‘Buying a house is a scam’: Influencer’s shock bill stuns Gen Z

A young Aussie influencer has sparked a national conversation after revealing the shocking hidden cost of home ownership that left her “fuming” – and it’s something every first homebuyer needs to know about.

Celeste Healey, a Melbourne-based model, was on cloud nine after finally stepping onto the property ladder.

The dream of owning her own home was a reality. That is, until her first mail delivery arrived, delivering a brutal dose of reality.

“This is a thing called council rates,” a visibly stunned Celeste explained in a now-viral TikTok video.

“I’m about to pay $411 for my recycling bins – the general bin, the mixed recycling bin, the gardening bin.

“I didn’t realise that when you buy a house you have to pay to breathe.”

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She also expressed disappointment at the lack of education she received about ongoing housing costs.

“Why didn’t they teach this in school?” she questioned, highlighting a common lament among first-time buyers.

“That’s my first payment. There’s going to be a lot more where that comes from.”

The video, boldly captioned “buying a house is a scam,” has exploded across social media, racking up over 560,000 views since it was posted last week.

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The fact she had to pay for rubbish collection caught her by surprise.

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The comments section has also quickly became a confessional for other homeowners who’d experienced similar shocks. “Fees upon fees upon fees,” one user commiserated.

“I was so confused when I got my first council rate letter hahhahahaha,” another admitted.

But the real eye-opener came from those paying significantly more.

“What a bargain, would love to move there. Currently paying $6k,” one person wrote, putting Celeste’s $411 into stark perspective.

The hidden costs that catch Aussies out

Council rates are just one piece of the complex financial puzzle that often blindsides new homeowners.

These essential payments fund vital local amenities, including waste disposal, public libraries, parks, roads, drains, and streetlights.

However, the list of ongoing expenses extends far beyond just rates.

Homeowners must also budget for land tax, utility bills – such as water, electricity, and gas – home and contents insurance, ongoing maintenance costs, and strata fees.

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These recurring costs can easily add thousands of dollars annually on top of your mortgage repayments, turning the dream of home ownership into a financial tightrope walk for the unprepared.

And let’s not forget the “hidden costs” of the buying process itself.

Stamp duty, building and pest inspections, conveyancing fees, home loan application fees, and even moving costs all need to be factored in before you even get the keys.

Have you been caught out by unexpected home ownership costs? Share your story my emailing lydia.kellner@news.com.au