What happens when a government equity scheme starts to feel like a trap? In this episode, Hayden and Dave sit down with listener Steve to unpack his property situation and map out a path forward.

Steve is a self-employed sports coach earning around $120,000–$130,000 a year, with a partner on $100,000. He owns an apartment worth roughly $570,000, holds a $200,000 ETF portfolio, and used the Victorian Homebuyer Fund to get into the market with a 25% government equity stake still sitting on his property.

In this episode they cover:

👉 How the Victorian Homebuyer Fund works and why Steve is feeling stuck

👉 Whether refinancing could free him from the government equity stake without selling his ETFs

👉 The case for rent-vesting as a flexible alternative to upsizing

👉 How to weigh lifestyle preferences against pure FIRE optimisation

👉 Why financial flexibility can matter more than squeezing every dollar out of a strategy

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Disclaimer

Any advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.

Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guide

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