TIP 1. Understand The Process
The home-building experience can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t HAVE to be. The more information you gather, the better – A good place to start is Our Process Page!
TIP 2. Are You Eligible For Grants?
You may be eligible to receive the Queensland Government’s first homeowners grant, which is a one-off payment to assist first-home buyers in getting into the property market. You could save $15,000 off your home purchase, find out more here.
TIP 3. Know Your Budget
Figure out how much money you’ll have access to cover the deposit as well as ongoing costs. Are you building your new home with your partner, or do you have a family member helping you? These are all very important things to keep in mind from the early stages.
TIP 4. Get Pre-approval On The Right Loan For You
One way to help make sure you’re ready to kick into gear is to get home loan pre-approval from your financial institution (they’re normally valid for 3 months, but check Terms & Conditions with your lender). While it isn’t final approval, it does mean the lender has agreed in principle to lend you the money. And it can assist you house-hunt with confidence because you’ll know you’ve got a particular budget or price range to stay within. It also shows brokers that you’re the real deal.
TIP 5. Understand Your Needs
What will you need or what will you want in a home – yes, there’s a difference! Put together a list of essential features you need in a home, such as number of bedrooms, parking spaces, school district, location, electricity, air-conditioning, etc. While you may want certain flooring or amenities such as a spa or pool, you can certainly live without it and they should not be a significant factor influencing your home build.
TIP 6. Discover Your Style
Discover the home design that works best for the life you love. Do you prefer a modern home, minimalist or industrial? You can narrow down your choices by outlining your goals, style preferences and budget. You can check out our New Home Designs page for some inspiration!
TIP 7. Find The Right Location
Choosing the right location is super important for a number of reasons. It needs to suit your lifestyle. Access to amenities, schools, shops, parks, restaurants and public transport are some of the things to keep in mind.
TIP 8. Purchase The Right Block Of Land
Understanding the potential “extra” site costs associated with the type of block is very important. For example, some sloping blocks may incur additional costs for retaining or excavation.
TIP 9. Choose The Right House Builder
Always make sure your chosen home builder is a registered builder, holds a current licence and has Public Liability Insurance.
In Queensland, QBCC is the statutory body that provides information, advice and regulation to ensure the maintenance of proper building standards and remedies for defective building work.
TIP 10. Sustainability
Installing sustainable features in your build can save you some significant cash in the long term. By making your home more energy efficient, you can reduce electricity bills, save water and increase the future-proofing of your home.
