First Home Buyer Guide to House & Land Packages

Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. A house and land package can be the most straightforward path, provided you understand how the process works and what government support is available.

Why a House and Land Package?

A house and land package combines the purchase of land with a building contract for your new home. Instead of buying an established property, you're buying a new home built to modern standards with a builder's warranty.

The advantages for first home buyers are significant:

**No stamp duty on the build component** — you only pay duty on the land

**Full builder's structural warranty** (typically 6 years in most states)

**Modern energy efficiency** — lower utility bills

**No immediate maintenance** — everything is new and covered

**Access to first home owner grants** that often require new construction

Government Support Available

First Home Guarantee (formerly FHOG)

Available to first home buyers with a 5% deposit. The government guarantees up to 15% of the property value, eliminating the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). For 2026, this scheme has been expanded with additional places allocated specifically for new builds.

First Home Owner Grant

Each state offers a grant for first home buyers purchasing or building a new home. The amount varies by state:

StateGrant AmountProperty Cap

|-------|-------------|--------------|

NSWUp to $10,000$600K (metro) / $750K (regional)VICUp to $10,000$750KQLDUp to $15,000$750KSAUp to $15,000$575KWAUp to $10,000$430K

Stamp Duty Concessions

Every state offers full or partial stamp duty exemptions for first home buyers. These can save you $15,000 to $30,000 depending on the purchase price and location. The key threshold is typically under $600K-$800K depending on your state.

House and Land vs Established Home

FactorHouse & Land PackageEstablished Home

|--------|---------------------|-----------------|

Deposit needed5% with guarantee5-20%Stamp dutyLand onlyFull purchase priceMaintenanceNone for 5+ yearsOngoingEnergy efficiency7-star minimumVariableBuilder warranty6 years structuralNone after settlementMove-in readyConstruction takes timeImmediateDepreciation claimsHigh (new build)Minimal

The Wholesale Advantage for First Home Buyers

Most first home buyers don't realise that wholesale pricing exists. When you purchase through a wholesale network, the same house and land package that costs $700K at retail can be $640K-$650K at wholesale.

For a first home buyer stretching to enter the market, that $50K-$60K difference can be the gap between approval and rejection, or between paying LMI and avoiding it entirely.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Check your borrowing power

Use the Borrowing Power Calculator in our portal to estimate your capacity. Factor in your deposit, income, and existing commitments.

Step 2: Research available grants

Check your state's first home owner grant and stamp duty concessions. These change frequently, so verify current rates.

Step 3: Find a suitable package

Look for packages in your budget that qualify for government grants. Packages under the grant cap in your state should be your primary focus.

Step 4: Secure finance

Get pre-approval from a lender or broker who understands house and land contracts. Two-part contracts (land separate from build) require specific lending structures.

Step 5: Reserve and sign

Once you've selected a package, pay a holding deposit to reserve the lot and design. Your builder will prepare the contracts for signing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

**Not budgeting for additional costs** — conveyancing, inspections, and connection fees add 3-5K

**Overlooking the land title timeline** — delays can affect your finance pre-approval expiry

**Choosing design over location** — the estate matters more than the facade

**Ignoring yield potential** — even as an owner-occupier, future resale value matters