From Berlin to Bondi: A young family's journey towards buying their first home

In our new Buyer Diary series, you’ll meet recent first-home buyers, next-home buyers, investors and retirees from around the country and discover how they made their property purchases.

After more than a decade in Berlin, Emma and Albert MacKenzie returned to Australia in late 2024 with their newborn son, Luca, ready to put down roots as a family.

The couple – Emma is Australian and Albert is German – met while studying at the University of Queensland in their early twenties and moved to Europe soon after, never imagining they’d stay so long.

But with the arrival of their first child, the pull of family, stability and life by the sea brought them home.

What followed was a crash course in Sydney’s competitive property market, the discovery of a tired Bondi apartment with promise, and a creative, family-backed financing plan to help bring it to life.

In this Buyers’ Diary, Emma explains how they made it work.

When did you begin your property search, and what was the early part of the process like?

I’d been saving listings on Domain for years, but we officially started house hunting in February 2025 after arriving in Sydney. The whole experience was a bit of a roller-coaster. We attended countless viewings, had contracts reviewed by our lawyer, and were ready to make offers. At one point, I was absolutely convinced we’d found the apartment. We were prepared to put in an offer, but in hindsight, I’m so glad we didn’t get it.

What led you to the apartment you eventually bought, and how did that decision come together?

Our buyer’s agent, Alicia Buck, encouraged us to attend as many viewings as possible to really understand what was out there and avoid feeling like we were settling, which really helped. The apartment we ended up buying didn’t impress me at first – I thought it was too dark and clearly needed work – but something made me go back. On the second visit, I saw the potential, and Albert trusted my gut. From there, everything happened surprisingly quickly.

How long did it take you to save for your deposit, and how did you make the financing work?

We saved for at least seven years. Rent in Berlin was fairly manageable, so we got into the habit of investing monthly in shares. We eventually sold those earlier this year, just before buying. We also spoke to a financial planner, which was sobering but essential. It helped us understand the real costs and set a comfortable upper limit. We ended up buying for $1.29 million, just under our budget and leaving some buffer for renovation – though not quite enough.

Can you tell us about the renovation funding arrangement with your parents?

We spoke to a builder about updating the kitchen, bathroom, floors, lighting and paint, and quickly realised the apartment needed more work than we could afford. That’s when my mum suggested a solution. She and my dad lent us the remaining funds, and, in return, they will receive a percentage of the equity gain when we eventually sell. It’s a win-win: they see it as an investment, and we’re able to make the space much more comfortable from the outset, without having to move in and out again, which felt especially important with Luca.

Why did you choose Bondi after so many years overseas?

After Berlin’s grey winters, I longed for the sun and the sea. If we were going to move back, we wanted to be near the city but also close to nature. Sure, we could have bought more space further out, but for us, the lifestyle in this location was worth the trade-off. Being near the beach, close to family, and connected to the city was our top priority.

What’s been the biggest challenge in the buying journey so far?

Letting go of the idea of the “perfect” home. I had to get real about what was achievable. Not having a bath, for instance, was something I had to accept. And Albert had to let go of comparisons to Berlin, where your money goes a lot further. Our buyer’s agent reminded us that compromise is part of every budget. This isn’t our forever home, it’s our start. That mindset helped us move forward.

Did you work with any other professionals to support your journey?

Yes, and I’m so glad we did. Alicia Buck from Brady Marcs helped us find the right property and made sure we stayed grounded. We also worked with Michael Luca at Love Home Loans and AJ Sridaran at Hindsight Legal. I honestly feel like they’re the hardest-working people in real estate. It took a team, and we had a great one.

What’s next for you? What are you most looking forward to?

We’re hoping to move in by August, once the renovation is finished. After living in Berlin, then staying with my family in Brisbane, and now renting in Sydney, it’s going to mean so much to have our own space. We’ve always lived in other people’s homes, and soon, we finally get to live in one that’s truly ours.