Buying a new home can be a fun and exciting experience. But it can also be frazzling, especially if starting from scratch.
Even so, the housing sector in Australia has seen robust growth in the past months. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 17,497 new dwellings were approved in August 2022, representing a 28.1% increase from a month prior. Private sector homes also increased by 4.1% during the same period.
There are three primary options for acquiring a property. A would-be homeowner can purchase a finished property as a second owner or buy land for customised home construction. Additionally, some can approach companies offering home and land packages, which can be a good option for specific buyers.
Whether you’re looking for a home and land package or want to know more about this scheme, read on to understand what it is and what to expect before signing up.
How Does A Home And Land Package Work?
Property developers generally offer house and land packages in vast housing estates located on the fringes of the city centre. There are two primary ways to avail of new land and house packages.
The standard method involves an investor buying the land through a home loan and getting a construction loan to start building the property. Thus, it requires two separate loans and contracts. Sometimes, a lender might agree to lump these together to simplify the process.
Some developers offer a turnkey package, which indicates an already-constructed building. In such cases, buyers can move in quickly and enjoy cost transparency. With this option, builders can no longer increase their prices as the house is already completed, unlike the standard package, which may be subject to fluctuating costs depending on the materials and other considerations.
As house and land packages vary from firm to firm, buyers must know the conditions under the contract. For instance, some companies may impose higher fees for permits, landscaping, fences, lighting, and other amenities.
Now that you’ve understood how a house and land package works, it’s time to dig deeper into the subject.
-
Expect To Have Design Choices
One of the primary concerns of buying a home and land package is that there are limited or no design options. But this can’t be farther from the truth.
Home developers accommodate a wide range of buyers by offering standard and turnkey packages in various styles. Thus, you can have a traditional residence or a bespoke property with state-of-the-art features and amenities. This way, you can still have a property that fits your preferences and budget. It’s worth seeing the model homes with different sizes and amenities that appeal to you based on your lifestyle, needs, and budget.
Sometimes, a developer would allow owners to incorporate design customisations into their property, which can entail hefty costs.
-
Expect To Move In Relatively Quickly
Buying a previously owned home offers the shortest move-in period of three options for obtaining a property. Once you’ve paid the down payment, you can already transfer to your new home in a few days or weeks.
Similarly, a turnkey home and land package offer quick occupancy and the added convenience of being the first owner of a new dwelling. Even those who opt for a standard package will have shorter waiting times than buyers building a home on vacant land independently. Developers often allocate a few months to construct homes under these packages, whereas private home building can take up to two years due to the lengthy processes involved.
-
Expect To Have A Land Size And Other Restrictions
While buyers can have several design and size options, there might be less freedom regarding land sizes. House and land packages are built in a vast area of subdivided lots, so you’ll likely have the same yard size as your neighbours.
If yard size isn’t a priority to you, this shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. Typically, small homes and lots appeal to empty nesters or couples who don’t intend to expand their families. On the other hand, if you need a huge tract of land for the kids and pets, it’s better to consider other housing options.
Homeowners may likewise be limited from making specific changes to their exterior, for instance, adding a deck or a veranda on the second floor. Find out which remodelling projects are allowed to avoid frustrations moving forward.
-
Expect To Save On Costs
While the upfront costs for house and land packages can be at par or slightly more expensive than a resale property, you can expect to save on the former. Generally, buyers are charged a fixed price for the packages, except for additional features and small tweaks in the interior and exterior spaces.
Buying a house and lot is more cost-efficient than building one independently, which exposes you to the risks of going overboard. That’s because developers know where to source high-quality materials and order them in bulk, enabling them to pass their savings on to consumers. Constructions loans are also charged according to the construction progress, unlike home loans, where your amortisations are calculated based on the total loan amount.
Conclusion
Home and land package deals are worth looking into, especially if you’re on the market for a cost-effective and functionally stylish home. Unlike building a new property on your own, this option allows you to enjoy a newly-constructed dwelling in less time and at potentially lower costs.
While it may limit your exterior customisation and land size options, availing of a home and lot package generally addresses all your needs and wants in a dream home.
