Strategies for Early Homeownership, Passing on Money Management Wisdom and Teaching Financial Independence (Ep. 263)

Helping versus hindering our children’s financial futures… it’s all about mindset! Dave hosts today’s episode and the Trio enjoy sharing their thoughts about the various ways we can help our children get a foot on the property ladder.

First homebuyer participation is up a little bit when contrasted against recent years. Dave runs through some of the key reasons that could be contributing to this increased level.

First home buyer activity bounced up with targeted government incentives during GFC recovery and COVID recovery. Both also had record low interest rates.

“The series shows only two substantial spikes in first home buyer loans between 2008-09 and 2020-21. These can largely be explained by temporary government incentives for housing purchases.

There was a temporary boost to the first home owner grant introduced around the GFC, and a temporary HomeBuilder grant introduced around the onset of the pandemic (which was not specifically targeted at first home buyers, but could be used in combination with the then recently introduced ‘First Home Loan Deposit Scheme’).” (Source: Core Logic)

The Trio take a walk down memory lane as they recall some of the various first home buyer incentives introduced by our governments since the GFC.

Dave canvases the concept of false economy when it comes to incentives and price points that some buyers chase that don’t completely align with an optimal strategy.

Cate delves into some of the issues that could arise when parents’ generosity is too great, there are some significant risks that need to be considered.

• Lack of appreciation of the gift
• No meaningful education about the value of earning/saving/sacrificing
• Begrudging the parents for taking away their sense of achievement
• Jealousy among their peers
• Partners taking advantage of them
• Relationship issues when a partner feels they have an uneven sense of contribution
• Parental concern about asset division in the case of a breakup
• Awkwardness around the prospect of a pre-nuptial agreement

Cate chats about hers and her husband’s approach with their daughter’s property deposit savings regime. From a small inheritance from her grandmother a few years ago, followed by ETF share portfolio outperformance of that little nest egg, this seventeen year old has been making regular contributions to her portfolio with her part time job. What is the deal that Cate has struck with her? Tune in to find out…

The Trio reflect on the great encouragement that their own parents imparted. Thinking about the great lessons and moments of pride during our own childhood can lead to some great ideas that can be paid forward.

How else can parents contribute if they are keen to help?

• Paying for a Property Plan and/or a Buyer’s Agent service for them – even just down to bidding
• Buying great books for them to read
• Considering being a guarantor

And lastly, Cate talks about some of the non-financial ways that we can make a positive difference for kids these days.

• Offering subsidised/free housing while they save
• Assisting them with their searching/inspecting/negotiating/bidding
• Helping with a clean up/renovation
• Assisting with education/learning/research/due diligence
• Getting them into podcasts and chatting about some of the enjoyable episodes
• Being supportive when they need your ear

Gold Nuggets:

Cate Bakos’s gold nugget: When you’re working out how you can help your kids with their financial future, make sure you let it be their journey.

Mike Mortlock’s gold nugget: Mike reflects on Cate’s daughter’s $5000 nest egg which was compounding. That ‘early win’ is a very valuable introduction to good investing.

Dave Johnston’s gold nugget: Getting his children applying some research and selecting companies in a share portfolio from the age of grade six is an exciting plan that Dave has been considering.