 Beware the "Freebie" Trap
Government incentives may look appealing, but they often come with price caps, restrictions, and competition that push buyers into poor-quality markets. This episode explains why long-term growth matters more than short-term perks — and how to avoid being lured into the wrong property.
🎯 By the end of the episode, you'll have a clear understanding of your real options — rentvesting, guarantor loans, and co-ownership — and how each strategy can help you take your next step with confidence. Buying your first home is still possible. You just need the right path and the right plan.
