Field notes

What Australian buyers need to know.

Data, guides, and things we wish someone told us before we bought. Written plainly, sourced from public records.

All guides

9 articles

The things that move the needle when you're choosing a home.

CostsMarch 2026

5% vs 20% deposit: what actually changes

Same property, different deposit. See how LMI, monthly repayments, and total interest change with an interactive comparison tool.

SchemesMarch 2026

Help to Buy: what happens when you sell

The government co-owns your home. When you sell, they take their share. Interactive tool showing exactly what that means for you.

First homeMarch 2026

What a first home actually costs on your salary

Mortgage repayments are only part of the picture. Here's what first home buyers really pay each month, as a percentage of take-home income. Includes an interactive calculator.

BushfireMarch 2026

What is a BAL rating and why should you care?

BAL stands for Bushfire Attack Level. It determines your insurance costs, building requirements, and whether you can even get a loan. Here's what each level means.

SchoolsMarch 2026

The school catchment trap: one street can cost you $100k

Being 200 metres on the wrong side of a catchment boundary means your kids go to a different school. Most buyers don't check until it's too late.

FloodMarch 2026

How to check if a property is in a flood zone

After the 2022 floods, insurance premiums in affected areas tripled. Every state publishes flood mapping data. Here's how to read it.

CostsFebruary 2026

The true cost of buying a home in 2026

Stamp duty is just the start. Council rates, water, strata levies, insurance, tolls, and maintenance add up to thousands per year most buyers don't budget for.

NBNFebruary 2026

FTTP vs FTTN: why your NBN type matters more than you think

If you work from home, the difference between fibre to the premises and fibre to the node is the difference between a video call that works and one that doesn't.

PricingJanuary 2026

How to use comparable sales to avoid overpaying

Agents set the price guide. But comparable sales data tells you what the market actually thinks. Here's how to read it and when to walk away.