Your first home is a big deal!
It’s not just about saving a deposit — it’s about making smart decisions, avoiding costly mistakes, and knowing your options from day one.
Our First Home Buyers Guide walks you step-by-step through what you need to know, from getting finance ready to deciding whether to buy an established home or build new.
Inside, you’ll find:
🏡 Low Deposit Pathways – Keystart, First Home Guarantee, and Family Guarantee explained.
💰 Government Grants & Costs – WA-specific details on the $10,000 FHOG and stamp duty exemptions.
🔑 Practical Steps – Key people you’ll work with, property types to consider, and common FAQs answered.
Whether you’re just starting to save or ready to make an offer, this guide will help you move forward with confidence.
A step by step guide to buying your first home
Step 1: Have your financial position assessed.
We can advise your credit score, borrowing capacity, funds needed to purchase, loan amount, and indicative repayments.
We can also advise of the schemes which you would be elibile for.
From there we can determine if you’re ready for the next step or you need to save additional funds.
Its never too early to have this conversation - planning is an important part of success!
Step 2: Apply for Preapproval
Once you have sufficient deposit, and you have gathered your documents, you can apply for preapproval. This gives you peace of mind, that your finance is secure why you look for a suitable property.
Alternatively we can supply a letter of eligibility if you are seeking to purchase a block of land to build upon.
Step 3: Go House Hunting
With your funds secure, you can now look at homes, knowing you are in a position to make an offer.
At Acorn Lane, we have property and finance expertise and provide assistance with the buying process if required.
Step 4: Purchase a Property
Once you find a property, you can make an offer and if they seller accepts, than you are official a buyer! At Acorn Lane we have experience in the market market and can provide you with detailed property and suburb reports as well as guide with the process.
Once the contract is signed and the deposit paid, its time to apply for the bank for formal approval.
Step 5: Obtain Formal Approval
With your contract of sale, we can obtain a valuation and file other paperwork with the lender. The bank will review this and then assuming everything is in order, they will issue approval and issue loan documents.
Step 6: Settle and move in.
After formal approval, you move to settlement. Here the official process of change of name occurs on the title and documents are prepared for the big day when the funds are paid to the seller.
A date called the settlement date is fixed and that’s the day the money changes hands and you now are officially a first home buyer.
Step 7: Post loan support.
And our service doesn’t stop there. We will continue to provide support on your home loan with check ins and annual reviews. Always working with your best interest in mind and helping you achieve your goals.
