First Home Unlocked
Episodes
34 - Unlocking How Banks Decide What You Can Borrow as a First Home Buyer
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Borrowing capacity isn't just about your income, and it's not the same at every bank. Banks are also looking at your deposit, your debts, your spendin...
Episode 33 | Unlocking Rising Rates, Market Uncertainty and What It Means for First Home Buyers
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There's a lot happening right now. Another interest rate rise, global uncertainty, fuel and supply issues, and a federal budget just around the corner...
Episode 32 | Unlocking How to Buy Strategically with a Gift, Inheritance or Large Deposit
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you've saved a significant deposit, received a gift from family, or come into money through inheritance, you're in a strong position as a first hom...
Episode 31 | Unlocking the Power of Offset & Redraw for First Home Buyers
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Understanding how offset accounts and redraw facilities work can save you thousands in interest and years off your home loan. But most first home buye...
Episode 30 | Unlocking How to Handle Pressure As A First Home Buyer
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Buying your first home is a big decision, and it often comes with a lot of external pressure. Pressure from family, friends, media headlines, and some...
Bonus: Unlocking What the Rate Rise Means for First Home Buyers
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In early February 2026, there was an interest rate rise announced by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Jack Elliott and Chris Bates talk through wh...
Episode 29 | Unlocking How to Buy Your First Home in 2026: Part 2
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If buying your first home is part of your plan for 2026, this two-part series is designed to give you a clear, step-by-step framework to follow.In Par...
Episode 28 | Unlocking How to Buy Your First Home in 2026: Part 1
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If buying your first home is part of your plan for 2026, this two-part series is designed to give you a clear, step-by-step framework to follow.In Par...
Episode 27 | Unlocking Our 2025 Lessons & Reflections for First Home Buyers
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this final episode for 2025, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates reflect on the biggest lessons and insights from working with first home buyers over the ...
Episode 26 | Unlocking the Federal Government Help to Buy Shared Equity Scheme
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Federal Government’s new Help to Buy shared equity scheme has officially opened, and for some first home buyers it could help bridge the gap bet...
Episode 25 | Unlocking Interest Rates and Why They Move
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Interest rates are one of the first things first home buyers focus on. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down what an interest rate ...
Episode 24 | Unlocking Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lender’s Mortgage Insurance is sometimes a misunderstood part of buying your first home. Most people know it shows up when your deposit is under 20%...
Episode 23 | Unlocking Your Loan to Value Ratio (LVR)
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) is one of those terms you’ll hear a lot when applying for a loan, but not every first home buyer understands how it a...
Episode 22 | Unlocking Repayment Frequency: Does Fortnightly Really Save You Thousands?
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve probably seen the claim online that paying your mortgage fortnightly will save you thousands in interest. In this episode, Jack Elliott and C...
Episode 21 | Unlocking How Your Mortgage Actually Works
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most first home buyers think a mortgage is just a loan but understanding how it actually works can help you use it as a tool for long-term flexibility...
Episode 20 | Unlocking the Truth About the 5% Deposit Scheme
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The First Home Guarantee Scheme has a new name, it’s now called the 5% Deposit Scheme, but how it actually works, and what the latest report reveals...
Episode 19 | Unlocking First Home Buyer Support in Western Australia
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Western Australia offers some strong incentives to help first home buyers reduce upfront costs and enter the market with confidence, but knowing how t...
Episode 18 | Unlocking First Home Buyer Support in South Australia
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
South Australia offers a range of incentives to help first home buyers reduce upfront costs and enter the market sooner, but knowing which ones actual...
Episode 17 | Unlocking First Home Buyer Support in Northern Territory
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Northern Territory offers some of the most generous first home buyer incentives in Australia from full stamp duty exemptions for new builds, to gr...
Episode 16 | Unlocking First Home Buyer Support in Victoria
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Victoria offers a range of incentives to help first home buyers get into the market sooner, from full stamp duty exemptions to a $10,000 grant for new...
Episode 15 | Unlocking First Home Buyer Support in Tasmania
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tasmania offers a mix of incentives that can help first home buyers cut upfront costs and get into the market sooner. From full stamp duty exemptions ...
Episode 14 | Unlocking First Home Buyer Support in Australian Capital Territory
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The ACT takes a different approach to first home buyer support. There’s no First Home Owner Grant and no first home buyer specific stamp duty exempt...
Episode 13 | Unlocking First Home Buyer Support in New South Wales
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New South Wales has a range of incentives designed to help first home buyers reduce upfront costs and enter the market sooner. From stamp duty concess...
Episode 12 | Unlocking First Home Buyer Support in Queensland
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Queensland has a range of incentives to help first home buyers enter the market sooner and reduce upfront costs. From stamp duty concessions to a $30,...
Episode 11 | Unlocking Shared Equity Schemes: What First Home Buyers Need to Know
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shared equity schemes are becoming more common across Australia, offering first home buyers the chance to purchase with a smaller deposit and lower re...
Episode 10 | Unlocking The First Home Guarantee Scheme: Buy Your First Home With 5% Deposit
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Saving for a deposit can be one of the biggest challenges of buying your first home. The First Home Guarantee Scheme helps by making it possible with ...
Episode 9 | Unlocking The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS)
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Saving for a deposit is one of the biggest challenges for first home buyers. The First Home Super Saver Scheme is designed to help, but the rules can ...
Episode 8 | Unlocking Formal Approval & Settlement for First Home Buyers
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve made your offer, it’s been accepted, and the contracts are signed, now what?In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates walk you through ...
Episode 7 | Unlocking Offers: How To Make a Confident Offer as a First Home Buyer
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Making an offer on your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when every agent handles things differently, and there are no standard rules.In t...
Episode 6 | Unlocking Asset Quality: How to Choose the Right Property as a First Home Buyer
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Buying your first home isn’t just about getting into the market, it’s about making a smart choice that supports your goals now and sets you up for...
Episode 5 | Unlocking the Power of Pre-Approval for First Home Buyers
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Getting pre-approved isn’t just about ticking a box, it's about buying with clarity, confidence, and control.In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris...
Episode 4 | Unlocking Your Deposit: How Much Do First Home Buyers Really Need?
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the biggest myths in home buying is that you need a 20% deposit. While it can help avoid some costs, it’s not a requirement, and focusing onl...
Episode 3 | Unlocking the Real Cost of Buying Your First Home
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When people think about the cost of buying their first home, they usually focus on the deposit.But the true cost includes a range of extra expenses, a...
Episode 2 | Key Timing: When to Talk to a Broker as a First Home Buyer
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When’s the right time to speak to a mortgage broker? Most first home buyers think it’s once they’ve saved the full deposit or found the perfect ...
Episode 1 | Unlocking Your Property Vision as a First Home Buyer
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The first step in buying your home isn’t finance, it’s getting clear on your goals and vision.In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates talk a...
Episode 0 | Unlocking the Vision: Why We Created First Home Unlocked
21 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling overwhelmed by the process of buying your first home? You’re not alone, and you're in the right place. 🔑🏠In this debut episode o...