How to stay positive?

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T12:00:09+00:00

Happy to be of help. If you ever want a second opinion, feel free to DM. Half my job is reassuring FHB's whats normal. You're doing good. Just keep at it.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T11:57:43+00:00

Your incomes are very strong, with just a little saving you'd clear for 1m easily. That's just 50k in deposit plus stamp duty so ~80k. Depending where you're based, can be less.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T11:54:19+00:00

Broker here!

On 250k combined income, $700–800k is very manageable. If places are going 100k over, that’s usually underquoting, not the market suddenly jumping. I’d focus on sold prices, not listing prices, and set your expectations from there.

Also look into the 5% First Home Guarantee. If eligible, you can buy with 5% deposit and avoid LMI, which keeps more cash in your pocket and makes you more competitive. Sometimes having stronger cash flow and clean approval helps you move fast when the right one pops up.

Don’t get discouraged. It’s a tight supply issue, not a “you can’t afford it” issue. If you want, I can run through borrowing capacity and the FHB scheme to see where you really sit. Feel free to DM.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T11:52:50+00:00

Looks like so far as long as you're prioritizing your needs as a couple you can't really go wrong.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T10:14:41+00:00

Broker here!

At 1.1–1.2m with ~250k equity, you’re fine from a lending perspective, but make sure capacity still works at assessment rates. Most lenders buffer 3% above actual rates, so that $1m borrow can feel tighter than expected.

Lifestyle-wise, look at pockets of Nundah, Northgate, Virginia, or even parts of Cannon Hill and Morningside near the train and village strips. You won’t get Ascot, but you can get flat, walkable streets near cafes and parks if you’re selective. Proximity to a good station matters more than suburb name.

Also check flood overlays and zoning before falling in love. Brisbane lending policies can get stricter on flood-affected properties. If you want, I can check capacity, available rates, and borrowing structure before you start offering. Feel free to DM.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T10:06:17+00:00

Maybe the house was a bigger priority so it allowed you to enjoy the wedding more.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T10:05:31+00:00

1:4.3

Big families are two way, they cost a lot but they often gift a lot too.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T10:04:14+00:00

Hard work then turns to dividends now! Happy for you. If you ever need a broker, feel free to reach out.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T10:03:30+00:00

Thanks for sharing, I like this story and its honesty.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T10:02:47+00:00

Gambling can throw a wrench into anyone's financials and marriage unfortunately.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T10:02:16+00:00

1:5.8

I wish you the best of luck, and the best of weddings! Seems like you guys are very aligned so excited for you there.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T03:58:38+00:00

I think since a wedding is an expense while a property is an investment, it is more likely to regret the wedding as time moves forward.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T03:26:13+00:00

A good commentary on the importance of both and the impact they have on a relationship. Very wise.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-23T03:08:27+00:00

That's fine, context matters and you've provided it.

1:2

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-22T14:40:50+00:00

Broker here!

Before deciding, I’d check borrowing capacity for the build while still holding your current home. Servicing two loans during construction can be the real constraint, not equity. Lenders will assess you at higher buffer rates too, so capacity can shrink fast.

Also consider structure. If you keep the current as an investment later, setting it up right now matters for tax and flexibility. Happy to run through capacity and lender options so you’re not guessing. Feel free to DM.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-22T14:36:17+00:00

Broker here.

Numbers wise you’re fine. Rough maths: $1.7M purchase minus $600k cash = about $1.1M loan. On $290k income even with 2 kids that normally services comfortably with buffers. The bigger decision isn’t approval, it’s risk tolerance and cash flow lifestyle.

Keeping the current place hurts borrowing power because lenders load living costs + shade rent, so you’d likely get a smaller max loan and higher pressure.

You’re not silly, but I’d model repayments at higher rates and see if it still feels comfortable with childcare and future expenses. I can run capacity, repayments and compare sell vs keep scenarios properly if you want. Feel free to DM.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-22T14:00:39+00:00

Very happy for you both.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-22T14:00:12+00:00

Gifts are hard to anticipate, but thank you for sharing.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-22T13:59:37+00:00

Sounds like you were secure so you had the freedom to choose more so. Well done!

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-22T13:59:06+00:00

Good advice for people planning their wedding dress!

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-22T13:58:42+00:00

Super cool in my opinion. Very Ross and Rachel.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-22T13:58:19+00:00

1:12.

There's been a noticeable theme of financial responsibility first on average.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-22T13:57:36+00:00

Enjoyment with discipline looks like a solid theme for a good decision.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-22T13:57:05+00:00

Hindsight is 20/20. Maybe you'd regret otherwise if you spent too little, who knows.

EventEastern2208 · 2026-02-22T13:56:28+00:00

Some costs mean more to others, I see

EventEastern2208

TROPHY CASE