I know, Jess, these are rough times for saving. Quite a few of our clients are using family equity. You get an 80% LVR loan on the new house you buy, then you get another loan for the balance secured by both the new property and your parents' property. (Of course this is if your parents are agreeable, and the bank specifies that they have to receive independent legal advice. Plus, they need to have enough equity in their property to be able to help you out of course.)