Is now the time for young lawyers to buy property?

Alongside such increased lending on the rise to FHBs, it appears there is renewed confidence among younger professionals, including and especially early-career lawyers, who “are beginning to re-enter the property market after a period of hesitation”, according to Distinctive Finance directors Mitchell Lobb and Christian Goodall.

“We’re seeing growing momentum from young professionals, especially early-career lawyers, looking to enter the property market. The past 12 months of high interest rates put a lot of first-home plans on pause, but confidence is returning,” the pair said.

“That shift is being driven by modest improvements in borrowing capacity, stronger government support, and a realisation that you don’t need to wait until you’ve ‘made it’ to take the first step.”

For young lawyers in particular, Lobb and Goodall continued, it’s not just about securing the lowest interest rate.

“It’s about setting up a loan structure that works with how their income is likely to evolve, considers future promotions, and keeps options open as their career and life circumstances change,” they said.

“For some, that means leaning on a family guarantee or purchasing with a sibling. For others, it’s exploring rent-vesting, i.e., buying in an affordable growth area while continuing to rent closer to work.”

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Cullen Haynes, director of sales of Legal Home Loans, said his team observes that many FHBs are keen to explore their borrowing capacity and eligibility, “but many are hesitating to take the leap to purchase amidst uncertain times”.

“The two cash rate cuts we’ve received in 2025 are in the FHBs’ favour, and there are many government incentives on the table and more coming in the new year,” he said.

“The market is predicted to rise – in both competition and house prices – by the end of the year, so for those in a cash position to purchase, now is a great time. Especially for legal professionals who only need a 10 per cent deposit to enter the market without parental guarantee or government deposit assistance.”

If you have been thinking about it, Haynes advised, “we highly recommend sorting your pre-approval before you start searching”.

“The house hunt journey can take time, but many buyers also get surprised by finding a fantastic home early on. Don’t get caught out, you want to have pre-approval in your hand so you can act fast and with certainty regarding your finance position,” he said.

Lobb and Goodall said: “Property prices remain high, and saving a deposit can feel out of reach, especially when dealing with HELP debt or working long hours that make it hard to take on extra income.”

“But often, the true breakthrough comes from strategy.”