In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer is joined by Eva Loisance and Costa Arvanitopoulos to unpack how rising interest rates and shifting lending policies are reshaping the path to home ownership.

The trio breaks down the Reserve Bank of Australia's recent 0.25 per cent cash rate increase and explains how inflationary pressures are driving tighter monetary policy.

They warn that even modest rate hikes can significantly reduce borrowing capacity, particularly as property prices continue to climb.

The discussion highlights how successive increases compound repayment pressures, widening the gap between what buyers can borrow and what homes cost.

Loisance outlines how family pledge arrangements are helping first home buyers enter the market without a large cash deposit by leveraging parental equity.

Arvanitopoulos stresses that borrowing power varies widely between lenders, making broker guidance critical in navigating credit policies and living expense assessments.

The brokers also reframe lenders mortgage insurance as a strategic tool that can help buyers secure property sooner and potentially benefit from capital growth.

Ultimately, the hosts emphasise proactive budgeting, refinancing strategies, and informed decision-making as essential tools for buyers operating in a volatile rate environment.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer spoke with Kev Tran of Kev Tran Group about how young Australians can realistically build their property portfolios in 2026.

Tran says strong market fundamentals have been keeping property prices growing despite interest rate hikes, but warns that rising prices and stagnant wages will limit borrowing power, making income growth essential.

He highlights shaping strategies around factors such as loan-to-value ratios, guarantor support, and lenders mortgage insurance, and encourages buyers to look beyond local markets for affordability.

First-time investors should understand their finances and work with a broker to identify suitable properties. Tran names Western Australia, Queensland, and South Australia as hotspots, noting Melbourne may offer value after slower growth.

Tran also cautions against high-supply apartments with large strata fees and overstretching on programs such as the 5 per cent Deposit Scheme.

Ultimately, the duo urge first-time investors to avoid hesitation and FOMO-driven choices, focus on education and preparation, and seize opportunities amid market uncertainty.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer is joined by Cyber Daily journalist Daniel Croft to unpack the growing threat of real estate scams and share tips on how buyers can avoid losing their money.

The discussion centres on a recent case in which a first-time buyer lost a $50,000 deposit after falling victim to a sophisticated phishing email impersonating a conveyancer.

Despite checking the details, the buyer was only able to recover a small portion of the funds, highlighting the devastating financial consequences of these schemes.

The hosts explain that scammers are increasingly drawn to property transactions due to the large sums involved and are using advanced technology to make fraudulent communications appear legitimate.

Another attempted scam involving a $1.2 million transfer was stopped by a bank, underscoring the critical role financial institutions play in fraud prevention.

Data showing Australians lost more than $334 million to scams in 2025 further illustrates the scale of the issue.

Croft urges buyers to verify all communications, use secure payment methods, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid acting on urgent requests until they are properly verified.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer is joined by mortgage broker Eva Loisance to unpack how interest rates shape borrowing decisions for first-time buyers.

Loisance explains how the Reserve Bank cash rate drives lending costs and why small rate movements can still influence buyer confidence and strategy.

She outlines the key economic forces behind rate decisions, including inflation, employment, and broader financial conditions.

The discussion breaks down the pros and cons of fixed and variable loans, highlighting the trade-off between certainty and flexibility.

Loisance also details how splitting a loan between fixed and variable can balance stability with repayment freedom.

Refinancing is presented as a powerful tool, with borrowers encouraged to review their loans regularly to secure better terms.

The episode stresses the importance of maintaining a financial buffer to manage rate rises and unexpected expenses.

It concludes with practical tips on making extra repayments and using offsets to reduce interest and shorten loan terms.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with Sabine Kaufmann to explore the challenges of navigating Sydney's property market, including making compromises, handling competition, and facing tough decisions.

Kaufmann shares her journey from renting in Bondi to buying her first apartment in Zetland, reflecting on the lifestyle adjustments required when moving from a beachside suburb to a more city-centric location.

She explains how, like many first-time buyers, she had to compromise, prioritising apartment layout over size and forgoing a car park to secure the right property.

Rising rents and stamp duty exemptions were key factors that motivated her decision to buy rather than continue renting.

Kaufmann also details attending multiple inspections, making offers, and learning from early setbacks, highlighting the importance of persistence in a competitive market.

She stresses careful budgeting, understanding ongoing costs such as strata levies and council fees, and managing cash flow to ensure home owners are financially ready.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer is joined by Hung Chuy from Strategic Brokers to discuss practical strategies for first-time buyers saving for a property deposit in 2026.

The duo start by diving into how fluctuating interest rates slowed the market at the end of 2025, prompting a cautious "wait-and-see" approach among buyers and sellers.

Chuy explains the importance of understanding borrowing capacity and carefully planning finances, particularly with potential rate hikes ahead.

They discuss practical budgeting strategies, including tracking expenses, reviewing big-ticket items such as rent and insurance, and using techniques like living on one income while saving the other.

The conversation also covers government programs, such as the 5 per cent deposit scheme and Help to Buy, which can reduce upfront costs for eligible buyers.

Chuy highlights the need to account for all costs, including strata fees, insurance, and legal expenses, and stresses the value of early planning and working with brokers or financial advisors.

Finally, they explore how aligning savings strategies with property selection can help first-time buyers make smarter, more informed investment decisions.

In the second part of their discussion on the First Property Buyer Show, managing editor Liam Garman and deputy editor Emilie Lauer explore how investors can position their portfolios for 2026 as market conditions shift.

The conversation focuses on rising demand driven by government schemes, constrained housing supply, and the need for more disciplined, price-sensitive strategies.

The pair urge investors to use the slower summer period to review cash flow, equity, rental performance, and portfolio structure, rather than chasing outdated hotspots.

Additionally, they warn that widely publicised postcodes and AI-driven research tools can inflate demand and erode opportunity, reinforcing the importance of on-the-ground research and experienced advice.

Looking ahead, diversification, particularly into commercial property, is emerging as a key theme for 2026.

Garman and Lauer also stress the need for emotional discipline, cautioning against rushed end-of-year decisions, and highlight goal-setting and investor wellbeing as essential foundations for long-term success.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, managing editor Liam Garman and deputy editor Emilie Lauer break down the year that was in Australian property, examining which markets surged, where momentum stalled, and why demand-side policy is setting the scene for further growth into 2026.

The conversation explores interest rate predictions, refinancing options, and the economic forces driving inflation, highlighting why expert advice has become critical in an increasingly complex market.

Garman and Lauer also unpack regional performance across the country, shifting buyer priorities, and the rise of the "compromise or miss out" mindset reshaping purchasing decisions, particularly among younger buyers.

Looking ahead, they discuss why strategy will be central to navigating the next phase of the property cycle and tease part two of the series, focused on building sustainable, long-term property outcomes in 2026.