Your first home, bought with confidence
The problems we solve for
first home buyers
Missing out at auction after auction
You keep turning up and keep getting outbid, while prices keep moving.
Not sure what you can really afford
Pre-approval is one number. What you should actually spend is another.
Worried about overpaying or buying a lemon
Is the price fair? What does the building report really mean?
Confused by grants and stamp duty
Exemptions, caps and deposit schemes change every year, and nobody explains them plainly.
No time to inspect every weekend
Work, family and open homes don’t fit in one weekend.
We work only for buyers, and for first home buyers the property checks are free.
What first home buyers can access in NSW right now
Three schemes that can save you tens of thousands of dollars. Your broker confirms which ones you qualify for.
First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme
$0 duty up to $800K
No stamp duty on a new or existing home up to $800,000, and reduced duty under $1,000,000. For citizens and permanent residents who live in it for at least 12 months.
Official NSW Government page →5% Deposit Scheme
5% deposit, no LMI
Buy with a 5% deposit and no lenders mortgage insurance. No income caps; Sydney price cap $1.5 million. For owner-occupier citizens and permanent residents.
Housing Australia page →First Home Owner (New Home) Grant
$10,000 for a new home
$10,000 if you buy or build a brand-new home: up to $600,000, or $750,000 for house and land. Not for existing homes.
Official NSW Government page →General information only, last checked November 2026. Confirm eligibility with your broker, Revenue NSW or Housing Australia.
What you do, and what we do
Five steps from first chat to keys. You make every decision; we do the legwork, checks and negotiating.
Free chat & budget check
You: tell us your goals, budget and timeline.
We: explain the process and grants, and connect you with a broker for pre-approval.
Suburb & home shortlist
You: share your must-haves, commute and schools.
We: match suburbs and homes to your lifestyle and budget.
Inspections & due diligence
You: inspect the homes you like.
We: run building and pest, strata, zoning and flood checks, and review the contract with your solicitor.
Negotiation or auction bidding
You: set your walk-away limit with us.
We: negotiate or bid for you at auction, so emotion doesn’t set the price.
Settlement & keys
You: sign and plan the move.
We: work with your broker and solicitor through to settlement, and stay in touch after.
Found a home? We’ll check it for free
Not sure the price is right, or what the reports really mean? For first home buyers we check it free, with no obligation.
- Comparable sales and a fair price range
- Building and pest report review, in plain English
- Strata records: levies, sinking fund and defects
- Zoning, flood and planning checks
- Contract red flags, reviewed with your solicitor
- A clear recommendation: offer, negotiate, or walk away
Cost: free. Want us to negotiate or bid too? We quote that separately, and you decide.
Send us a home you’re looking at
Paste the listing link or address and Manoj will reply within one business day.
Someone who’s been there
“I know how overwhelming your first purchase can feel, because I’ve been there. My job is to make it simpler, explain every step and make sure you don’t overpay.”
Manoj Mali, Founder and Licensed Buyers Agent
Manoj bought his first Sydney home after arriving in 2013 and founded Gratitude in 2020. You deal with him directly, from first chat to keys, with Tarika’s research and Akshay’s off-market sourcing behind every shortlist.
- Castle Hill
- Kellyville
- Bella Vista
- Quakers Hill
- Schofields
- Chatswood
The Sydney areas we know best for first homes
The Hills District, the North Shore and Western Sydney: the areas we know street by street.
Quakers Hill
Established family suburb with good schools, parks and a train station.
Schofields
Fast-growing new-home area with modern estates and a train station.
Bella Vista
Our home suburb: leafy streets, Norwest and Sydney Metro stations.
Kellyville
Family-friendly and on the Metro, with established and newer homes.
Rouse Hill
Big town centre, Metro station and a mix of established and new homes.
Box Hill
One of Sydney’s newest suburbs, with house-and-land options.
Marsden Park
New estates and larger blocks, close to the M7.
Blacktown
Major centre with trains, Westpoint and more affordable homes.
Penrith
River city with trains, M4 access and more house for your money.
Parramatta
Sydney’s second CBD: trains, light rail, apartments and family homes.
Chatswood
North Shore hub with train, Metro, shopping and sought-after schools.
Hornsby
Upper North Shore: trains, bushland, established homes and good schools.
We’ve helped 50+ migrant families into their first Australian home
When Manoj arrived in Sydney in 2013, owning a family home was one of his biggest dreams. Without local knowledge or anyone to guide him, it took him two years to understand the market, and prices rose by more than $200,000 while he worked it out.
That’s why we love helping new migrant families buy their first home. We’ve helped 50+ families so far. We explain how buying works in Australia, step by step and in plain English, help you understand which suburbs suit your family, and stay on your side from first inspection to settlement.
- How buying works in NSW, step by step
- What a short credit history means for your loan
- Which grants and stamp duty savings depend on residency
- Suburbs with the community, schools and transport you need
Grant and stamp duty eligibility depends on your residency status. A broker or Revenue NSW can confirm the details.
From new migrant to buyers agent
“In 2013, I arrived in Australia with one goal: to own a home in Sydney. Doing it without help was hard, so I promised myself no family should go through that alone.”
What home buyers say about us
Genuine, unedited Google reviews from clients we’ve helped buy.
★★★★★Working with Manoj was one of the best decisions we made during our property purchase. They genuinely cared about finding the right property for us rather than simply closing a deal. Their communication was excellent, and they kept us informed every step of the way. Thanks to their hard work and persistence, we secured a property that perfectly meets our needs.
★★★★★Excellent experience from start to finish. Very knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely dedicated to helping us throughout the process. Everything was smooth, clear, and stress-free. Highly recommended!
★★★★★Highly recommend Manoj! They were professional, responsive, and knowledgeable throughout our property search. Their guidance and negotiation skills helped us secure the right property with confidence. Thank you for making the process so smooth and stress-free.
Your Sydney First Home Buyer Checklist
Budgeting and upfront costs, NSW grants and stamp duty, the 5% Deposit Scheme, inspections, contracts and auction day, so nothing catches you by surprise.
Your questions, answered
Straight answers to the questions first home buyers ask us most. Can’t find yours? Call 0422 551 539 or book a free chat.
Can I afford a buyers agent as a first home buyer?
Probably more easily than you think. You get a clear, fixed quote after a free strategy meeting, and a good buyers agent can often save you more than the fee by stopping you overpaying or buying a home with hidden problems. Checking a home you’ve already found is free for first home buyers.
What grants and stamp duty savings can I get in NSW?
Eligible first home buyers pay no stamp duty on homes up to $800,000, and reduced duty under $1,000,000. Buying or building a new home? You may also get the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant. We’ll go through it on your free call; your broker or Revenue NSW confirms eligibility.
Can I buy with a 5% deposit?
Often, yes. Under the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, eligible first home buyers can buy with a 5% deposit and no lenders mortgage insurance. There are no income caps and the Sydney price cap is $1.5 million. Your broker can confirm if you qualify.
Can you bid at auction for me?
Yes. We research what the home is really worth, agree a bidding strategy and limit with you, and bid on the day, so emotion doesn’t set the price.
I’ve already found a home I like. Can you still help?
Absolutely. We’ll check what it’s worth against recent sales, review the risks and contract with your solicitor, and negotiate the price and terms for you. For first home buyers, the checks are free.
Do you help new migrants buy their first home?
Yes, it’s close to our hearts. Manoj arrived in Sydney in 2013 and learned the hard way how confusing the market can be. We’ve since helped 50+ migrant families buy their first home. Grant and stamp duty eligibility can depend on residency, so we’ll point you to a broker to confirm what applies.
Which Sydney suburbs do you cover for home buyers?
The Hills District, the North Shore and Western Sydney. Our office is in Bella Vista, so we know these areas street by street, from Kellyville and Castle Hill to Chatswood, Quakers Hill and Schofields. Looking elsewhere in Sydney? Ask us on your free call.
What happens on the free call?
A relaxed 15-minute chat with Manoj about what you want to buy, your timeline and your budget. We’ll explain the process, answer your questions and tell you honestly whether we can help. No pressure, no obligation.
Ready to buy your first home with someone on your side?
Tell us what you’re looking for on a free, no-obligation call. We’ll explain the next steps, costs and grants, and whether we’re the right fit.