For digital marketing consultant and fashion aficionado Jo, buying her own home was a decision driven by the desire for freedom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though Jo admits she is incredibly lucky and privileged to have been able to live with her parents and save money to put towards a house deposit, ultimately, she was ready to begin this new chapter of her life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"While [my parents] have provided so much for me, and helped shape the person I am, I didn't realise that living with them, you don't really get the chance to form your full identity,\u201d shares Jo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And so, her property search began. Like many first-home buyers, figuring out what she could actually afford was a process of trial and error. In fact, Jo is radically honest about the challenges she faced with navigating her expectations, Sydney\u2019s hot property market and her budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI really dug myself a hole because I was constantly looking at suburbs closer to the water. That\u2019s why it took me three years to buy because I wasn\u2019t being realistic about my budget or thinking through what paying the mortgage on a monthly basis would be like.\u201d - Jo<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Every Saturday, she attended open houses and inspections, knocking elbows with countless others desperate to crack into the ultra-competitive property market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each listing came and went, well outside her budget. Soon, Jo found her options narrowing significantly until there was little to choose from. As she explains, the home-buying process proved to be a challenging experience, \u201cI\u2019m a perfectionist and idealistic!\u201d she laughs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With COVID continuing to drive property prices to record highs, Jo decided she needed to take a break and broaden her search when she returned. First, she began looking in some of the suburbs that were close to where she grew up. In doing so, she realised that her dream of finding independence with the purchase of her own home felt more achievable and within reach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is actually better,\u201d she thought at the time, \u201cbecause then I don\u2019t need to live on baked beans and instant noodles every day. I can actually have and maintain my lifestyle, and <\/em>own my own place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After attending inspections and viewing countless properties for three years, Jo knew what she did and didn\u2019t like. \"I felt like I learnt so much about property, housing and this industry because I spent every Saturday for the past three years doing it.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n When she came across her two-bedroom, one-bathroom garage unit in Eastwood, she knew immediately she\u2019d found the one. But she also knew she had to act fast, as she had \u2018never seen a place this popular before.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Close to the train station and with an incredible floor plan, the property in question was sure to be a popular spot. Light-filled and with a well-maintained courtyard, the Eastwood unit ticked all of Jo\u2019s boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t asking for much: an office, close to the train station, and a garage. That\u2019s it,\u201d says Jo. \u201cThe floorplan just made sense, and the whole place felt so good. It\u2019s really spacious and it\u2019s very close to my parents.\u201d she tells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a central location in the heart of Eastwood, she knew she had the freedom of coming and going as she pleased for her very sociable life, while remaining relatively close to her family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Jo, feeling supported throughout the entire home-buying process was crucial, especially as a solo first-home buyer (a massive accomplishment in and of itself). It all started when she \u201ccame along to a Wine & Wisdom night<\/a>, and the rest happened so naturally\u2026 I felt like these are a really decent bunch of people,\u201d Jo shares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"I really appreciate that any time I had a silly question, any time I had any questions, or needed support with crunching numbers, Pure Finance was always there and always so informative and patient. The whole process was so seamless. When I got the home, that excitement that everyone had for me, with me, made it feel like I was doing this whole process with a bunch of friends.\" - Jo<\/p>\n\n\n\n It may have taken three years for Jo to buy, but her new home has granted her the independence she was hoping for. With a side hustle selling pre-loved designer clothing through her eBay store allowing her to tap into her love of fashion, it\u2019s clear the decision is also one that\u2019s seen her realise her full identity away from home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the space feels close to perfect the way it is, Jo has plans to eventually redo and update the kitchen in the years ahead. \u201cIt\u2019s not a complete eyesore, but if I can refresh it with new tiles and cabinets, that will elevate the whole space, but I\u2019m not in any hurry for it Having her own place is exactly what Jo\u2019s worked so hard to secure. The only thing that\u2019s missing? \u201cIf I ever won the lotto, you would know because I would immediately get five dogs. A Schnauzer, a little grey Staffy, a Yorkshire Terrier, a Golden Retriever and a Jack Russell,\u201d laughs Jo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.purefinance.com.au\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Jo_2.png\")
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\n\n\n\n.<\/s>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nJo\u2019s top spots to eat and drink in Eastwood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n