At the Home Buyer Head Start Series in Manor Lakes, comedian and former PwC tax consultant Nazeem Hussain shared practical advice from his own journey into the property market.

“What's scarier is living month to month in someone else's home. What's scarier is not having an asset under your feet,” said Nazeem.

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, but with the right advice and support, it’s more achievable than many realise.

Nazeem offered insights that can apply to many people in the market for a home, especially first-home buyers navigating the process for the first time.

You don’t need to be rich, a financial expert, or have it all figured out. Just having the right people around you and a strategy can make a big difference.

Surround Yourself with the Right People

Buying a home isn’t something you need to do alone – and it shouldn’t be. Build a support team of qualified, trustworthy professionals to help you make smart decisions.

“If you've got a problem with your car, you go to a mechanic – you don’t try to fix it yourself. That’s what rich people do with money. They’re often dumb, but they just know to have smarter people around them.”

“Three key professionals every homebuyer should have on their team: a financial planner, a mortgage broker, and a real estate agent.”

Get a Financial Planner

A licensed financial adviser can make all the difference when it comes to saving effectively and mapping out a realistic timeline toward home ownership.

“Financial planners are like your money GPS. They look at where you are now and map out the smartest way to get to your goal,” Nazeem said.

These professionals do more than crunch numbers – they help you create a personalised plan that fits your lifestyle and keeps you accountable. Check the ASIC Financial Adviser Register to ensure your planner is properly licensed and, preferably, independent.

Work With a Mortgage Broker

The most valuable person in Nazeem’s homebuying journey was his mortgage broker – someone who helped him cut through the complexity and paperwork to find the right loan.

“There are so many products out there. It’s honestly more and more complicated. Mortgage brokers do the heavy lifting and boring paperwork – and they get you to home ownership quicker.”

A good broker will compare multiple lenders, assess your serviceability, and help you find the most competitive deal based on your circumstances.

Talk to a Real Estate Agent Early

Too many people leave speaking to a real estate agent until they’ve saved their deposit, but Nazeem recommends getting them involved from the start.

“They help you filter out the noise and show you homes that fit your budget and lifestyle. A good agent can save you that shock when you realise what you thought you could afford doesn’t quite match reality.”

Real estate agents can also advise you on which suburbs are growing, where you’re likely to see your investment increase, and how to navigate the often-daunting contract process.

Saving Is Psychological, Not Just Financial

Nazeem, who grew up in a single-parent household and started out as a comedian paid in drink vouchers and cash, was quick to challenge the myth that you need a huge income to start saving.

“Saving is not about how much you’re making. It’s about what you’re doing with it and the decisions you’re making emotionally.”

He highlighted two key strategies: automate your savings and reduce impulse spending. Automating transfers into a separate savings account helps remove the decision-making friction – and increases consistency.

“Future you is not always a reliable person to make the right decision, so just automate it today.”

To avoid unnecessary spending, build a delay into your purchasing decisions. Leave your wallet in the car when you go shopping. By the time you get back to the car, according to a study Nazeem cited, seven out of ten times you won’t even want the item anymore.

You Don’t Need a Huge Deposit to Get Started

Many potential buyers assume they need a six-figure deposit before they can think about entering the market – but Hussain says that mindset can hold people back.

“There are so many first home buyer programs designed with this in mind. A big deposit is beneficial, but not always necessary. It can actually slow you down.”

He also pointed out that if you’re already paying rent, you’ve likely demonstrated an ability to service a mortgage.

“In many cases, your mortgage repayment is probably the same or less than what you’re paying in rent – except you’re paying off your own future, not someone else’s.”

Hussain described buying property as the single most transformational financial decision in his life.

“It wasn’t just about owning a house. It was the end of walking on eggshells in someone else’s home. That feeling of security, of owning your space, is indescribable.”

He bought his first property in Noble Park for $345,000 after saving $20,000 for a deposit. Even though the house needed repairs, and he couldn't afford to live there initially, it gave him a foothold in the market.

“It wasn’t a forever home, but it was a stepping stone. I lived with my mum while tenants paid rent. Now I’ve repaired it, and I never want to let it go.”

The advice, opinions and insights of this article are general in nature. This article does not take into account your personal financial circumstances or objectives and may not always be entirely accurate, complete or current. We recommend speaking to a financial advisor or mortgage broker before making any financing decisions with respect to your existing home loan or any new home loan.