How first-home buyers are finding smart ways to stay afloat
Silvia and Andres moved from Colombia in 2019 and saved steadily while renting in Sydney before taking advantage of the First Home Buyers Scheme to get a foothold in the market. “I heard about the scheme when they announced that permanent residents could access it,” says Silvia. “Then someone explained the process and the benefits we were eligible for, like not needing to pay stamp duty.” The couple’s two-bedroom Lane Cove apartment offered room to grow – but as interest rates rose and strata, insurance and maintenance costs piled up, they realised they’d need to think creatively to stay in their home.
What it’s really like to share your home with a flatmate
But what about privacy? As a young couple building their lives together, would a housemate impede their freedom? “Honestly, we felt like this was the best time in our lives to do this,” says Andres.
For Canberra-homeowner Melissa, having an extra person in a two- bedroom apartment made a huge difference with bills but came with trade-offs. “My boyfriend and I had to whisper-fight,” she laughs. “Or acknowledge that our dynamic was going to impact the single person living with us.” Still, the experience had unexpected upsides: “Seeing her dating adventures made us realise we were glad to be off the market.”
How to choose the right flatmate and set expectations early
Start by getting clear on why you’re opening your home. Is it purely financial or are you also looking for company? Knowing this helps shape what you’re seeking in a tenant. When advertising your room, be upfront about your lifestyle. For example, if you work from home, prefer quiet evenings or expect shared cleaning duties. Ask potential flatmates about their daily routines, work hours and social habits, too.
For Sydney-based Emily, sharing a home had both highs and lows. “My now-husband and I moved in with his best friend to cut costs and while we had some great times, I was often the third wheel,” she says. “The final straw came when I realised our flatmate was using the living room as his floordrobe.” Her advice? “Make sure both your partner and your flatmate are house-trained.” And do your due diligence: you’re within your rights to ask for references from landlords and former housemates. You can even trial an initial three or six-month lease before committing to something longer term.
Avoiding conflict: tips for shared homes
Money, mess and privacy are the three biggest tension points in shared homes so it pays to set things up clearly from the start. Be clear about expenses – a shared tracker or direct debit keeps bills fair and simple – and agree early on how you’ll divide cleaning duties and communal costs.
Establish boundaries that protect everyone’s downtime, like designating quiet nights or having the living room to yourself once a week. And if things aren’t working, don’t just ignore it: a respectful chat can fix friction but if it can’t, follow the notice terms in your agreement to part ways smoothly.
Why flat sharing works for some homeowners
For Silvia and Andres, having a flatmate has been a good experience, offering a way for them to get ahead financially while still enjoying the company of others. “It’s helped us feel more secure,” says Silvia. “And we’ve learnt that when you pick the right person, sharing your house can make it feel even more like home.”
