From Renting to Owning: Sarah & Mark's $0 Deposit Journey

Sarah and Mark had been renting in Brisbane for over 5 years, watching their weekly rent payments of $450 disappear without building any equity. Like many young couples, they felt trapped in the rental cycle - unable to save for a deposit while paying high rent costs.

"We were spending over $23,000 a year on rent and had nothing to show for it," says Sarah. "Every time we tried to save for a deposit, something would come up - car repairs, medical bills, or just the general cost of living."

The couple discovered GettaHome through a friend who had successfully purchased their first home through the program. Initially skeptical, they decided to complete the online eligibility check.

"Within 24 hours, we had a call from the GettaHome team explaining how the community funding model works," explains Mark. "It seemed too good to be true - buying a home with no deposit required."

The process was surprisingly straightforward. After their initial consultation, GettaHome's team helped them understand their borrowing capacity and connected them with their network of real estate agents specializing in first-home buyer properties.

Within 6 weeks, Sarah and Mark had found their perfect 3-bedroom home in a family-friendly Brisbane suburb. The property featured modern finishes, a spacious backyard, and was close to public transport - everything they had been looking for.

"The settlement process was smooth, and GettaHome's team guided us through every step," says Sarah. "We went from renters to homeowners without having to save a single dollar for deposit."

Today, Sarah and Mark are building equity in their own home instead of paying someone else's mortgage. Their monthly repayments are actually lower than what they were paying in rent, and they have the security and pride that comes with homeownership.

"We can't believe we waited so long to explore this option," says Mark. "GettaHome made our dream of homeownership a reality when we thought it was impossible."