If you’ve ever fallen down an interiors rabbit hole on Instagram or wondered how people actually make it work when buying their first home, this week’s episode of Brendan Courtney’s My First Home delivers both inspiration and honesty in equal measure.
This fab podcast series celebrates the joy, chaos and triumph of buying your first home.
Each week, a new story proves that while no two journeys are the same, the end goal is always worth it.
This week’s guests, Mark Rogers and Paul Kinsella, partners in life and co-hosts of the Glow Home podcast, share a refreshingly real take on their path to homeownership.
From professional dancers to creatives to DIY enthusiasts, their story is one of evolution, resilience and a lot of learning on the job.
Their first home was a two up, two down fixer-upper in Drumcondra that quickly turned into a full-scale renovation project.
"It was a wreck of a house… but we made it something super special for us," Paul says.
That process - dust, stress and all - became the foundation for the couple’s now-thriving online presence, documenting every step from painting cabinets to rethinking layouts.
Indeed, the pair say that posting their progress kept them motivated through the difficult patches.
From nearly blowing up the house with DIY electrics to discovering the value of patience, their story is packed with insights for anyone starting out.
"I learned I’m impatient… but if you rush something, it’s not going to work," Paul admits.
Photo: Justin Farrelly.
Like many first-time buyers, Mark and Paul didn’t start with a long-term plan. In fact, their journey began almost by accident after their rental situation changed.
Mark explains, "We weren’t the people who had been saving for years… we just tried, and suddenly we had mortgage approval."
Their honesty is part of what makes this episode so relatable. They didn’t have all the answers, but they figured it out as they went.
After tackling a major renovation in their first home (and learning some hard lessons along the way), their second move was much more intentional.
"We said, we are not doing that again. You can paint the walls - and that’s it," Paul says.
Now settled in a home they describe as "for life," the couple have found not just comfort, but clarity in what matters most: space, light and location.
They also emphasise the importance of living in a space before making big decisions - something many buyers overlook in the excitement.
And when it comes to the mortgage process?
Mark says, "Knowing where you are is empowering… it’s not a 'no,' it’s just 'not yet.’"
This is why AIB mortgage advisors are so crucial to the application process.
Just like Mark and Paul’s journey, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to buying a home. Whether you’re renting, renovating or just starting to think about saving, their story proves that progress often comes from simply taking the first step.
If you’re feeling inspired, now’s the time to act. Listen to this week’s episode of My First Home with AIB and explore what’s possible for you.
For more expert advice and tales from the trenches of first time buying, tune into new episodes of Brendan Courtney's My First Home every Monday on all podcast platforms
For more information or to speak to a mortgage advisor, checkout aib.ie.
