02/11/2026
First homes come with more moving parts than most people expect, and that's completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed by.
The deposit gets most of the attention, but there's also the 5% Deposit Scheme, which some buyers can use to get in sooner, though eligibility criteria apply and it's worth checking rather than assuming. There's LMI, which can apply when your deposit is under a certain size. And guarantors, which some families use as another way in.
Beyond that, there are costs that catch people off guard. Stamp duty in some cases, legal fees, inspections, and the simple cost of moving. Good to know about early rather than discovering them along the way.
You don't have to work any of this out alone. A broker can look at your situation and tell you exactly what applies.
Sometimes all it takes is one honest conversation to see what's actually possible.