Family & life milestones
Help Kids Buy First Home
Be the bank of mum & dad.
With entry-level prices where they are, many first-home buyers rely on parents. Homeowner parents typically have three levers: gift a deposit from released equity, act as a limited guarantor, or lend the funds as a documented family loan. Each has very different implications.
Things to consider
- A gift is a gift — it does not survive a relationship breakdown in the child's household unless structured with legal advice.
- A limited guarantee (usually a small slice of the parent's property) limits risk far better than guaranteeing the whole loan.
- Get legal advice before signing anything as guarantor — the exposure can be significant if the child defaults.
- Discuss the impact on the parents' own retirement plans; equity gifted is equity no longer available for later.
Related equity uses
Three more ways homeowners commonly put usable equity to work.
Explore whether help kids buy first home could work for you — complimentary, no obligation.
No obligation · No cost · No credit check to enquire.