Young First-Home Buyer Turns Property Journey Into Career Path

LJ Hooker Hamilton City salesperson Kylie Johnston with first home buyer

For 24-year-old Whatawhata local Summer Hainsworth, buying her first home wasn’t just a milestone moment for her family, it was the spark that reignited a long-held dream to work in real estate.

Summer and her husband purchased their first home in July 2025 after years of careful saving, long hours and disciplined budgeting, all while raising three young children and running a small business from home.

“We always wanted to own a home, even from when we were 19, but being so young it felt out of reach,” Summer said. “We’d been renting since we were 18 and were tired of inspections and not being able to truly make a place our own. We knew if we wanted it badly enough, we had to be really intentional.”

Her husband increased his KiwiSaver contributions to 10 percent early on, while the couple cut back on non-essentials and saved wherever possible.

“My husband worked long hours, late nights and early mornings for years, while I ran our small business from home with our three kids. It definitely wasn’t easy, but it was worth every sacrifice.”

That journey was made smoother with the guidance of LJ Hooker Hamilton City salesperson Kylie Johnston, who Summer credits as a pivotal figure in both their successful purchase and her growing passion for the industry.

“As first-home buyers, we had no idea what we were doing or what anything meant,” Summer said.

“Kylie explained everything, answered every question thoroughly and was genuinely there for us every step of the way. When it felt like no one was listening, she pointed us in the right direction and even referred us to a broker who really took the time to understand our situation.”

“It felt like Kylie actually cared. That made the whole journey flow so effortlessly.”

Working with Summer and her family was a reminder of why strong communication and follow-through matter, particularly for younger buyers, Kylie Johnston said.

“Summer and her husband were incredibly committed from day one. They had a clear goal, worked hard for it and just needed someone to take the time to listen and guide them through the process.

“First-home buyers often feel overwhelmed, so my role is to make sure they feel informed, supported and confident at every stage.”

Since moving in, the family has wasted no time making the house their own.

“There’s nothing like sitting in your living room knowing it’s yours – no more rent, no more inspections,” Summer said.

“We’ve already renovated our kids’ bedrooms, with a Lightning McQueen room and a racing car room. They absolutely love it, and we’ve got plenty more projects planned.”

That positive experience has also helped Summer reconnect with a dream she first voiced at just 15 years old.

“When my dad and stepmum bought their first home, I told the agent I wanted to work in real estate one day,” she said.

“Life happened and I didn’t know how to get into the industry when I was older. But after buying our home, I mentioned it to Kylie. She pointed me in the right direction and supported me through my studies.”

Now nearing the completion of her real estate qualifications, Summer is preparing for the next chapter, while continuing to run her car accessories business, Midnight Madness, alongside her husband.

“This business is my heart and soul, and it will keep running when I start my real estate journey,” she said.

“I’m also a stay-at-home mum to three boys under five, which is a full-time job on its own, but that won’t stop me from chasing my dream.”

For Johnston, seeing clients come full circle into the industry is especially rewarding.

“Summer has such a genuine understanding of what buyers go through because she’s lived it,” Johnston said.

“She brings empathy, drive and real-world experience. I have no doubt she’ll be an incredible asset to the industry.”

LJ Hooker has been pioneering real estate since opening of the first LJ Hooker office in Maroubra, a suburb in Sydney’s east, in 1928. Since then, it has grown to become a leading real estate brand in Australia and New Zealand.

Collectively, LJ Hooker is one of the largest residential and commercial sales and property management networks in Australia and New Zealand, comprising 390 business and a team of 4,000 sales professionals, property managers and support staff.

In 2024, LJ Hooker facilitated real estate transactions totaling more than NZD$22 billion, while managing one of the largest property portfolios in the region, overseeing approximately 100,000 properties valued at NZD$90 billion for investors.