From her first job to her first home – Simone’s journey with Queensland Country Bank
At just 15, Simone opened her first bank account with Queensland Country Bank in Townsville. It was her first job, her first pay check, and the beginning of a long-standing relationship that would one day help her into her very first home.
Now 38 and based in Far North Queensland, Simone recently achieved her dream of home ownership, navigating the process solo, with the help of her trusted bank and the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee.
“I’ve always felt like part of the family with Queensland Country Bank, that feeling of connection has never changed,” Simone says.
How One Lending Specialist Made All the Difference
When the Federal Government announced changes around housing affordability in the lead-up to the last election, Simone says she knew it was time to get serious. Working with the bank to get pre-approval and using their SmartBudget facility, she got herself loan-ready.
But it was Lending Specialist Amanda who made the biggest difference.
“Amanda has just been AMAZING,” Simone says. “She guided me through the entire process, from a personal loan for my car last year to this much bigger, much more terrifying step of buying my first home.”
“As a first home buyer on my own, I was full of anxiety. There are so many unknowns – all the fees with conveyancers and real estate agents – and Amanda made everything feel easy.”
“I could walk in anytime, sit down, and she’d break it all down with zero judgement. Every time I was uncertain, she’d just say, ‘You’ll be fine – come in, we’ll go through it together.’ And we did.”
Although she wasn’t eligible for the Queensland First Home Owner Grant because she purchased an existing property, the Regional Guarantee made all the difference.
“I’m forever grateful that the same bank I joined as a teenager was the one that helped me into my home,” Simone says. “Honestly – I actually couldn’t be happier.”
Why We Do What We Do
Reflecting on Simone’s story, Amanda, Lending specialist at Queensland Country Bank said it’s a powerful reminder of why we do what we do here at Queensland Country Bank. “It’s a privilege to support Members through every step, from budgeting and pre-approval to navigating the first home buying process. I was especially touched by Simones’s kind words and proud to help make the experience a little less daunting. Knowing that the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee could play a part in making her dream a reality is so rewarding, and I’d like to thank Simone for trusting us to be a part of her journey.”
Simone’s journey reflects our commitment to Members, and of the values our people stand by. Our Members come first - always. Our teams take the time to listen, explain, and guide you to feeling confident at every step, whether you’re opening your first account, budgeting, or buying a home.
SmartBudget Spotlight:
SmartBudget is our easy-to-use bill management tool that takes the stress out of budgeting. It works by calculating your regular allocated expenses, such as rent, utilities, insurance and loan repayments - and sets aside a fixed amount from your pay into a dedicated SmartBudget account.
Instead of facing big, unpredictable bills SmartBudget smooths these costs into manageable, regular payment so you can plan ahead. This helps Members take control of their cash flow, avoid bill shock and plan ahead with confidence.
With SmartBudget you can:
- Simplify bill repayments by having them managed in one place
- Budget smarter with consistent, predictable payments
- Reduce unexpected bills by planning ahead
It is a practical way to make money more management easier and ensure your allocated bills are covered, giving you peace of mind and more control over your finances.
Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply. Check if the product is right for you. Visit QueenslandCountry.Bank to learn more