First home buyers are finally getting a bit more breathing room, but that does not mean every scheme is a green light. In this Australian Property Podcast episode, Chris Bates sits down with Jack Elliott, National First Home Buyer Specialist at Alcove, to unpack what changed after the Budget and how buyers should think about grants, guarantees and shared-equity options in 2026.
Jack explains why some first home buyers are seeing less competition at opens and auctions, how changes to investor borrowing power may be shifting the market, and why waiting for the perfect headline can be just as risky as rushing in too early. The bigger question, according to Jack, is whether you are actually ready: know your numbers, stress-test your budget, understand your pathway and buy with the next five to ten years in mind.
They also break down the main paths into the market, including the 5% deposit scheme, LMI waivers for certain professions, guarantor loans, Help to Buy, and gifted money. Plus, they cover what to watch with stamp duty concessions and the First Home Owner Grant, and the trap of letting a short-term incentive drive a long-term property decision.
If you are trying to work out whether to buy now, which scheme fits your situation, or how to avoid the biggest first-home-buyer mistakes, this episode is for you.
