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New Kiwi reality show follows first-time home owners

A new Kiwi reality show puts the spotlight on first-home buyers.
Our First Home TV Show host

As first-time home ownership becomes an increasingly difficult task, young couples are turning to the “bank of mum and dad” for assistance – but what happens when the “bank” moves in? That’s the question being posed by brand-new TV One reality show Our First Home.

The “DIY drama with a difference” sees three sets of parents put their money and time on the line to help get their children on the property ladder, moving into a potentially profitable do-up for 10 weeks to help them place their foot firmly on the bottom rung.

For host Goran Paladin (33), buying his first home three years ago was “the hardest thing I have ever done”, as he did it without a partner or financial aid from his parents. While the end result of this new show – potentially making a profit on their fixer-upper – more than justifies the means of getting there, Goran admits there’s no way he could do what they’re doing.

“It almost broke me,” he recalls. “I ended up in a real do-er upper, which needed a whole new bathroom within the first six months. I felt like I was treading water – if not drowning.

“When it came time to doing little bits and pieces around the place, I finally called on my mum. She only helped with the curtains because that’s all I could take! We butted heads the whole time. How these families will do it for 10 weeks, I have no clue.”

While Goran’s background is “100% radio” – he has worked at Radio Sport for the last 13 years and is currently a co-host of The Sauce drive show with D’Arcy Waldegrave – his smooth, velvety tones have made him the perfect calming influence among the ensuing chaos on Our First Home.

Goran can relate to the show’s focus, having been confronted with the realities of buying a home in Auckland himself.

“They called me up for an audition after hearing me on air, thinking, ‘That guy has a pretty good voice – I wonder what he looks like?’ At some point, it was too late and they locked me in as the host of the show,” he jokes.

“It’s all pretty new and scary. From my own experiences, I’m really excited to be involved and can’t wait to help these guys out with their endeavours.”

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