INVESTORS FLIP THE SCRIPT TO HELP FIRST HOME BUYERS
Investors are registering to help first home buyers own sooner while strengthening their own portfolios.
3 min
For years, first-time home buyers have blamed investors for locking them out of the market, snapping up properties, and driving prices sky-high.
But a groundbreaking Rent-to-Sell scheme is flipping the script—turning investors into key allies, helping renters break free from the cycle and step onto the property ladder.
New data from PublicSquare reveals that 500 investors per month indicate their willingness to volunteer their properties, offering a much-needed lifeline to aspiring homeowners struggling to save for a deposit in NSW and QLD.
This groundbreaking model is helping first-time home buyers break free from the rental cycle by turning typical investment properties into a structured pathway to ownership.
Investors, who often face criticism for driving housing demand, are now making homeownership possible—while securing a 50% boost in rental returns and a guaranteed future sale price.
“There’s always been this battle between first home buyers and investors, but this model is proving they can work together,” said Dean Arnold, CEO of PublicSquare.
“We’re seeing investors who were once viewed as the enemy now giving renters the best shot they’ve ever had at owning their own home.
“It’s a win-win—investors get higher returns and a secure exit strategy, while first home buyers get a genuine pathway to ownership without needing a massive deposit upfront.”
With demand skyrocketing, there is now a three-month waitlist for investors eager to participate in the program, which is exclusive to NSW and Queensland. Meanwhile, thousands of pre-approved homebuyers are waiting for their chance to move in and begin their journey toward homeownership.
Making Homeownership Achievable
PublicSquare’s Rent-to-Buy model is proving to be a game-changer in a housing market where many Australians feel locked out.
First home buyers can move into a property with just 1.1% of the valuation upfront—a fraction of a traditional deposit. Instead of struggling to save while renting, tenants pay an additional 50% in rent each week, which goes directly toward their deposit.
Over time, this structured approach helps renters build savings while locking in a pre-set purchase price range, shielding them from future property price hikes.
The program ensures that only financially capable applicants are approved.
In New South Wales, only 41% of applicants meet the eligibility criteria, meaning they can afford both market rent and the additional deposit-building rent premium.
In Queensland, just 28% of applicants qualify, highlighting the program’s commitment to responsible homeownership.
The Investor Shift
With 30% of Australians now owning an investment property and the ATO reporting that 60% of these properties don’t generate enough rent to cover mortgage repayments and upkeep costs, the Rent-to-Buy model is changing the way property investment works. Investors who take part in the program benefit from:
- 50% higher rental income, providing immediate financial relief while helping first home buyers.
- Guaranteed future sale price range, giving certainty for both investors and buyers.
- Long-term, committed tenants, as renters are future homeowners who treat the property as their own.
- Portfolio growth opportunities, using increased rental income to secure more investments.
Arnold says the overwhelming demand shows the model is working.
“We’ve got over 45,000 eager homebuyers ready to take their first step toward ownership. Investors are recognising they don’t have to be seen as the bad guys—they can be the ones giving renters a real shot at owning their home, while securing their own financial future,” he said.
A New Era
Instead of waiting years to save a deposit while paying ever-rising rent, first home buyers now have an opportunity to move in and gradually secure their home while avoiding skyrocketing property prices. Meanwhile, investors have a sustainable way to expand their portfolios and ensure steady, reliable rental income.
“This is about flipping the narrative,” Arnold said. “For once, investors and first home buyers aren’t on opposite sides—they’re working together. Rent-to-Buy is proving that investors don’t have to be the villains of the housing market; they can be the reason renters finally become homeowners.”
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Hospitality entrepreneurs Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh have set a new price benchmark for apartment living in Richmond with their purchase of a Carmine House penthouse.
2 min
Leading Australian development manager Fortis has secured a landmark off-the-plan sale at Richmond Square, with high-profile hospitality entrepreneurs Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh purchasing a 550sqm penthouse residence in Carmine House, establishing a new price benchmark for apartment living in Richmond.
The purchase underscores the continued demand for premium, amenity-rich residences in Melbourne’s inner east.
The transaction marks a significant milestone for the $330 million mixed-use precinct, reinforcing buyer appetite for integrated, lifestyle-led developments.
Richmond Square comprises two residential offerings – Carmine House and Wiltshire House – alongside a 57-room boutique hotel, strata office space and a curated mix of retail and lifestyle operators.
As part of Carmine House, residents have access to hotel-style amenities and services, including concierge, housekeeping, dry cleaning and in-residence food and beverage delivery.
Best known for building The Big Group into one of Australia’s leading luxury hospitality and events businesses, the Keebaughs were drawn to the precinct’s integrated lifestyle offering and its proximity to Melbourne’s hospitality, cultural and sporting precincts, while remaining well connected to the Mornington Peninsula, where they spend much of their time.
As well, Chyka is well known to Australian audiences as one of the original stars of The Real Housewives of Melbourne, appearing across three seasons of the hit reality series.
Alongside her business ventures with Bruce, she has built a public profile as a lifestyle authority, authoring two books on home and entertaining, Chyka Home and Chyka Celebrate.
“We weren’t simply looking for a luxury apartment,: the couple said. “We were looking for a home that delivers an exceptional lifestyle every day. The combination of design, walkability, security and the broader precinct vision for the broader precinct immediately stood out.”
Jordan Winada, Head of Acquisitions (Commercial) Victoria at Fortis, said the result highlights evolving priorities at the top end of the market.
“This sale reinforces that premium buyers are prioritising the complete lifestyle experience,” says Winada.
“They’re increasingly looking beyond the apartment itself and assessing the quality of the surrounding neighbourhood as well.”
Sean Cussell, Director at Christie’s International Real Estate Victoria, who negotiated the transaction, said the result reflects the lack of comparable product at this level of the market.
“There’s simply no direct comparison for this in Richmond. It’s not just an apartment; it’s part of a fully integrated precinct combining residential, hotel, workplace and lifestyle amenity,” Cussell said.
“Buyers are increasingly assessing the broader offering, from amenity and walkability to service and convenience. Projects that deliver a complete lifestyle experience continue to outperform.”
The sale contributes to Fortis’ strong national performance, with the business recording more than $124 million in sales since March, the last three all record-breaking penthouse sales across the country, reflecting sustained momentum across its portfolio and continued appetite for premium, design-driven developments.
This follows Fortis’ recent record-breaking Ruby House penthouse sale in Sydney’s Double Bay, which set a new benchmark for apartment living in the suburb and underscores the strength of demand at the ultra-premium end of the market.
Richmond Square will announce its hospitality and lifestyle operators in the coming weeks as the project progresses towards completion this year.
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