First home buyer advice that actually works in 2026 (with Lucinda Hartley)

Discover why the traditional path to buying your first home no longer works, the trade-offs modern buyers must make, and how to rethink home ownership in today’s market. In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your host Gemma Mitchell is joined by Lucinda Hartley, author of Finding Home, to unpack what’s really changed when it comes to buying your first home. They cover: – Why the traditional “rulebook” no longer applies – How first home buyers need to rethink what “home” means – The key trade-offs you must understand before buying – How to approach home ownership in a way that fits your life today Topics Covered – Why the First Home Buyer Rulebook is Outdated – Then vs Now: What’s Changed in the Property Market – Rethinking What “Home” Means – The First Question Buyers Should Ask Themselves – Housing as “Success” vs Housing as “Security” – Is “Worst House, Best Street” Still Relevant? – Suburb vs Property: What Matters More Today – Changing Buyer Preferences (Apartments, Location, Lifestyle) – The Impact of Government Grants & Incentives – Is the 30% Housing Rule Still Realistic? – The Trade-Off Triangle Explained – The 10 Lifestyle Trade-Off Lenses – Common Trade-Offs Buyers Regret – Defining Your Non-Negotiables Before Buying – Credit Scores: What Actually Matters – Final Advice for First Home Buyers Resources for this episode - Connect with Lucinda: Finding Home – Lucinda Hartley https://www.lucindahartley.com/findinghome - Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”: https://amzn.to/42Uz0aK - Speak with the Rask Advice team: https://rask.au/advice - Ask a question (select the Finance podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest Show partner resources - Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit: https://bit.ly/Pearler - Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith: https://bit.ly/R-PocketSmith - View Betashares range of funds: https://bit.ly/beta-25 Rask resources - All services: https://bit.ly/R-services - Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan - Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest - Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes - Ask a question: https://bit.ly/R-quest - We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP Follow us on social media: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg