Buying your first home in 2026 feels exciting — but it can also be overwhelming. Interest rates are uncertain, rental markets remain tight, competition is fierce in the entry-level bracket, and government incentives keep shifting.
If you've been hoping the market might magically get easier next year, this episode is your reminder that preparation, not luck, will set you apart. Whether you're researching the buying a new home process, looking for first-time home buying tips, or comparing the costs of buying a house, 2026 demands clarity and strategy.
In this episode, Veronica and Meighan walk through the real state of the 2026 property landscape and the smart steps first home buyers should be taking now. From borrowing capacity to incentives, from the first home buyer strategy 2026 to avoiding analysis paralysis, they unpack what's changing, what's staying the same, and how to use the holiday period to get a genuine head start. If you've been looking for a first time buying a home guide, this conversation gives you the grounding you need.
Here's what we cover and why it matters:
🏡 What the 2026 property landscape really looks like
Interest rates may fall, stay flat, or even rise — but none of those scenarios guarantee improved affordability. Rental markets remain tight, vacancy rates are low, and competition is escalating in key cities like Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and parts of Sydney. Entry-level stock is particularly hot, with investors and first home buyers fighting for the same properties. Veronica and Meighan explain why waiting for perfect conditions isn't realistic, and why the smartest buying your first home tips start with understanding how the market actually behaves.
They also outline what to check before buying a house, including location fundamentals, infrastructure pipelines and early warning signs of over-competition.
💸 Borrowing power, buffers and financial readiness
Borrowing capacity isn't expected to jump significantly in 2026, and lenders are still applying the strict serviceability buffer — including the APRA serviceability buffer that has constrained many lower-income buyers. This means your borrowing power may improve slightly... or not at all. That's why Veronica and Meighan share practical mortgage tips, like reviewing your spending, clearing short-term debts, and building a savings buffer well before you apply for a loan.
Even small tweaks to your accounts today can make a big difference later. Understanding the costs of buying a house — from stamp duty to legal fees to moving costs — also helps you avoid being blindsided when competition heats up.
📑 Government incentives, schemes and shared equity warnings
Government incentives continue to evolve, from the expanded Government First Home Buyers Guarantee Scheme (where you can buy with a 5% deposit) to lenders now accepting joint applications from friends and siblings. These changes open new doors for buyers considering co-ownership of a house, including buying a house with a friend or buying a house with family.
But incentives also carry risks. Shared equity schemes are not "free money" — they're financial partnerships that affect your long-term capital growth. And borrowing at 95% is highly leveraged, which means you must be smart about asset selection. This episode breaks down who these schemes suit, when they help, and where they can set you back.
🧭 Why strategy will beat emotion every time
The buyers who succeed in 2026 won't be the ones with the highest income — they'll be the ones with a clear first home buyer strategy 2026 and the discipline to follow it. Veronica and Meighan explain how to define what you can realistically afford, which suburbs align with your goals, and what type of property offers long-term value. They also share first time home buying tips to help you avoid rushed decisions and common traps.
📉 The danger of analysis paralysis
Spending months researching without taking action is one of the biggest mistakes first home buyers make. The longer you hesitate, the more the market can shift beneath you. This episode unpacks why over-thinking, fear of over-paying, and waiting for certainty can leave you watching prices rise around you. Understanding the buying a new home process gives you the confidence to act when the right property appears — instead of freezing at the moment it matters most.
🎯 By the end of this episode, you'll understand the key shifts happening in 2026, know how to prepare your finances and strategy, and feel more confident about the steps that truly move you forward — so you can buy your first home with clarity, not chaos.
