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First Home Buyers: Buy Now or Wait? Navigating the New Home Guarantee
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Episode Title: First Home Buyers: Buy Now or Wait? Navigating the New Home Guarantee
In this candid instalment of TFS WealthCast, Vishi grills CEO Pramu Rodrigo on the sweeping changes to Australia’s Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS) and how first‑home buyers can navigate a rapidly shifting market. Together they break down the October 2025 overhaul unlimited places and the abolition of income caps and unpack the new purchase price thresholds that better reflect real housing costs: up to $1.5 m in Sydney, $950 k in Melbourne, $1 m in Brisbane, $900 k in Adelaide, $850 k in Perth, and $700 k in Hobart.
Pramu explains why these higher caps, combined with the existing 5 % deposit requirement (2 % for single parents) and removal of lenders‑mortgage‑insurance costs, make the scheme more accessible than ever.
Vishi pushes back on whether the scheme will inflate prices; Pramu argues that waiting for a crash is a losing strategy and urges buyers to budget wisely and act.
He shares his “20/80” rule save at least 20 % of income and keep mortgage payments within 40–45 % of expenses to avoid overstretching. They discuss how to assess affordability using a higher interest‑rate buffer (5.29–5.50 %) despite current rate cuts, and caution that bigger loans may mean losing the state’s first‑home‑owner grant above $750k. The conversation also tackles the importance of on‑the‑ground research (driving through target suburbs, checking recent sales data) and warns against comparing your situation to friends’ bigger homes.
Looking forward, Pramu notes that easier access to finance could spur demand and push spring‑season prices higher—echoing concerns raised by market analysts. He emphasises that lenders will still apply strict serviceability checks despite the government guarantee, and encourages buyers to maintain strong savings habits, stable employment and good credit.
They close by outlining the paperwork needed for an HGS application—proof of citizenship or permanent residency, an ATO Notice of Assessment and a signed statutory declaration and urge listeners to get pre‑approved before the market heats up.
This episode blends policy analysis, market commentary and real‑life budgeting advice to give first‑home buyers a roadmap for deciding whether to buy now or wait.
For more information on the Home Guarantee Scheme visit: housingaustralia.gov.au
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