Finding Confidence as a First Home Buyer
As part of my work in property, I also volunteer with Head Start Homes, a not-for-profit that helps Australians, including single parents and people in community housing, buy their first home. The program focuses on removing barriers to ownership and providing practical support throughout the process.
In that role, I work with clients as both a buyer’s agent and property coach, guiding them through each stage of the search and purchase.
Recently, I supported a first home buyer who was ready to purchase her own place but wasn’t sure where to start. Like many first-time buyers, she knew what property she wanted but needed help understanding how to assess properties properly and what to look out for.
Understanding the Search
We began by talking through what mattered most to her: lifestyle, affordability, and areas that could offer a good long-term fit.
She’d already been exploring a few suburbs, but after looking at recent sales and local trends, it became clear that some areas didn’t align with her budget or priorities. We focused instead on locations that offered the right balance between transport, safety, and community feel.
As we reviewed properties, I helped her compare layouts, features, and surroundings to see which homes genuinely suited her needs. That process of narrowing down helped her feel clear about what was worth pursuing.
Speaking With Agents
Once we knew which areas and properties were worth focusing on, the next step was speaking with real estate agents.
In my coaching service with Head Start Homes, clients can choose how involved they want to be in these conversations. Some prefer that I handle all contact with agents directly, while others want to manage the discussions themselves with coaching support in the background.
In her case, she wanted to speak with the agents while using me as a sounding board along the way. After each call or inspection, we’d debrief on what was discussed, how the property was being represented, what might sit behind the agent’s comments, and what to clarify next time.
That structure gave her space to build confidence while knowing she had guidance when she needed it.
Asking Better Questions
Most first home buyers don’t realise how much they can learn from a short conversation with an agent.
Together, we developed a few key questions that helped her gather useful information. Things like price expectations and the level of competition.
She became more confident speaking with agents and learned how to keep those interactions focused and productive.
Inspecting Properties
It’s easy to focus on styling or presentation and overlook how well a property suits your needs.
We discussed how to approach inspections objectively: paying attention to the layout, natural light, and functionality of the home, and taking time to consider how it would work day to day.
This helped her stay focused on suitability rather than surface impressions.
Due Diligence
After several inspections, she shortlisted a couple of properties that felt right, and we moved into the due diligence stage.
Part of my role as a coach was helping her understand what to expect during this phase and how to communicate with the inspectors. We went through what questions to ask the building and pest inspector, things like clarifying the scope of the inspection, understanding the next steps if issues were identified, and when to seek further specialist advice.
This approach helped her stay organised and confident throughout the process, while leaving the technical details to the qualified experts involved.
It also reinforced that due diligence is about being informed, asking the right questions, and knowing when to pause for further information.
Finding the Right Fit
By this point, she knew what kind of property suited her, how to evaluate it, and when to move forward.
When the right opportunity came up, she was ready. The home met her needs, aligned with her budget, and felt like the right place to begin this next stage of her life. It was a huge milestone, stepping into home ownership on her own terms and with full confidence in the decision.
Working With Head Start Homes
My ongoing work with Head Start Homes allows me to support people who are buying for the first time and might not otherwise have access to professional guidance.