Supporting home ownership: Emily’s story
As a registered nurse living in Sydney, home ownership once felt out of reach for Emily. Having rented for most of her adult life, and at times moving back in with her parents, almost all her income went towards rent.
“With limited borrowing power and no family history of home ownership, buying a home felt like something other people did, not me.”
Emily began her journey towards buying around 3 years ago, after being introduced to a Commonwealth Bank lending specialist. While her pre-approval was regularly updated and she explored different areas, affordability remained a significant barrier.
“I was actively trying, but it always felt like I was just short of what I needed,” she said. “It was incredibly stressful not having a stable place to live. My borrowing power meant I couldn’t buy anything suitable, particularly close to work, friends or family.”
As a nurse, being able to live close to her workplace and community was important to Emily. Being nearby made it easier to balance work, family and everyday commitments, while staying connected to her community.
After hearing about the Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme in the news, Emily registered for updates via the Treasury website and applied as soon as the Scheme opened. Through Help to Buy, she was able to purchase a newer apartment that met her needs and allowed her to stay close to work.
“Without the Scheme, I would only have been able to afford an older unit or a one-bedroom apartment,” she said. “Help to Buy allowed me to buy a home with two bedrooms, lift access and space for my parents as they get older.”
Now preparing to move in, Emily says home ownership represents long-awaited stability and peace of mind.
“Growing up, frequent moves were stressful and unsettling. Owning my own home gives me security and peace of mind and the comfort of knowing we don’t have to worry about how long we can stay.”
For Emily, Help to Buy has made home ownership possible where it matters most - supporting a key worker to live closer to work, family and community, and providing a secure foundation for the future.