First Home Buyer Guide Australia: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy | with Paula Abbott

Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. Most people walk into it significantly underprepared — and it costs them. In this episode of In The Trenches, Hanif Ibrahim sits down with Paula Abbott, an experienced mortgage broker, for a practical, honest guide to everything first home buyers need to understand before they start searching. This isn't a theoretical overview of the process. It's a straight-talking conversation about the real traps, the things agents and banks don't always tell you, and how to approach the biggest purchase of your life with your eyes open. What Paula covers: - How much deposit do you actually need — and what counts toward it - The real cost of buying: stamp duty, legal fees, inspections, and the surprises - Government grants and schemes available to first home buyers right now - How lenders actually assess your borrowing capacity (and what kills your application) - The difference between pre-approval and full approval — and why it matters - How to choose the right loan structure for your situation - Common first home buyer mistakes and how to avoid every one of them - What to ask your mortgage broker that most people never think to ask If you're planning to buy your first home in the next 12 months — this episode is essential. Brought to you by The Finance Agency — salary-paid mortgage brokers helping first home buyers navigate the process properly. financeagency.com.au #FirstHomeBuyer #HomeLoans #MortgageBroker #PropertyAustralia #BusinessPodcast #InTheTrenches #FirstHomeOwner #PropertyInvestment #HomeOwnership