Given the competitive local property market, there is a growing trend of more buyers choosing house and land packages in Perth to achieve their property goals. If you’re yet to go through the process yourself, you’ll be pleased to know the buying process in Perth is easier than you think. From selecting the right package, leveraging financial incentives and understanding both the legal and contractual considerations, there can be a bit to understand before signing on the dotted line.
As an experienced house and land provider in Western Australia since 1903, we wanted to provide a step-by-step guide to walk you through how to buy a house and land package in Perth, whilst sharing some of our insights and recommendations before taking on a new build.
If you still have questions by the end of this house and land buying guide, or you’re in the market for one of our house and land packages in Perth, we invite you to get in touch with our friendly team.
First Things First, Why Are House And Land Packages in Perth So Popular?
In Perth’s dynamic property market, house and land packages have emerged as an increasingly attractive option for homebuyers, offering a streamlined approach where the home design and suitable block of land are thoughtfully combined into one comprehensive package.
There are several benefits of choosing house and land packages in Perth, some include:
- Being able to custom build a home that suits your exact needs and preferences
- A refined construction process that translates into budget efficiencies
- New homeowners only pay stamp duty on the value of the land, not the house itself
- Financial Government support with Stamp Duty and grants for first-time buyers
- There is generally a lot less deposit required up front to secure your house and land
- New homes come with the peace of mind of a warranty to cover any future defects
- Fixed-price contracts are provided upfront so buyers avoid any hidden fees
- Tax incentives are also available if you’re a property investor
Further to the above, Perth’s median house sale price recorded 24.2% growth in 2024, with the median house sale price rising from $600,000 at the end of 2023 to $745,000 in December 2024, so the increased affordability from house and land packages in Perth has never been more of an industry talking point than it is now.
Whilst the above list is not exhaustive, it explains why more WA homeowners are choosing house and land packages in Perth given the highly competitive local property market.
Now that we understand this, let’s look at the process of how to buy a house and land package.
Step 1: Researching Locations and Builders
Before taking the first step, an essential decision to make is where to build, and which company to use for the project to ensure you get the result you want.
Whether it’s the greater central business district, coastal corridor or outer growth areas, location has always been seen as the most important factor when deciding where to live. Popular online sites like realestate.com.au and domain.com.au provide useful tools to gather suburb data like schools, transport links, infrastructure and local amenities – or you can engage a property expert for further guidance.
When evaluating potential builders, there are several factors to consider, ranging from the company’s track record of past projects, their portfolio of completed builds, and customer testimonials, the company’s financial stability, industry awards, warranties and property inclusions.
If you are in the early stages of shortlisting project builders, we welcome you to browse our Why Build With Us page which outlines several benefits of choosing Plunkett Homes as your preferred builder.
Step 2: Understanding Your Financial Options
Before diving into the specifics of how to buy a house and land package, an important first step is to fully understand the financial options available to you as a prospective homeowner in Western Australia.
Pre-Approval
Securing home loan pre-approval is also a crucial early step, requiring careful consideration of deposit requirements alongside a solid savings strategy to meet these requirements. Aligning yourself with an experienced financial advisor or mortgage broker will be an essential part of this process, so it pays to shop around for the best rates.
Your Upfront Deposit
A major benefit of securing off the plan is around the deposit, where house and land packages require less deposit from buyers. Established homes typically require around 20%, in contrast house and land packages usually require 10% deposit for the land loan and 2-5% deposit for the construction loan depending on the type of home.
Stamp Duty Concessions
Stamp Duty is an inevitable fee for most buyers and payable within a month of the completed property transaction. It is calculated by a combination of the property’s value and property type (new versus established), as well as any other exemptions/concessions the buyer is entitled to.
Some buyers are exempt from paying any stamp duty altogether, whilst others are entitled to paying less of a fee due to their property’s value. To find out if you’re eligible for any concessions, the WA Government website provides information on Concessions Available in Western Australia, alongside documentation around how to apply for an off the plan duty concession or rebate if you find you are eligible for something.
The First Home Owner’s Grant
First home buyers have access to the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) which can significantly reduce upfront financial requirements, helping first time buyers enter the market with up to $10,000 in government assistance. For more information on this, we recommend checking out the Duties Fact Sheet – First Home Owner Rate.
Further Government Support
For Western Australians who might need additional support, government initiatives like KeyStart loans offer alternative pathways to homeownership with lower deposit requirements, while it’s equally important to factor in additional costs such as site works, council requirements, and other fees that might not be immediately apparent in the initial package price.
Step 3: Choosing a Package That Suits Your Needs
Selecting the right house and land package is about more than just finding an attractive home design, it’s about ensuring the package aligns perfectly with your current and future lifestyle needs. See below for a list of crucial factors to consider factors when evaluating different house and land packages in Perth:
- Block size and orientation – the home’s slab and blueprint significantly impact your home’s design, particularly the energy efficiency capabilities, so this is an important initial consideration when scoping out your build.
- Inclusions and specifications – it is essential to understand what exactly you’re getting for your money, so you’ll need to explore specific details around materials, finishes and even appliance brands as these will not only affect your immediate comfort, but also influence long-term maintenance and running costs.
- Design choices and customisation options – we encourage our clients to consider future-proofing in their decision making to ensure their homes utilise thoughtful design and customisation options to promote longevity, lasting comfort and value for many years to come.
Whilst there are many more elements to consider ahead of a fresh build, the above list provides a good start when conducting your initial planning and scoping requirements. Explore our house and land packages or you visit one of our display homes below.
Step 4: Reviewing Contracts and Legal Considerations
Whilst you don’t need to be a legal expert to understand your legal obligations in the buying process for Perth property, it pays to understand the legalities of purchasing a new home.
In particular, the contract is an essential document to understand as it contains key elements like cooling-off periods, deposit requirements and financial commitments. Most contracts will also specify building timeframes and milestone payments, breaking down the construction process into manageable stages with associated financial triggers.
Equally important is understanding the warranties and insurance provisions that will protect your investment, as these safeguards provide peace of mind and financial protection throughout the construction process and beyond. We always advise seeking independent legal advice for this stage to ensure you fully understand all aspects of the transaction, from the contract itself to clauses and conditions.
Step 5: Construction Process Overview
Once you’ve decided on a property type and your finances are finalised, now comes the fun part – the build itself!
The first part of the process is the pre-construction approvals and site preparation, which can include detailed earthworks and necessary council permissions to ensure your block is ready for building. Your chosen builder will guide you through distinct construction stages, typically spanning between 6-12 months, with progress payments aligned to major milestones such as slab pour, frame completion, and lock-up stage.
Buyers will have several opportunities to be involved during these milestones, including site inspections, and regular meetings to track ongoing progress, ensuring all specifications and finishes are in line with your expectations.
Once construction is complete, buyers are then taken through a comprehensive handover process which includes a walkthrough of the new home, where you can review the final details – this is a great time to point out any adjustments needed.
Once this is all done and both parties are happy, the keys are handed over and the property is officially yours to live in!
How To Buy A House And Land Package With Plunkett Homes
Embarking on a house and land package journey requires careful planning and informed decision-making to ensure a smooth experience, so we hope the above house and land buying guide has provided you with enough insight ahead of considering your next project.
Drawing upon our over 120-year heritage, we understand the unique buying process in Perth and the requirements of the Western Australian market, and we continue to deliver thoughtfully designed homes that cater to blocks from six metres wide through to sprawling country properties.
If you are ready to take the first step, we welcome you to contact us to begin the process of building your very own custom dream home.
