Isabella Clark and Bailey Bergmans are saving for their first home in Melbourne’s east, despite rising costs and rental pressure. Picture: Brendan Beckett
Isabella Clark and Bailey Bergmans are in the thick of wedding planning — but their bigger dream is saving for their first home together.
The couple — a counselling student and a chef — have been together for nearly five years and are aiming to buy a modest home in Melbourne’s east or southeast before they tie the knot.
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Currently living apart, Ms Clark lives with her parents in Lysterfield, while Mr Bergmans rents closer to work, where he juggles two jobs: one cooking in a busy food truck, the other with small-batch condiment maker Uncle Mungo’s.
Ms Clark works close to full-time hours while studying a postgraduate degree in counselling, and hopes to work in schools or art therapy in the future.
The pair are saving towards a 20 per cent deposit, but the financial pressure of high rents and rising costs has made the goal harder to reach.
“Some weeks it’s really scraping the barrel,” Mr Bergmans said.
The Gen Z couple is juggling rent, study and two jobs as they work toward home ownership. Picture: Brendan Beckett
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“We’ve had to give up a lot — concerts, little trips, things like that — but we’re committed to making it happen.”
Ms Clark said saving for a home had been her goal since she was young.
“I’ve been saving since I was a kid,” she said.
“It’s always been about having that freedom — being able to live for myself and with Bailey.”
Ms Clark, a counselling student, and Mr Bergmans, a chef, said owning a home means independence and a future together.. Picture: Brendan Beckett
The couple is searching for older, affordable homes in the outer east and southeast, with a focus on character and renovation potential.
“We’re not looking for anything brand new,” Mr Bergmans said.
“I actually love DIY and working with my hands, so a fixer-upper suits us.”
They said their ideal property would have enough space to grow into — but didn’t need to be perfect from the outset.
After nearly five years together, the couple hopes to buy before their wedding and finally live under one roof. Picture: Brendan Beckett
“We just want somewhere liveable,” Ms Clark said.
“Something that’s ours.”
While they’re aware of government support schemes for first-home buyers, both said the process felt difficult to navigate without guidance.
“You hear about the schemes, but figuring out what you’re eligible for isn’t easy,” Ms Clark said.
Despite the challenges, they remain hopeful — and already know how they’ll celebrate when the time comes.
“I’ll probably throw myself on the floor and do snow angels,” Ms Clark said.
It comes as new modelling by KPMG warns how much more first-home buyers will need to be earning next year to cope with a mortgage if they don’t buy a home in 2025.
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