Allison Langdon, 60 Minutes reporter and Weekend Today anchor, on her auction bidding nerves

The TV journalist says the best thing about buying a property was knowing it was an investment in the future.

What is your strongest memory of your childhood home?

The hideous green carpet that we lived with until I was probably 10 years old. It made the whole house dark and rather gloomy. Mind you, living in the country we didn’t spend too much time indoors and mum and dad eventually replaced it – but jeez it was ugly.
 
What do you recall about buying your first home?

Turning up to the auction alone, with a dry throat – not for a moment thinking I’d actually get the place. I recall that initial feeling of elation and triumph turning to utter fear and terror, wondering had I been duped and paid too much. Thankfully it was a good investment.
 
What was the best thing about home ownership?

Feeling like a grown up for the first time in your life. Knowing that you’ve invested in your future in a way, and that the money you fork out each month isn’t going to someone else.
 
And the worst?

The mortgage.
 
Were you already schooled in the world of real estate or was it a big learning curve? 

It was a massive learning curve, even some of the language that is used initially confused me. There is so much pressure to make good decisions, the wrong one could financially devastate you.
 
What are your tips for organising a home?

Don’t ask me, on the home front I’m incredibly disorganised. My husband, thankfully, is not.
 
Do you have a favourite room?

Back deck, specifically the day bed on the back deck. It gets gorgeous sunlight and is the perfect place to kick back with a good book.
 
What’s the best household item you own (and why)?

Right now, baby locks! My 13-month old son is into everything, there isn’t an inch of our house that isn’t gated or locked. It feels like a fortress from within.
 
If you could live in a dream house, anywhere in the world, where would it be? 

I know you’re asking anywhere in the world … but I’m a homebody and one of my favourite places is Boomerang Beach on the NSW coast. I’d be more than happy to settle there, right on the beach.

Allison Langdon is a reporter for 60 Minutes and the co-host of Weekend Today on the Nine Network.