If you think buying your first home in your 20s is too tough, Hailee’s story might just change your mind.
Hailee Dyer has never been the kind of person to sit around waiting for things to happen. At just 22, she’s already bought her first home in Prospect – a goal she’s worked toward since she was a teenager.
“I’ve lived with my grandparents since I was 14, and I always knew it wasn’t going to be a forever thing – I couldn’t stay there until I’m 30,” she says.
“So the moment I left school, I got my VET Certificate in Individual Care and started working in aged care. I’ve saved up all my money pretty much since I was 18.”
Between studying full-time to become a registered nurse and working full-time at an aged care facility, Hailee’s days are packed – but her determination has paid off.
Now, she’s preparing to move into her first home at Prospect Corner, just seven kilometres from Adelaide’s CBD.
Finding the perfect place
Hailee’s journey to finding her own place started with a tip from a friend. “One of my girlfriends was looking into Prospect Corner. She didn’t buy anything, but she showed me the website,” Hailee says.
A bit of research later, and she was totally sold. “Two bedrooms, and the location is perfect! It’s right next to the CBD and the train station. My grandma doesn’t drive, so she can catch the train to come and see me as much as she wants. Plus, there’s the shopping centre right there too.”
Being right by the train station also gives Hailee peace of mind for her future. “I don’t know which hospital I’ll end up working at when I graduate, so from there, I can go anywhere.”
And she doesn’t just mean for work: “I’m from the south so I love the beaches,” Hailee says. “Henley Beach won’t be too far on the train or in the car from Prospect Corner.”
Prospect Corner: More than just a home
So, what is Prospect Corner? It’s a new $80 million development with more than just a prime location near the CBD – it’s designed to be a place where community, convenience and affordability come together.
Up to 55 per cent of its 108 townhouses and 100 rental apartments will be affordable, and 20 per cent of the site will be green spaces, including a central park with a barbeque area, outdoor gym and kids’ nature play area.
“I thought that was really nice,” Hailee says about the master plan. “Everyone’s wrapped around this big park in the middle.”
“Plus, I have a lot of siblings that are quite a lot younger than me, so when they want to come and visit, we can just go across to the park and they’ll have a place to play. It’s super convenient.”
Making home ownership possible: Renewal SA and HomeSeeker SA
Behind developments like Prospect Corner is Renewal SA, a state government agency focused on urban renewal and increasing housing supply in South Australia. Their goal is to create accessible and affordable living options for all South Australians – including people like Hailee.
Then there’s HomeSeeker SA, a program under the Department for Housing and Urban Development. HomeSeeker SA’s website showcases affordable homes for sale at a fixed price to eligible buyers and helpful information on the house buying process, including information on the Shared Equity Option – available through HomeStart – where the government co-invests in your home to reduce the loan amount you need to take on.
“It takes off heaps on my loan,” says Hailee. “Also, I can refinance at any stage, but I don’t have to do that. I can leave it like that. And, because I only need to make repayments on the non-SEO part of my loan it’s less repayment – less everything, pretty much, which makes everything way more affordable.”
Support that makes a difference
For more details on how the scheme works, you can check out HomeSeeker SA.
Hailee also found the staff incredibly helpful throughout the process. “Because I’m younger and I don’t have much knowledge about buying houses, they’ve really explained everything in depth about what HomeSeeker is, how it works, and what will benefit me in the future. They’re really good.”
On top of the shared equity scheme, there are a whole lot more state government grants and assistance people like Hailee can tap into for additional support. These include the First Home Owner Grant and the stamp duty concession, as well as low-deposit home loans through HomeStart.
Hailee’s advice for first home buyers
When it comes to buying your first home in your 20s, Hailee’s advice is to “just do it”.
“There’s no perfect time to wait for. There’s not going to be a perfect opportunity to get into the market. That quote is true that ‘rent money is dead money’.”
But she does know how tough it is right now to find the home of your dreams – she’s been searching since she was 18. That’s why she’s already looking forward to being one of the first people to move into Prospect Corner in mid-2025.
“Right now it’s still being built,” she says. “I go past it quite a bit to have a look. It’s actually coming along really quick now – they’re doing bricks. It just all happens – I don’t have to do anything,” she says.
She did have the chance to personalise her future space during planning, though. “I got to make my selections and add on a niche and a couple of nice mirrored cabinets – just a couple of cool things to make it mine.”
More opportunities on the horizon: Other Renewal SA projects
If Hailee’s story has you feeling inspired, you’ll be pleased to know that Renewal SA and its partners have other projects underway, all aimed at increasing housing options at every price point across Adelaide. Here’s a quick rundown:
1. Bowden
- Location: 2.5 km from Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 16.3 hectares
- What’s Happening: A vibrant, inner-city community with 2,500 dwellings planned upon completion. This award-winning development prioritises sustainability, featuring a 6-star Green Star Community Rating.
- Current Stage: Underway
- Learn More: Bowden Life
2. Playford Alive
- Location: 30 km from Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 1,000 hectares
- What’s Happening: One of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects, Playford Alive will welcome over 40,000 residents upon completion. It includes schools, medical centres, parks, and even a $250 million town centre, with a 1,300-home extension, Playford Alive East, just announced.
- Current Stage: Underway
- Learn More: Playford Alive
3. Seaton
- Location: 11 km from Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 38.5 hectares
- What’s happening: The Seaton community will be transformed with 1,450 new homes, with nearly half of them designated as affordable housing. This redevelopment, in partnership with the South Australian Housing Trust, also features upgraded streetscapes and green spaces.
- Current stage: Underway
- Learn more: Seaton Renewal
4. Southwark (Former West End Brewery)
- Location: Two km from Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 8.4 hectares
- What’s happening: A $1 billion redevelopment that will create up to 1,300 new homes and integrate public open spaces along the River Torrens. Heritage elements, like Colonel Light’s homestead site, will be preserved.
- Current stage: Planning
- Learn more: Thebarton Project
5. Tapangka on Franklin
- Location: Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 0.685 hectares
- What’s happening: The former Adelaide Bus Station site, Tapangka will feature 392 apartments and more than 200 hotel rooms, with at least 35 per cent of housing offered as affordable.
- Current stage: Planning
- Learn more: Tapangka on Franklin
6. Aldinga
- Location: 40 km from Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 45 hectares
- What’s happening: This greenfield site will support 800 new homes in Adelaide’s south, combining sustainability and community-driven design, which is being delivered by Villawood Properties. It integrates future transport links like the proposed Aldinga rail extension.
- Current stage: Planning
- Learn more: Aldinga Development
7. Forestville (Former Le Cornu site)
- Location: Four km southwest of Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 3.6 hectares
- What’s happening: A $250 million redevelopment featuring apartments, townhouses, and SA’s first rooftop urban farm. The project, being developed by Buildtec, Peet and Commercial Retail group, will also include a bustling market square with cafes, retail and a Green Urban School.
- Current stage: Underway
- Learn more: Forestville Project
8. Magill (UniSA campus)
- Location: Nine km from Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 14.62 hectares
- What’s happening: A meticulously planned residential community with new homes, extensive green spaces, and preservation of heritage landmarks like Murray House.
- Current stage: Planning
- Learn more: Magill Project
9. Noarlunga
- Location: 36.7 km from Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 22 hectares
- What’s happening: Over 600 homes are planned for this regional centre, combining affordable and market housing with 12.5 per cent open space and sustainable design practices.
- Current stage: Planning
- Learn more: Noarlunga Development
10. Oakden
- Location: 10 km from Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 52 hectares
- What’s happening: Up to 1,500 new homes are being delivered by Villawood Properties in this master-planned development, which features diverse housing options and amenities like a community centre and open spaces.
- Current stage: Underway
- Learn more: Oakden Project
11. Onkaparinga Heights
- Location: 31.9 km from Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 68 hectares
- What’s happening: A master-planned community delivering 1,000 new homes, with at least 20 per cent designated as affordable housing. Adjacent developments will add another 1,000 homes, ensuring a well-connected and serviced neighbourhood.
- Current stage: Planning
- Learn more: Onkaparinga Heights
12. Our Port (Port Adelaide)
- Location: 14 km from Adelaide CBD
- Scale: 40 hectares
- What’s happening: A rejuvenated waterfront community combining heritage preservation with contemporary living. Over 4,000 homes are planned, alongside public promenades, historic building restorations, and vibrant retail and cultural spaces.
- Current stage: Underway
- Learn more: Our Port
For more information on affordable housing options and upcoming developments, visit Renewal SA and HomeSeeker SA.
