From Renters to Homeowners Worth Nearly $1 Million: Jessica & Earl’s Story

Jessica and Earl spent nearly ten years trapped in the rental cycle. Like many Australian families, they worked hard but felt like they were running in place, watching their rent payments disappear month after month. Over nearly a decade, they estimate they spent more than $250,000 on rent—with nothing to show for it.

For them, buying a home always felt out of reach. They believed the path to ownership required a massive deposit and perfect credit—things they didn’t have. But everything changed when they came across Darren Walters and No1 Property Guide.

From their first conversation with Darren, Jessica and Earl felt something shift. Unlike others they’d spoken to, Darren focused on solutions instead of obstacles. He listened to their situation, asked what they wanted, and worked with them to build a plan that fit their life—not traditional lending expectations.

With Darren’s no or low deposit system, they realised that a big deposit wasn’t necessary after all. Guided step-by-step by the No1 Property Guide team, they opted to build a brand-new home in Palm View on the Sunshine Coast in 2019, priced at $486,000.

What felt impossible for years suddenly became a reality. But their journey didn’t stop at getting the keys. In just five years, their home’s value nearly doubled. Today, their property is worth $947,000—giving them over $460,000 in equity without needing the large upfront investment they once feared.

This equity has opened doors they never expected. It’s given them a financial safety net, the confidence to plan for their future, and options they thought only belonged to wealthier families. Their home is no longer just a place to live—it’s become the foundation for long-term security.

More than the financial gain, homeownership brought Jessica and Earl a sense of security and pride they’d never known. It allowed them to break a family pattern, becoming the first in their family to own a home and changing what future generations could expect.

For Jessica, it’s about more than numbers on paper. Walking through the door of a home they own, seeing their children grow up with stability, and knowing they’ve created something lasting—that’s what truly matters. It’s a daily reminder that their hard work finally paid off in a way renting never could.

Darren and the No1 Property Guide team supported Jessica and Earl every step of the way. From strengthening their borrowing capacity to making sure they were settled in by Christmas, the team handled the details so Jessica and Earl could focus on their future. Today, their focus is on building even further. With Darren’s continued advice, they’re exploring investment options and considering future properties to secure their retirement.

Their advice to other families stuck renting? Don’t assume it’s impossible. Jessica and Earl nearly missed their chance because they believed homeownership was out of their reach. It only took one conversation to change their future.