“Aviser led me step-by-step, and without them, I wouldn’t have been able to make the purchase.”
Having lived in Elwood since her early 20’s, producer, actor, and model Jess knew that she wanted to buy her first property in Elwood. Living near the beach was a top priority for both her and her dogs!
By her own admission, she didn’t know much else about the home-buying experience. Undeterred, Jess worked with Aviser Finance to learn about the process and found the right loan to help her land her dream apartment after only a few months! Not only was she successful, but she and her partner are also already preparing to buy property #2.
We spoke to Jess about her experience.
Aviser: Can you describe how Aviser’s team assisted you in your journey to first homeownership?
Jess: I had no clue about what was involved in purchasing my first apartment/home. Aviser’s team assisted me in every way, even when I thought I was asking stupid questions, they were very kind and took the time to explain everything in detail so I could understand the process. Every call and email I made, they were quick to respond, making me feel important and assured I was being looked after. They helped by breaking down the process for me and taking me by the hand, step by step until we got a suitable loan and put in an offer.
A: How important was organising finance for you, and how early on in your buying process did you enlist Aviser?
J: Aviser led me step-by-step, and without them, I wouldn’t have been able to make the purchase. I am looking to purchase another property with my partner, and the first thing I did as soon as I found the property I wanted to buy was to contact Aviser. They got to work straight away, and I had a loan approved.
Jess and Martin in Jess’s new home!
A: Did your expectations about the kind of property you’d buy change over the period of searching, negotiating, and settling your first home?
J: I had a very clear idea about what I wanted, so when I found the apartment I eventually bought, it was even better than what I had thought. I engaged a buyer’s advocate to help me settle the home, so, I didn’t need to do too much to search, negotiate or settle.
A: Can you give one key piece of advice for first home buyers looking to get into the market?
J: I would engage both a buyer’s advocate and broker as soon as the thought of buying a home comes to mind. If you’re not in a position to buy, a broker can help you plan on getting there, so rather than walking around in the dark, guessing what you may or may not be able to do, you will have a clear understanding of where you sit, how to get to where you want to be and then, buy your home!
A: What factors influenced you to want to purchase in Elwood?
J: I have lived in Elwood since my early twenties. I knew it would be a good place to live and invest in as it’s a popular suburb close to the city but away from the hustle of everything. It’s a good mix of people of all ages and backgrounds. I have always needed to be near the water, and I am only a 20-minute walk from the bay. I have a dog and am amongst multiple dog parks, close to St Kilda, Chapel Street, St Kilda botanical gardens, trams, trains; it’s a very accessible suburb, but much quieter and leafier to its neighbour St Kilda.
Jess with her beach-loving dogs!
A: Can you tell us your go-to places in Elwood for dinner, coffee, and home decor?
J: I would suggest Mr Tuppy on Tennyson Street for a great coffee and love to head out for a drink at Elwood Lounge and play pool and chat with some locals. There have been a few great pop-ups decor shops in Elwood, so keep your eyes peeled for what is coming next! But the beauty of Elwood is that you’re close to everything, so if you want to explore, it’s at your doorstep.
Jess Watts is a producer, model & actor based in Elwood, Melbourne.
You can follow her journey on Instagram as she renovates her new home @killerwatts