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First Homebuyer Update: What’s Changed & How to Navigate Buying Your First Home in Perth

ByBase Home Loans


Buying your first home is exciting and also a massive decision. At Base Home Loans, we’re here to guide first homebuyer in Perth every step of the way: from understanding the rules, choosing the right area and property type, to assessing your future plans and structuring a loan that works. In this update we’ll run through the latest government changes to the home-buyer schemes, what this means for you in 2025/26, and key insights specific to the Perth market: which suburbs to watch, how to think about affordability vs. growth potential, and how we can help you as your independent mortgage broker.

1. What’s changed: Government Support for First Home Buyers

The good news: the federal government has expanded the Home Guarantee Scheme (sometimes called the First Home Guarantee) with major updates from 1 October 2025. These include:

  • Unlimited places for the Scheme (no cap on the number of buyers) rather than a fixed quota. (Housing Australia)
  • Increased property price caps so you can access the Scheme on higher-price homes in your region. For example, in WA capital city areas the cap has risen. (Housing Australia)
  • The Scheme still allows eligible first-home buyers to purchase with a 5 % deposit and avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), with the government acting as guarantor for the remainder of the 20 % deposit. (MyBudget Australia)
  • Income and regional/place eligibility rules have been relaxed or removed in many cases. (ABC)

What this means for you:
If you’re a first home buyer in Perth, these changes may make it easier to get into the market sooner. The deposit barrier is lower, the pool of places is wider, and higher-priced properties can now qualify. But it’s still essential to check your borrowing capacity, understand the ongoing costs (especially given market competition), and choose the right property type and area that aligns with your long-term goals.

2. Our Role as Your Independent Perth Mortgage Broker

As an independent mortgage broker in Perth, Base Home Loans acts in your best interests. We are not tied to one lender or product. Here’s how we help first-home buyers:

  • We can help you narrow down the suburbs and property types that align with your budget, lifestyle and future plans (e.g., staying long-term vs using the property as a stepping-stone).
  • We clarify the loan options, including deposit size, repayment structure, possible interest rates, and any special home-buyer incentives/schemes.
  • We coordinate the whole process: from pre-approval, choosing the right property, navigating inspections, valuations, through to settlement.
  • We keep you informed about market conditions, such as the Perth property market trends, to help you buy with confidence and avoid surprises.

Because we’re independent, we can compare across many lenders to find the loan structure that best suits your situation (current income, future plans, serviceability under stress-tests etc). We’re committed to helping first home buyers in Perth make informed decisions.

3. Property Type & Future-Plans: What Should You Ask Yourself?

Before you start house-hunting, it’s worth thinking through:

  • How long do you plan to live in the home? Are you buying to stay long-term and pay off the mortgage over time or are you aiming for a shorter-term entry (a stepping-stone) to upgrade later?
  • What property type suits your lifestyle now and in the future? E.g., house vs townhouse vs apartment. If you think you’ll start a family or need space to work from home, a house might better suit you. If you prioritise location/amenities and minimal maintenance, a townhouse or unit might be appropriate.
  • Which suburb fits your budget, lifestyle and growth aspirations? If your budget is tight, you may choose a more affordable suburb now and upgrade later; or you might select a suburb with good infrastructure or growth potential to maximise your investment.
  • What are the ongoing costs and servicing capacity? Beyond the deposit: what are the repayments, expected rate rises, maintenance, strata fees (for units/townhouses) and how will you handle unexpected costs? Our broker team will help you model these scenarios.

By working through these questions early, together with us, you’ll be better placed to act quickly and with confidence when the right property appears.

4. Perth Market Snapshot & Suburb-Selection Tips for First Home Buyers

Perth’s market is strong: The Perth property market in 2025 is showing resilience, strong demand and limited supply. (Australian Residential Property Planners) While affordability remains better compared to Sydney/Melbourne, first-home buyers still face competition and price rises. (Realestate)

Suburb selection matters:
Here are some tip-areas and considerations for first-home buyers in Perth:

  • Affordability + growth corridors: Look beyond inner suburbs to outer or growth-corridor suburbs that have good infrastructure plans, transport links, schools and lifestyle amenity but lower entry price. (zirconliving.com.au)
  • Lifestyle + infrastructure: Suburbs with upcoming infrastructure (transport, schooling, amenities) often deliver better long-term value.
  • Rental demand & resale potential: If you choose to move later or rent out, ask: will this area be desirable? Are there tight vacancy rates or growing population there (which in Perth’s case many outer suburbs are). (Broker News)
  • Avoid premium-only suburbs if budget is tight: While prestige suburbs can perform well, they may be out of reach for first-homes and may involve higher risk if interest rates rise or income changes.

Examples: Some suburbs flagged for first-home buyers in Perth include those in growth-corridor zones, outer-metro areas where you can get more value for money. Look at areas like Baldivis, Ellenbrook, Byford, Alkimos and Wellard.

In short start with your budget, focus on key features (amenity, transport, schools, growth potential), and talk through with us your best fit between entry-price, lifestyle and future flexibility.

5. Your First Homebuyer Roadmap with Base Home Loans

Here’s how we guide you from day-one to moving-in:

  1. Initial chat & pre-approval: We assess your budget, deposit size, borrowing capacity, and show you what you can realistically afford.
  2. Define your goals & suburbs: Together we shortlist property types and suburbs that match your lifestyle, future plans and financial position.
  3. Check home-buyer incentives and eligibility: We ensure you’re aware of the Home Guarantee Scheme changes, stamp duty concessions (in WA), and other applicable incentives.
  4. Loan application & property hunting: Once pre-approved, you hunt for property with confidence. We help you understand what rates, fees, repayments look like.
  5. Offer, inspection, settlement: We coordinate with solicitors/conveyancers, help you assess the offer, loan approval, valuation, and settlement logistics.
  6. After-settlement support: We review your loan, monitor interest-rate/funding changes, and ensure you remain on the best possible deal as your life evolves.

This roadmap means you’re not left to navigate alone — you have specialist first homebuyer support every step of the way.

6. Why Choose Base Home Loans for First Home Buyers in Perth?

  • We are 100% independent: we’re not tied to one lender or product, so we can compare across the market to find what’s best for you.
  • First home buyer expertise: We know the challenges you face — debt levels, limited deposit, competition — and have helped many first‐home buyers in WA and across Australia.
  • We take a whole-of-life view: We don’t just help you buy the home, we help you think about what comes next (e.g., how long to stay, when to upgrade).
  • Perth local market knowledge: We live and work in WA, so we understand the local suburbs, market trends and special considerations for Perth buyers.

7. Key Takeaway

For first homebuyers in Perth right now, the combination of expanded government support + a resilient local market means there are genuine opportunities, but you’ll need to be strategic. By defining your deposit, loan capacity, desired lifestyle and suburb-criteria early and working with a broker who’s independent and experienced, you’ll be in the best position to secure the right property for the right reasons.

Ready to take the next step? Visit our First Home Buyers Info Centre at https://basehomeloans.com.au/first-home/ and book a chat with us. We’ll walk you through your options, map out your budget, and help set you on the path to home ownership, or if you’re ready to get started contact us here.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, mortgage laws and regulations can change, and individual circumstances may vary. We recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor or mortgage broker to assess your specific situation and needs. Base Home Loans is not responsible for any actions taken based on the content of this blog. Always conduct your own research and consider seeking professional advice before making financial decisions. The examples used here are illustrative in nature and do not reflect any actual people or clients.

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