How Preparation Helped Katya Secure Her First Home (Case Study)

**What happens when you realise you may be able to buy your first home years earlier than you thought?** For Katya, the journey started with an assumption that she needed a 20% deposit. After looking more closely at her finances and learning about the 5% deposit scheme, she and her partner realised buying could be possible sooner than expected. In this episode, Katya shares her journey from having no idea how to buy a property to purchasing an apartment in Ryde, Sydney. We talk about saving, borrowing capacity, learning through the the First Home Buyer Course and Campfire sessions, and how her initial ideas about buying an investment property quickly changed once she understood the numbers. Katya also explains how she assessed apartments in a suburb with plenty of competing stock, why outlook, natural light, privacy and scarcity became important factors, and how she used research to identify an apartment with characteristics that were difficult to replicate. We also follow the buying process, from inspecting a tenanted property to working out what to offer and negotiating a private treaty sale. If you’re wondering whether buying your first home is possible, or you’re not sure how to turn your savings into a clear buying strategy, Katya’s story offers a practical look at what can happen when you stop guessing and start learning the process. ## Episode Highlights 01:05 – From Wild Property Ideas to Buying a First Home 07:05 – From Podcast Listening to a Clear Buying Process 10:19 – How Katya Spotted a Rare Apartment Worth Buying 13:21 – How One Partner Took the Lead on Property Research 15:37 – Why Some Properties Look Better Online Than In Person 20:49 – Why You Should Never Buy an Apartment From a Floor Plan 25:37 – Buying the Home Today With a Bigger Plan for Tomorrow 27:34 – Katya’s Advice for Anyone Thinking About Buying 30:36 – A First Home, New Floors and What Comes Next ## Course Details: - **THE First Home Buyer Course is our Step-By-Step, No BS Guide to Every Stage of The Home Buying Process –** It’s the next best thing to having your own buyer’s agent. With our expert guidance, you’ll know what to do at every step along the way. Become a home owner faster and easier. Click here: https://homebuyeracademy.com.au/YFHBG If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey! - Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstHomeBuyerCourse - Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/your-first-home-buyer-guide-podcast/id1544701825 - Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GyrfXoqvDxjqNRv40NVQs?si=7c8bc4362fab421f