ONE: SORTING OUT YOUR FINANCE

This means buying a home from a builder that is yet to be built. Buying off-the-plan can be more affordable, but you need to factor in the time it takes to build a house amongst other factors. A concession for FHB is available if:

• the off-the-plan value of your property from the contracted price, (after deducting the construction costs incurred on or after the contract date) must be $750,000 or less.

Many buyers love the idea of building a home to their own requirements. Having the freedom to choose the house design, colours and upgrades that suit you and your family is very appealing. There are a multitude of home designs to choose from, so the best way to find the right home design for you is to visit display homes and play with online tools, such as our home configurator. Gather sales brochures to get an indication of prices, which can vary. You can find very affordable home designs or splash out on custom features and upgrades. Most buyers start with a basic design and selectively choose upgrades to suit their taste and budget.

The base price is the lowest price to build the home, with no upgrades. But if you choose to upgrade your flooring, fixtures or fittings, you’ll be quoted for extra costs that aren’t included in that base price. The base price typically has fairly standard fixtures and fittings, so upgrades add a considerable amount to your budget. Take notes of standard inclusions and the various packages that might be available.

You may need to cover site costs, as well as connecting amenities such as electricity, gas and plumbing. There may be land costs and landscaping charges, as well as council fees for driveways, or levies for bushfire or flood-prone areas.

You can lock in very generous promotions, gaining thousands of dollars in extras and upgrades with enticing promotions. They may be limited or come with restrictions, so read the fine print to determine which promotions are right for you.

Your builder will give you a detailed estimate of the costs for your chosen home design (and land, if you choose a package). This will include the base price costs, plus any promotions, upgrades and council charges, listed separately. You can then adjust selections according to your budget. Once it’s finalised, your builder will give you a detailed preliminary quotation, including a home design concept sketch. 

Want to check out different home designs and features? Our configurator tool allows you to choose between different home layouts, upgrades, facades and colour palettes, so you can make the decisions that best suit your range and budget.