Blog post by Empower Wealth

Finding Your Forever Home

Empower Wealth’s new division is solely dedicated to supporting owner-occupiers in their journey to homeownership.

As Bryce and Ben regularly share on The Property Couch, property is unlike any other asset class. Here, it’s the everyday owner-occupiers – those individuals and families looking to secure a home to live in – who dominate the market.

Every home-hunter has their own unique story and aspirations. For them, a home isn’t simply a place to live—it’s about building a life, personalising spaces, and creating memories with loved ones.

That’s why, after years of client requests, Empower Wealth is thrilled to announce its dedicated Owner-Occupier division within its Buyer’s Agent team!

“Empower Wealth has traditionally focused on assisting property investors and hybrid briefs, however, overtime there has been a significant increase in demand from clients seeking guidance on purchasing their next home, forever home or first home,” says Stephanie Michael, Head of Empower Wealth’s Buyers Agency.

“Recognising that owner-occupiers have distinct needs—such as prioritising lifestyle, emotional connection, and long-term stability—the company saw the necessity to establish a dedicated division.”

“This specialisation ensures that owner-occupier clients receive tailored advice and strategies aligned with their unique goals.

As such, Empower Wealth has just welcomed it’s first specialised Owner-Occupier Buyer’s Agent in Victoria—Shane Pope. Shane’s role is exclusively focused on helping individuals and families to find properties that match their lifestyle and provide lasting value—creating the perfect ‘Forever Home.’

With more than a decade of experience in the real estate industry, Shane’s background includes owning and operating a successful real estate office and managing a boutique brokerage service. As a qualified and successful auctioneer for seven years, he also is well versed in property valuation, negotiation, and market analysis.

“His ability to interpret market dynamics and advocate effectively has consistently led clients to make informed decisions aligned with their goals,” adds Stephanie.

“Shane thrives professionally by serving as both the “sword and shield” for his clients in the marketplace, ensuring that every client makes the best decision for themselves, armed with comprehensive knowledge gathered through his experience and deep understanding of relevant markets.”

Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading your family, or downsizing for simplicity, Shane and Empower Wealth’s Buyers Agency can help you navigate each step of this unique and meaningful journey.

Empower Wealth’s tailored owner-occupier support includes:

Skilled negotiation strategies
Personalised advice designed specifically for owner-occupiers
Exclusive access to off-market and pre-market opportunities
Rigorous property evaluations to ensure enduring quality

Here’s a cosy family home that was recently secured by Empower Wealth’s Buyers Agency:

To see more properties secured by Empower Wealth’s experienced Buyers Agents, check out their Property Success Stories—or hear directly from their happy clients in their full testimonial library here!

Why Empower Wealth’s focus on the people and their stories behind the property is what profoundly influences it’s results.

“By understanding each client’s unique journey, motivations, and dreams, the team can craft customised strategies that resonate on a personal level,” Stephanie says.

“This empathetic and client-centric methodology fosters trust and ensures that the advice provided aligns seamlessly with the individual’s vision for homeownership.”

For any clients searching for a home, Stephanie acknowledges that it’s an emotional decision which requires a much more nuanced and customised process.

“For owner-occupiers, their primary focus is on finding a home that meets personal and family needs, which involves considerations like proximity to schools, workplaces, and lifestyle and community amenities,” she says. “Emotional factors play a significant role, making the decision-making process deeply personal. Additionally, financing structures and government incentives can differ for owner-occupiers, requiring specialised knowledge to navigate effectively.”

In contrast, property investors typically prioritise potential rental yields, capital growth, and market trends, meaning they have a greater focus on the financial performance of the property rather than personal lifestyle considerations.

“We recognise and understand this difference which is why we have dedicated buyer agents for each outcome,” Stephanie adds.

The importance of securing a forever home cannot be understated.

“Several years ago, we had a young couple that were newly married and ready to find their forever home in the leafy inner eastern suburbs,” shares Stephanie. “They desired specific streets due to their proximity to transport, work and schools for their future kids. When they came to us, they had already been looking for 6 months and were unsuccessful.”

Through Empower Wealth’s custom targeted approach, they were able to secure an off-market listing and negotiate a purchase within the client’s budget and in one of their desired streets.

“They were thrilled with the outcome and not long after settlement they got pregnant with their first child,” says Stephanie.

“Through finding their forever home they felt a sense of security and that they could set some routes and finally start their family.”

With Empower Wealth starting this division focused solely in Victoria, the advisory looks forward to growing it’s team into other states as demand from people seeking homes continues to grow.

“With a dedicated division, we are equipped more than ever to meet this growing demand from owner occupiers in such an important stage of their lives,” Stephanie says. “With a dedicated division, we are now equipped to meet this important stage in their life.”

Ready to start your next chapter? Simply fill in the form below, select “Finding a Home” from the drop-down menu, and Shane and our team will reach out.

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Categories: Property Investment Advice

Tags: Buyers Agent, owner occupier, Professional Advice, Victorian, Young family