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. 4d ago

    46 - How to Make an Offer and Negotiate with Agents: A First Home Buyer's Guide

    Making an offer is where a lot of first home buyers get stuck. How do you make an offer? How much do you offer? What do you say to the agent? Nobody explains the process, and once you're in it, things move quickly and the pressure builds. In this episode, Jack sits down with buyers agents Veronica Morgan and Meighan Wells to walk through the offer process for a private sale, from preparation through to negotiation. They cover what to have sorted first, including why your conveyancer needs to see the contract before you offer rather than after, and when an offer actually becomes binding, because it's not the moment the agent says yes. Veronica and Meighan also break down everything an offer contains beyond the price, from the deposit and settlement terms to inclusions, and how a lower offer with the right terms can beat a higher one. And they get into how agents run a negotiation, the questions to ask along the way, and what to say when you're asked whether you can go higher. Whether you're making an offer this weekend, still working out what you can afford, or somewhere in between, understanding the process is what helps you make confident decisions when you start offering and negotiating. In this episode: 🔑 What to have organised before you make an offer 🔑 The questions to ask an agent about their offer process 🔑 When an offer actually becomes binding, and why it changes state to state 🔑 What makes up an offer beyond the price 🔑 When an unconditional offer makes sense, and the finance risks to check with your broker 🔑 What to say when an agent asks if you can go higher Timestamps 00:00 - How to Make an Offer in a Private Sale 02:42 - What to Organise Before You Make an Offer 06:54 - How to Choose a Conveyancer or Solicitor 11:50 - What to Ask a Real Estate Agent Before Offering 15:55 - When Does an Offer Become Binding? 22:10 - How Much Deposit Do You Need to Pay? 25:05 - Unconditional Offers and the Finance Risks 30:07 - What's Included When You Buy a Property? 34:38 - Real Estate Agent Tactics and How to Respond 37:24 - How to Talk to an Agent During a Negotiation 41:15 - How to Work Out What a Property Is Worth 42:45 - Why an Offer Is Never Just a Number Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack, mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. More about Home Buyer Academy Home Buyer Academy First Home Buyer Course Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast First Home Unlocked listeners get 50% off the First Home Buyer Course and access to the weekly Campfire sessions when they work with Jack as their mortgage broker. Connect with Veronica Good Deeds Property Buyers Veronica's LinkedIn Connect with Meighan Property Pursuit Meighan's LinkedIn Mentioned Episodes Episode 45: Inspections and Due Diligence: What to Check Before You Buy Your First Home 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

  2. Aug 25

    45 - Inspections and Due Diligence: What to Check Before You Buy Your First Home

    Most first home buyers walk into an open home already at a disadvantage. The styling is there to make you feel something, the agent is warm, and everything on show has been prepared by people who do this professionally. That's not a failure of judgement, it's a sales process working exactly as intended. What happens between that first inspection and signing a contract is where the real work sits, and it's the part almost nobody explains. Jack is joined again by buyers agents Veronica Morgan and Meighan Wells to walk through the checks that happen once you've found a property you're serious about. They cover what to assess at an inspection beyond the presentation, why a second look reveals things the first one never will, and what a building and pest inspection actually covers. They also get into the due diligence that has nothing to do with the building itself, from council approvals and zoning to what could be built behind your back fence, and the strata report checks that come with buying an apartment or townhouse. Whether you're already spending your Saturdays at open homes or still working out where to start, this is the stage where the right questions save you the most money. In this episode: 🔑 What to actually assess at an inspection once you look past the styling 🔑 What a building and pest inspection covers, and what it doesn't 🔑 Why the agent's report may not be working in your interest 🔑 The council, zoning and strata report checks that go beyond the property itself 🔑 How to weigh up what comes back and decide whether to proceed or walk away Timestamps 00:00 - What to Check Before You Buy a Property 05:36 - How to Look Past the Styling at an Open Home 08:27 - What to Check at an Open Home 11:43 - What Is a Building and Pest Inspection? 15:09 - Why the Agent's Building Report Isn't Enough 20:26 - When Should You Book a Building and Pest? 23:24 - How to Check Council Records and Zoning 27:11 - What to Check Before Buying an Apartment 31:37 - Should You Proceed or Walk Away? 35:42 - When Not to Walk Away From a Property 38:20 - Where to Find Veronica and Meighan Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack, mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. More about Home Buyer Academy HBA First Home Buyer Course (Access for discounted price if you work with Jack as your mortgage broker - start here) Home Buyer Academy Website How to Price a Property Mini Course Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast Connect with Veronica Veronica Morgan Website Good Deeds Property Buyers Veronica's LinkedIn Connect with Meighan Property Pursuit Website Meighan's LinkedIn 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

  3. Aug 11

    44 - Price Guides, Off Market and Agents: How to Search for Your First Home

    You open the apps, set up a few alerts, and start going to inspections. A few months in, nothing is working, everything sells for well above what the guide said, and you're starting to wonder how anyone is affording it. Veronica Morgan and Meighan Wells see this constantly, and they say the frustration is almost always because of a search that was set up the wrong way from day one. In this episode, Jack sits down with Veronica and Meighan to work through the search phase properly. We talk about pressure testing your non-negotiables against what your budget will actually deliver, why the same feature can be a deal breaker in one suburb and negotiable in the next, and what separates a genuine off-market property from a pre-market one. Veronica and Meighan also explain why agents almost universally quote low, how to build your own view of what a property is worth using comparable sales, and how to work with selling agents so you become the buyer they call first. Whether you're inspecting every weekend, still working out where your budget actually stretches to, or just getting your head around how the process works, this episode will change how you approach your search. In this episode: 🔑 What to sort out before you start looking, and why it saves months 🔑 How to pressure test your non-negotiables against what your budget will actually buy 🔑 The difference between off-market and pre-market, and why neither guarantees a good deal 🔑 How to read a price guide, and why agents quote low on purpose 🔑 How to build a relationship with a selling agent so you become the first call Timestamps 00:00 - Why Most Property Searches Go Wrong 03:34 - Non-Negotiables vs What Your Budget Will Buy 07:00 - How to Set Up Your Property Search 09:50 - Which Property Search Websites to Use 12:02 - Off-Market vs Pre-Market Property Explained 16:20 - Is an Off-Market Property a Good Deal? 17:48 - How to Read a Price Guide and Why It's Low 23:45 - How to Use Comparable Sales to Value a Property 28:48 - How to Deal With Real Estate Agents 32:25 - Mistakes First Home Buyers Make With Agents 35:38 - Home Buyer Academy Course and Campfire Sessions Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack, mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. Free Resources Download the Goals and Vision Workbook More about Home Buyer Academy HBA First Home Buyer Course (Access for discounted price if you work with Jack as your mortgage broker - start here) Home Buyer Academy Website Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast Connect with Veronica Veronica's Website Good Deeds Property Buyers Veronica's LinkedIn Connect with Meighan Property Pursuit Website Meighan's LinkedIn Mentioned Episodes Episode 1: Unlocking Your Goals and Vision Episode 41: Unlocking Buyers Agents: What First Home Buyers Need to Know Episode 42: How to Choose a Quality First Home: A Buyers Agent's Checklist 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

  4. Jul 28

    43 - Market Update: 5% Deposit Scheme Changes and How to Get Spring Ready

    There's a lot of noise in the market right now. The federal budget changes are locked in, the media coverage has turned negative, and first home buyer loan applications have actually dropped rather than risen. If you're planning to buy your first home, it's hard to know what any of that means for you. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates give a market update on where things really stand post-budget, and why a nervous market can work in a first home buyer's favour. They also run through the three changes that came into effect on 1 July under the First Home 5% Deposit Scheme: higher property price caps in some areas, easier refinancing rules, and a new cap on how much you can retain in savings after settlement. Jack shares a client situation from last week showing how the retained savings change plays out in practice, and why the answer depends on both the scheme rules and the lender you choose. Then there's what you can actually control. Spring listings are coming, and the buyers with a plan in place can act straight away while the ones starting from scratch are weeks behind before they've even inspected a property. In this episode: 🔑 What's really happening in the market now the budget changes are locked in 🔑 The new price caps and which regional areas can now access the higher $1.5 million cap 🔑 What changed with refinancing under the scheme and why the switch is now easier 🔑 The new cap on retained savings, and why each lender sets its own limit underneath it 🔑 The five step roadmap to get yourself spring ready before listings pick up Timestamps 00:00 - Where the Market Really Sits Post Budget 05:44 - What Investors Are Doing and What It Means for You 07:29 - Is It Actually a Good Time to Buy? 09:57 - What Changed on 1 July: The New Price Caps 12:43 - Refinancing Under the 5% Deposit Scheme 13:45 - Retained Savings: The New Cap and a Client Example 17:10 - Why Lender Choice Matters More Than the Cheapest Rate 18:39 - The Five Step Roadmap to Get Spring Ready 24:51 - Why is it Important to Get Spring Ready? 26:45 - Final Thoughts and Wrap Up Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack, mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. Free Resources Goals & Visions Workbook Mentioned Episodes Episode 1: Unlocking Your Goals and Vision Episode 6: Unlocking Asset Quality Episode 10: Unlocking the 5% Deposit Scheme Episode 37: Unlocking the 2026 Federal Budget Episode 39: Unlocking the Real Risk of Buying with a 5% Deposit and How to Protect Yourself Episode 41: Unlocking Buyers Agents: What First Home Buyers Need to Know Episode 42: How to Choose a Quality First Home: A Buyers Agent's Checklist 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

  5. Jul 21

    42 - How to Choose a Quality First Home: A Buyers Agent's Checklist

    We talk about asset quality constantly on this podcast because it's one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a first home buyer. But understanding why it matters and actually knowing how to assess a property in the real world are two different things. That's why Meighan Wells, a buyers agent with over 22 years of experience and founder of Property Pursuit Advisors, is here to break down exactly what asset quality looks like. Your first home isn't just somewhere to live, it's the foundation of your future wealth. In this episode, Meighan walks through why getting this right matters so much for first home buyers, how scarcity, supply, and demand shape long-term growth, and the fundamentals to look for at a suburb level. We also go into what actually makes a good street, a good block of land, and a good property, plus what to look out for on your inspections and the common mistakes first home buyers make that can really cost them down the track. This is a really important episode in understanding what quality actually looks like at each level, from suburb to street to property, is what separates first home buyers who move forward confidently from those who end up making costly mistakes. In this episode: 🔑 Why asset quality matters so much for first home buyers 🔑 How scarcity, supply, and demand shape long-term growth 🔑 What to look for when assessing a suburb 🔑 What makes a good street, block, and property 🔑 What to look out for on inspections and the mistakes to avoid Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing Meighan Wells 01:31 - Meighan's Story: Background and Passion for First Home Buyers 04:12 - Why Asset Quality Matters 05:57 - Scarcity, Supply, and Demand Explained 07:42 - Strategy First, Not Apps 11:08 - What to Consider at Suburb Level 14:02 - Assessing at Street Level 17:45 - What to Look For When Inspecting 26:53 - Aspect and Orientation: What's Ideal 31:04 - Common Mistakes First Home Buyers Make 35:53 - The "Any Property Is Better" Myth 37:42 - What Makes a Good Apartment 40:41 - Townhouses: What to consider? 42:13 - How to Choose between Apartments vs Townhouses vs Houses 46:21 - The Revise and Correct Step 48:54 - What About New Builds? 51:35 - Final Asset Quality Tips 55:06 - Home Buyer Academy and Campfire Sessions 59:04 - Where to Find Megan and Property Pursuit Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. Free Resources How To Choose A Quality First Home In Australia Resource More about Home Buyer Academy HBA First Home Buyer Course (Access for discounted price if you work with Jack as your mortgage broker - start here) Home Buyer Academy Website Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast Connect with Meighan Property Pursuit Website Meighan's Linkedin Mentioned Episodes Episode 6: Unlocking Asset Quality Want to keep the conversation going? 👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community 📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored mortgage support 📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube firsthomeunlocked.com.au

  6. Jul 7

    41 - Unlocking Buyers Agents: What First Home Buyers Need to Know

    We've talked a lot on this podcast about getting your finance sorted, but as we always say, the most important decision you'll make is the actual property you purchase. That's why we're kicking off a six-part series with two of Australia's most experienced buyers agents, Veronica Morgan and Meighan Wells from the Home Buyer Academy. Not every first home buyer knows what a buyers agent actually does or whether it's the right fit for them. In this episode, Jack sits down with Veronica to walk through what buyers agents do, how they differ from sales agents, the different ways you can engage one, and what it costs. We also explore the red flags to watch for and the key questions to ask before you commit. If a full buyers agent service isn't within reach right now, Veronica and Meighan have also created a First Home Buyer Course and weekly Campfire sessions that bring you access to expert guidance at a lower price point. In this episode: 🔑 What a buyers agent actually does and how they're different from a sales agent 🔑 The three service tiers available and what each typically costs 🔑 When it makes sense to use a buyers agent 🔑 The red flags to watch out for and the questions to ask before engaging one 🔑 How the Home Buyer Academy course and Campfire sessions support first home buyers Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing Veronica Morgan 02:21 - Why She's Passionate About First Home Buyers 04:29 - Today's Topic and Special Offer 04:58 - Buyer's Agent vs Sales Agent 06:37 - Service Tiers: What's Available 07:19 - How Much Does a Buyer's Agent Cost? 08:22 - Why Cheap Buyer's Agents Aren't Worth It 09:52 - Red Flags to Watch Out For 12:54 - Questions to Ask Before You Commit 14:47 - Is the Cost Actually Worth It? 17:02 - The Emotional Side of Home Buying 19:54 - When Should You Engage a Buyer's Agent? 22:43 - Can't Afford a Buyer's Agent? Your Options 23:59 - The Home Buyer Academy and Campfire Sessions 29:16 - What's Next in the Series Ready to start your own first home journey? Book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack mortgage broker and National First Home Buyer Specialist. Free Resources Do You Need a Buyers Agent: First Home Buyer Guide More about Home Buyer Academy HBA First Home Buyer Course (Access for discounted price if you work with Jack as your mortgage broker - start here) Home Buyer Academy Website Your First Home Buyer Guide Podcast Connect with Veronica Veronica's Website Good Deeds Property Buyers Website Veronica's Linkedin Find Out More About Alcove’s Trusted Buyers Agents Street Secrets Podcast Alcove Trusted Buyers Agent Map Want to keep the conversation going? 👉 Join the First Home Unlocked Facebook Community 📅 Book a chat with Jack for tailored mortgage support 📱Follow Us on social media: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube firsthomeunlocked.com.au

  7. Jun 23

    40 - Unlocking Who Buys It From You Next: How the Budget Changed Buyer Pools

    If you listened to Episode 37, you heard about the federal budget changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. But there's a conversation we kept coming back to that deserves its own episode. It's not just about what you buy today, it's about who's going to buy it from you in the future. Since that episode, Chris has written a full report exploring exactly that question. It's called "Who Buys It From You Next?" and it looks at how the budget has reshaped buyer pools across different property types and what that means for the long-term value of what you buy today. In this episode, Jack interviews Chris about that report because there's some really important thinking here that every first home buyer needs to hear before they make a property decision. We cover how investors made up around 40% of all new home loans before the budget and why they've now stepped back from the established market. We talk about why grandfathering protects the current owner's tax position but not the next buyer and most importantly, we walk through the six practical tests from Chris's report that you can use to stress test any property before you commit. In this episode: 🔑 Why "who buys it from you next" is the question most people never ask 🔑 How the budget has changed buyer pools for established properties 🔑 Why properties driven by investor demand are now at risk 🔑 What properties with genuine owner-occupier demand actually look like 🔑 The six tests to stress test a property before you buy Timestamps 00:00 - Who Will Buy It From You Next? 02:48 - The Key Question When You're Buying 06:58 - Investor Activity and What It Means Post Budget 10:37 - When Investors Are Your Buyer Pool 16:22 - When Families and Owner-Occupiers Drive the Market 18:45 - The Six Tests for Property Assessment Free Resources Chris Report: Who Buys it From You Next Mentioned Episodes: Episode 6 | Unlocking Asset Quality: How to Choose the Right Property as a First Home Buyer Episode 37: Unlocking the 2026 Federal Budget 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

  8. Jun 9

    39 - Unlocking the Real Risk of Buying with a 5% Deposit and How to Protect Yourself

    If you've been reading the news or scrolling through social media this week, you've probably seen some headlines about first home buyers using the 5% deposit scheme and something called negative equity. There is a real risk worth understanding. But for every first home buyer using this scheme, there's a clear strategy that goes with it. In this episode, Jack Elliott and Chris Bates address the headlines and talk through what negative equity actually is, when it really matters, and most importantly, how you protect yourself whether you're still planning to buy or you've already purchased using the scheme. We cover the five key things you can do to protect yourself going in, from knowing your numbers before you borrow to building your emergency fund, choosing quality assets, and getting your income protection sorted. In this episode: 🔑 What the headlines are actually saying about negative equity 🔑 What negative equity really is and when it matters 🔑 How to work out what you can genuinely afford before you borrow 🔑 Why building your emergency fund is critical with a 5% deposit 🔑 The importance of asset quality and protecting your income 🔑 What to do if you've already bought and are feeling anxious If you're planning to buy using the 5% deposit scheme and want to talk through your numbers, book a Get to Know You Chat with Jack. Timestamps 00:00 - Should We Be Worried About the 5% Deposit Scheme? 01:54 - What Headlines and Bank Economists Are Actually Saying 03:52 - What Is Negative Equity and the Risk? 06:53 - How to Protect Yourself as a First Home Buyer 07:05 - #1 Do the Work on Your Numbers Before You Borrow 10:18 - #2 Build Your Emergency Fund 13:19 - #3 Know Your Goals and Play for the Long Term 15:38 - #4 Do the Work on Asset Quality 17:31 - #5 Get Insurance and Income Protection in Place 20:28 - If You Lose Your Job 21:46 - If You've Already Bought Using the Scheme Budgeting tools Sort Your Money Out Spending PlanPivot Wealth Savings Planner Moneysmart Budget Planner Resources Goals & Visions WorkbookAsset Quality ChecklistDownload Your How to Protect Yourself When Using the 5% Deposit Scheme Resource Mentioned Episodes Episode 1: Unlocking Your Goals and VisionEpisode 6: Unlocking Asset QualityEpisode 23: Unlocking Loan to Value RatioEpisode 25: Unlocking Interest Rates and Why They MoveEpisode 31: Unlocking Offset AccountsEpisode 37: Unlocking the 2026 Federal Budget 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

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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
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jack Elliott
  • Show Website
    First Home Unlocked

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