The report, Future Focus: Homeownership, from ING has revealed that one in four Australians intends to buy a home within the next two years – or 2.37 million people. 

It credited the strong desire to jump on the property ladder – and a newfound perception that it is actually a possibility (especially for Millennials) – to low interest rates, a more affordable housing market and new government schemes.

For anyone who has set their sights on a property of their very own, here are some of the tips ING has offered to help you get on the ladder sooner:

1. Review the things you’re no longer spending money on and consider redirecting those funds towards a deposit.

Were you meant to go on a holiday? Or hoping to? Add that travel fund to your deposit savings!

2. Re-evaluate what you’re prepared to sacrifice to save for a home.

Did you really miss going out for dinner three-plus times a week during stage 3 restrictions? Or has that become an expense you can now live without?

Maybe you’ve cut back on personal shopping spending, or have decided that that gym membership isn’t really worth it.

Funnel this money towards your deposit savings, too!

3. Research the home-buying government initiatives in your state to determine whether you are eligible.

The HomeBuilder scheme sits upon some already generous state and territory first home buying schemes. 

You may also be eligible for the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, which sees eligible Australians only need a 5 per cent deposit towards the purchase of their first home. 

4. Shop around for a low interest rate.

With interest rates currently sitting at record lows, and unlikely to go any lower, there’s never been a better time to shop around for mortgages.  

nestegg has recently asked the question: Where can you get a mortgage rate under 2 per cent? 

5. Know how COVID-19 has changed your lifestyle and buy accordingly.

You may be able to capitalise on this.

Maybe it means you need a bigger space because you’re entertaining at home instead of going out, or maybe a more flexible workplace now means you can live further from your office?

Australians have recently spent an unprecedented amount of time in the confines of their own home – of course, this will have an impact on your list of requirements for the perfect property.

Did you enjoy this article? You may also be interested in:

• Why is Melbourne property falling more than everywhere else?
• HomeBuilder prediction: 8 suburbs set to boom 
• Property market dips for second straight month  

About the author

Grace Ormsby

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.

About the author

Grace Ormsby

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.

more on this topic

Property

Zagga's ninth anniversary sees focus on investor education in real estate private credit

In a significant milestone, Zagga, a key player in the Australian real estate sector, is celebrating its ninth anniversary with a renewed commitment to investor education. The company has grown ...Read more

Property

Australian property’s quiet pivot: resilience hides a new competitive map

Australia’s housing market remains sturdier than the macro noise suggests, but the sources of resilience have shifted. For operators, the profit pool is migrating from ‘volume at any price’ to ...Read more

Property

Gen Z’s 5% deposit rush: how policy‑driven demand is reshaping Australia’s housing value chain

A government-backed 5% deposit guarantee has triggered a surge in first-home buyer intent among Gen Z, pulling forward demand and resetting competition across banks, brokers and buildersRead more

Property

Cautious bidders, smarter sellers: a Queensland auction case study on repricing risk

Queensland’s auction market has hit a caution cycle as buyers price in higher borrowing costs, global uncertainty and cost-of-living pressure. Clearance softness is forcing agencies to re-engineer ...Read more

Property

Trust, technology and triage: what NSW’s ‘name and shame’ signals for real estate governance

NSW’s latest enforcement action on real estate trust accounts isn’t a one-off embarrassment; it’s a stress test of sector governance. With licences suspended and penalties applied, the message is ...Read more

Property

Vacancy is rising, demand is resilient: A case study in defending yield as Australia’s rental cycle rebalances

After a blistering run, Australia’s rental market is loosening at the edges. Vacancy is edging up off historic lows, rent inflation is set to moderate into 2026, yet underlying demand remains ...Read more

Property

Don’t lose the deposit: A case study in stopping real estate payment fraud — and the ROI for doing it

Deposit redirection scams are quietly eroding buyer savings and agency reputations in Australia’s property market. This case study unpacks how a mid-tier real estate group redesigned its settlement ...Read more

Property

The $12m threshold: Why portfolio value, not property count, now defines Australia’s investor elite

The old yardstick of six properties as shorthand for investment success has been overtaken by a harsher reality: in today’s market, elite status is defined by balance-sheet strength, not asset countRead more