A young rugby player and his girlfriend have managed to save for two houses and say anyone can do it if they stop partying and buying expensive cars.
The rugby union fullback Bryce Hegarty, who plays for the Queensland Reds, is well on his way to purchasing his second property at the age of 26.
Hegarty, who is also a part-time law student, said he had been thinking about being a homeowner while his friends were still partying.
The 26-year-old has spent years meticulously counting every dollar and has kept on top of his savings to ensure he would be able to buy a property in his hometown of Brisbane.
Australian rugby union fullback Bryce Hegarty (pictured with girlfriend Hannah Riall) is well on his way to purchasing his second property at the age of 26
Hegarty, who is also a part-time law student, said he had been thinking about being a homeowner while his friends were still partying
The 26-year-old has spent years meticulously counting every dollar and has kept on top of his savings to ensure he would be able to buy a property in his hometown of Brisbane
‘I’ve always been interested in property, especially property in certain areas of Brisbane. I’ve always been intent on buying in the suburbs I know well,’ he told Domain.
Hegarty spent much of his childhood at his grandparents’ home in Michelton, just 10km north-west of the CBD, and it was this time that inspired his first purchase in 2015.
At just 23, the fullback aimed to buy as close to the city as he could afford, so he settled on Mitchelton as he believed it would be a good investment.
Hegarty said he was keen to buy the investment property while he was young while also making a good investment, which is what pushed him to buy.
For a 23-year-old making their first purchase it was a dream – he found a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house on a decent block of land and decided he wanted it.
After making his first ever offer of $550,000 he was accepted, which made him believe it could always be that easy.
However, since then he has decided to buy another property and has since admitted that he didn’t realise how hard it really was.
‘The first house I made an offer on I bought. It was so easy. I had no idea how hard buying a house could actually be,’ Hegarty said.
This year Hegarty has taken on the challenge of purchasing his second property in the sought-after family suburb of Ashgrove, just 4km north-west of the CBD.
Hegarty missed out on a cottage at 25 Oleander Drive in Ashgrove (pictured) after an interstate couple bought it for $900,000
At just 23, the fullback aimed to buy as close to the city as he could afford, so he settled on Mitchelton as he believed it would be a good investment
His long-term girlfriend, Hannah Riall (pictured), is also on the search for her first property – but is looking to buy separately from her rugby boyfriend
He has faced a higher demand in the suburb, which puts him up against more competition.
He aimed to put away between $800,000-$1million for a home with potential for renovation, but is yet to find anything.
Hegarty said he’s missed out on multiple houses in Ashgroves, with the most recent being lost to a ‘family from interstate’.
The 26-year-old said he now understands how frustrating it is for first-home buyers who are constantly missing out on properties.
His long-term girlfriend, Hannah Riall, is also on the search for her first property – but is looking to buy separately from her rugby boyfriend.
While they understand that buying their next property together would be easier, they are hoping to soon own three properties between them.
Hegarty said he has become diligent with his savings over the last year, and always sets out a plan of how to use his money.
‘I’ve found being organised for the week helps so much with my meal plan and eating habits, particularly with football. I also don’t have a great car – that sort of stuff doesn’t interest me,’ he said.
Desperate to find a home in Ashgrove, the rugby union player has started to put letters in homeowner’s letter-boxes in the hopes one may sell to him.
The 26-year-old said he is now looking at trying to find an off-market deal.
With his Michelton house available for lease in just four weeks, the ambitious couple have set themselves a goal of owning a new property in Ashgrove in that time.
However, if they don’t happen to find themselves lucky they have decided to move into the Michelton property for the meantime.
Desperate to find a home in Ashgrove, the rugby union player has started to put letters in homeowner’s letter-boxes in the hopes one may sell to him