First Home Unlocked

Jack Elliott
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Buying your first home is a huge milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming, confusing, and full of pressure. First Home Unlocked is here to change that, and to help you reach your first home with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Jack Elliott, National First Home Buyer Specialist at Alcove, and Chris Bates, one of Australia’s top-ranked mortgage brokers, this podcast simplifies the home buying journey and empowers you with the keys to unlock your first home. Each episode is practical, clear, and designed specifically for first home buyers. From understanding the buying process to choosing a property that fits your long-term vision, Jack and Chris will guide you through every step with real conversations and expert support. You’re not in this alone. Hit subscribe and let’s unlock your first home together.

  1. 6D AGO

    Bonus: Unlocking What the Rate Rise Means for First Home Buyers

    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 what this actually means for first home buyers and how to respond without feeling rushed or pressured. We break down the practical impact of a rate rise on both monthly repayments and borrowing capacity, and share real examples so you can understand what this looks like in your situation. Most importantly, we talk about what you can control right now. You can't control interest rates or the market, but you can control getting a clear plan in place that suits your goals, your budget, and your life. In this episode: 🔑 What the interest rate rise means for first home buyers 🔑 The practical impact on monthly repayments and borrowing capacity 🔑 Why building buffers into your plan from the start matters 🔑 What to focus on right now and how to control what you can control 🔑 What Chris is seeing in the market after the rate rise Timestamps 00:00 - What First Home Buyers Should Do After a Rate Rise 07:47 - How a Rate Rise Affects Your Repayments and Borrowing Power 10:11 - What Chris is Seeing in the Market After the Rate Rise Unlock your Free Resources Download Your Goals & Visions Workbook Mentioned Episodes: Episode 25 | Unlocking Interest Rates and Why They Move Want to keep the conversation going? 👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community 📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored support 📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube firsthomeunlocked.com.au

    15 min

  2. FEB 3

    Episode 29 | Unlocking How to Buy Your First Home in 2026: Part 2

    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 Part 2, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates move into the action phase of the buying journey. This is what happens once you’re pre-approved and ready to start looking at properties. We walk through how to assess asset quality, what to look for at inspections, the due diligence every buyer should be doing, how to structure a strong offer, and what actually happens from formal approval through to settlement. This episode is about slowing things down just enough to make good decisions and move forward with clarity and confidence. In this episode: 🔑 How to assess asset quality and choose the right property 🔑 What to look for at inspections and the due diligence that matters 🔑 How to make a confident offer and protect yourself 🔑 What happens from formal approval through to settlement Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to How to Buy Your First Home (Part 2) 03:27 - Step 6: Asset Quality 14:35 - Step 7: Property Inspections and Due Diligence 28:08 - Step 8: How to Make an Offer 38:42 - Step 9: Formal Approval & Settlement 32:10 - Wrap Up & We Are Here to Help You in 2026 Unlock your Free Resources How to Buy Your First Home Step By Step Resource Download your Asset Quality Checklist Get Your Unlocking Asset Quality Resource Get Your Making An Offer Resource Get Your Settlement Ready Guide Mentioned Episodes: Episode 6 | Unlocking Asset Quality: How to Choose the Right Property as a First Home Buyer Episode 7 | Unlocking Offers: How To Make a Confident Offer as a First Home Buyer Episode 8 | Unlocking Formal Approval & Settlement for First Home Buyers Want to keep the conversation going? 👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community 📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored support 📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube a href="http://firsthomeunlocked.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer"

    45 min

  3. JAN 20

    Episode 28 | Unlocking How to Buy Your First Home in 2026: Part 1

    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 Part 1, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates walk through the preparation phase of buying your first home. This is the groundwork you’ll want to do before inspections or making offers, and it sets you up to move forward with confidence. We cover how to get clear on your goals, understand your upfront costs, choose the right deposit pathway, and organise your pre-approval so you’re ready to begin your property search. In this episode: 🔑 Getting clear on your goals and vision before you buy 🔑 When to speak to a broker and why timing matters 🔑 Understanding the real upfront costs beyond the deposit 🔑 Deposit options and pathways available to first home buyers 🔑 What pre-approval actually means and how to prepare properly Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to How to Buy Your First Home (Part 1) 03:27 - Step 1: Goals and Visions 08:50 - Step 2: Speaking With the Right Broker 13:27 - Step 3: Understanding the Real Costs of Buying Your First Home 22:33 - Step 4: Understanding How Much Deposit You Need 28:02 - Step 5: Get Your Pre-Approval Organised 32:10 - Wrap Up and Looking to Forward to Part 2 Unlock your Free Resources How to Buy Your First Home Step By Step Resource Download Your Goals & Visions Workbook Download Your State by State Stamp Duty Guide for First Home Buyers Get Your Unlocking the Costs to Purchase Your First Home Resource Get Your Unlocking Your Deposit Resource Get Your First Home Guarantee Scheme Resource Mentioned Episodes: Episode 1 | Unlocking Your Property Vision as a First Home Buyer Episode 3 | Unlocking the Real Cost of Buying Your First Home Episode 4 | Unlocking Your Deposit: How Much Do First Home Buyers Really Need? Episode 10 | Unlocking the First Home Guarantee Scheme: Buy Your First Home With 5% Deposit Want to keep the conversation going? 👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community 📅 a href="https://calendly.com/jackelliott-alcove/get-to-know-you?month=2025-05" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    34 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    Episode 27 | Unlocking Our 2025 Lessons & Reflections for First Home Buyers

    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 past year. We talk through what changed in the first home buyer landscape in 2025, including the expansion of the First Home Guarantee (now the 5% Deposit Scheme), and what those changes meant in real life for buyers navigating their first purchase. We also share the common questions buyers asked this year and the decisions that made the biggest difference. Most importantly, this episode is about helping you carry the right lessons into 2026. In this episode: 🔑 What changed for first home buyers in 2025 🔑 The biggest lessons we saw from buyers this year 🔑 The most common questions first home buyers asked in 2025 🔑 What we’re seeing ahead as we look toward 2026 Unlock your Free Resources Street Secrets Podcast Want to keep the conversation going? 👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community 📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored support 📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube firsthomeunlocked.com.au

    20 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    Episode 26 | Unlocking the Federal Government 'Help to Buy' Shared Equity Scheme

    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 between borrowing capacity and the cost of a quality home. But shared equity also comes with rules, restrictions, and long-term trade-offs that need to be understood upfront. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down how the Help to Buy scheme actually works, what it’s like living with shared equity day to day, and how buyers can eventually exit the scheme and regain full ownership. We also share our honest thoughts on when shared equity can make sense and when other pathways may be a better fit. In this episode: 🔑 What shared equity is and how the Help to Buy scheme works 🔑 Who the scheme is designed for and how eligibility works 🔑 What it’s really like living in a shared equity arrangement 🔑 How and when you can exit the scheme and buy back full ownership 🔑 The key trade-offs to consider before choosing shared equity Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to the Help to Buy Scheme 01:59 - What Shared Equity Actually Means 04:13 - How the Help to Buy Scheme Works and Who It’s For 09:40 - What It’s Like Living with the Help to Buy Scheme 14:56 - How to Exit the Scheme and Regain Full Ownership 20:54 - Our Thoughts on Shared Equity and Help to Buy Unlock your Free Resources Unlocking Help to Buy Scheme Resource Help to Buy Scheme Property Price Cap Tool Help to Buy Scheme Fact Sheet Help to Buy Scheme Customer Guide Want to keep the conversation going? 👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community 📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored support 📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube firsthomeunlocked.com.au

    25 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    Episode 25 | Unlocking Interest Rates and Why They Move

    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 actually is, who sets it, and why it changes over time in clear, simple terms. You’ll learn the difference between fixed, variable and split loans, how the RBA and banks each play a role in setting your rate, and why today’s rates feel so different compared to the Covid years.  Most importantly, we talk about how to plan for future rate changes so your repayments stay comfortable and you feel in control of your mortgage. In this episode: 🔑 What an interest rate actually is and how it is charged 🔑 How the RBA cash rate, banks and risk all influence your rate 🔑 How to stress test your numbers and plan for future rate rises 🔑 Why your long term strategy matters more than chasing the lowest rate Timestamps  00:00 - Introduction to Interest Rates 02:12 - What an Interest Rate Actually Is 03:43 - Fixed, Variable and Split Loans Explained 06:38 - Who Sets Your Rate and Why It Changes 12:51 - Interest Rate Trends in The Past  16:09 - How to Plan for Future Rate Movements 19:23 - Why Strategy Matters More Than the Rate 22:39 - Episode Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways Unlock your Free Resources  Unlocking Interest Rates Resource Episode 21 | Unlocking Unlocking How Your Mortgage Actually Works ASX RBA Interest Rate Tracker Want to keep the conversation going?   👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community  📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored support  📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube firsthomeunlocked.com.au

    24 min

  7. 12/02/2025

    Episode 24 | Unlocking Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)

    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%, but not everyone understands what it actually is, why banks charge it, or when paying it can genuinely help you get into the market sooner. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down LMI in simple, practical terms. How it works, how much it costs, and how it fits into today’s first home buyer landscape. You’ll learn the four main pathways that can help you reduce or avoid LMI, plus when paying LMI can actually be a smart move if it helps you buy a quality home earlier. We also talk through real examples, including profession-based waivers, new no-LMI policies, and family guarantor options. In this episode: 🔑 What LMI actually is and why banks charge it 🔑 How LMI affects your borrowing power and interest rate 🔑 The main ways first home buyers can avoid or reduce LMI 🔑 When paying LMI is actually worth it 🔑 How LMI fits into your long-term strategy as a first home buyer Timestamps  00:00 - Introduction to Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)  01:59 - What is LMI?  04:57 - Options for FHB’s to Avoid Paying LMI 15:51 - When Paying LMI is Worth it 19:39 - How LMI is Priced  22:05 - Key Takeaways of LMI  Unlock your Free Resources  Unlocking LMI Resource Want to keep the conversation going?   👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community  📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored support  📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube firsthomeunlocked.com.au

    24 min

  8. 11/25/2025

    Episode 23 | Unlocking Your Loan to Value Ratio (LVR)

    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 actually impacts your interest rate, your approval, or how much flexibility it can open up for your future. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates break down LVR in clear, simple terms, what it is, how it’s calculated, and why it matters so much for your first home strategy. You’ll also learn how LVR works under the First Home Guarantee, what to think about when borrowing at 95% LVR, and how your LVR improves naturally over time as you build equity. In this episode: 🔑 What LVR actually is and how it’s calculated 🔑 Why banks care about LVR and how it affects rates 🔑 How LVR influences lending policy and flexibility 🔑 How LVR works under the First Home Guarantee (5% Deposit Scheme) 🔑 How LVR and equity work together as your loan and property value change Timestamps  00:00 - Introduction to Loan to Value Ratio (LVR 02:04 - What is Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) & Why it Matters?  05:52 - LVR and Lending Policy 08:27 - LVR Under the First Home Guarantee (5% Deposit Scheme) 11:48 - Understanding the Risk of 95 % LVR 12:49 - The Relationship Between LVR and Equity 14:59 - Using LVR to Build Leverage and Flexibility 18:22 - LVR Episode Recap Unlock your Free Resources  Unlocking LVR Resource Episode 6 | Unlocking Asset Quality: How to Choose the Right Property as a First Home Buyer Want to keep the conversation going?   👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community  📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored support  📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube firsthomeunlocked.com.au

    20 min
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About

Buying your first home is a huge milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming, confusing, and full of pressure. First Home Unlocked is here to change that, and to help you reach your first home with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Jack Elliott, National First Home Buyer Specialist at Alcove, and Chris Bates, one of Australia’s top-ranked mortgage brokers, this podcast simplifies the home buying journey and empowers you with the keys to unlock your first home. Each episode is practical, clear, and designed specifically for first home buyers. From understanding the buying process to choosing a property that fits your long-term vision, Jack and Chris will guide you through every step with real conversations and expert support. You’re not in this alone. Hit subscribe and let’s unlock your first home together.

Information

  • Creator
    Jack Elliott
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jack Elliott
  • Show Website
    First Home Unlocked